Ihashi Elimhlophe

Bio

Ihashi Elimhlophe, born Bheki Ngcobo in KwaBiyela, KwaZulu-Natal, is a maskandi singer and guitarist whose stage name means 'the white horse'. He leaves for Johannesburg in 1976, starts out as bass guitarist for the Soul Brothers and fronts their junior group Imitshotshovu before his solo breakthrough with Wololo in 1986, playing a rare 14-string guitar.

Four decades and more than 29 albums later, he is among maskandi's most prolific cross-genre collaborators, working with hip-hop, jazz, kwaito and gospel artists, performing in more than 25 countries and receiving an honorary doctorate for his contribution to music. In September 2022 he becomes the first maskandi artist to record a live DVD at the Soweto Theatre. He now leads an Eastern Cape government-backed mentorship project developing nine emerging maskandi artists, with family close by: his wife of over 37 years, singer Linah 'Ebony' Ngcobo, is his promoter, and their children perform as Amaponi.

Verified facts

• Became the first maskandi artist to record a live DVD at the Soweto Theatre, with performances on 16–17 September 2022.Mail & Guardian
• Has over four decades in music and more than 29 albums; his breakthrough came with Wololo (1986) after years in groups including Imitshotshovu.Mail & Guardian
• Received an honorary doctorate for his contribution to music and has performed in more than 25 countries, collaborating across hip-hop, jazz, kwaito and gospel.Mail & Guardian
• Leads a mentorship project, backed by the Eastern Cape government, developing nine emerging maskandi recording artists across the province's districts.SABC News
• Married for over 37 years to singer Linah 'Ebony' Ngcobo, who became his promoter; their children perform together as Amaponi.Mail & Guardian
• Born Bheki Ngcobo, he moved from KwaBiyela to Johannesburg in 1976 and began as bass guitarist for the Soul Brothers, who made him lead singer of their junior group Imitshotshovu; his stage name means 'the white horse' and he is known for playing a rare 14-string guitar.Music In Africa

Notable work

• Wololo (1986)
• Soweto Theatre live DVD recording (2022)

Categories

Music & Links