Tributes Pour In For Legendary Musician Pat Shange

Another tree has fallen

By  | Jul 16, 2021, 11:07 AM  | Top of the

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The South African music industry is mourning yet another legendary musician, Pat Shange, known to some as Bra Pat — who has sadly passed away at the age of 65 .

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The legendary musician heated up the dance floor in the 1980s and 1990s with a music genre called Bubblegum music; releasing hit albums such as I am not a Casanova, Hlengiwe and Ngeke ngikulobole.

Bubblegum music was a form of pop music that was popular in South Africa in the 1980s. The sound was a distinctive mix of vocals, electronic keyboards and synthesisers. This kind of music appealed to the younger generation of urbanised South Africans and featured energetic beats that were easy to dance to. Bubblegum music borrowed its sound from the traditional sounds of mbaqanga, marabi and kwela, so bubblegum was deep set in South African townships and their culture. It was a fun genre of feel-good beats and progressive vocals. Musicians such as Gospel music legend Rebecca Malope, Yvonne Chaka Chaka and Brenda Fassie were amongst many who advanced this genre.

The news of Pat Shange's passing was announced on social media by singer Winnie Khumalo. In an Instagram post, she wrote: "May your soul Rest in Peace Bra Pat."

The Pietermaritzburg-born musician is reported to have passed on due to COVID-19 related complications on Tuesday, 13 July — this according to SowetanLive who spoke to the artist's wife, Patricia Shange.

The couple had been married for 33 years, and according to Mrs Shange, her husband was fun to be around and full of jokes.

“He was a bubbly person and loved jokes. Pat was very loud and loved fashion. He enjoyed arguing I even said to him that he was supposed to be a lawyer. Pat would argue with you even if you are right until you end up feeling that you are the one who is wrong. He was full of jokes and loved music.

“I noticed that lately, Pat was very frustrated by the fact that he could not work due to lockdown. He recently released a mbaqanga album but it did not do well because of what is happening in the country. Not being able to work was really frustrating him.”

Social media users, including the Southern African Music Rights Organisation (SAMRO), paid tribute to the music legend; thanking him for the memories under the hashtag #RIPPatShange.

@SAMROMusic: "We are saddened by the news of another music giant that has fallen. Legendary 80s bubble gum singer, Pat Shange has passed on. The music industry continues to lose its pioneers. Condolences to his family, friends, and fans."

@chuc02: "I was introduced to #PatShange by my dad who had a few of his LPs. I remember the songs Anytime Baby and Shayile Time. May his soul rest in peace."

@mehlulisizwe: "Rest in Peace Pat Shange….. we grew up to your music and our memories are so attached to your existence….May your legacy live on."

@RealBeefactor: "Grew up listening to Pat Shange's music.Sundays were about such sounds. Another South African Music legend has passed away."

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Image credit: Twitter 
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