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Solomon Linda was a humble artist just trying to make his way. One day he opened his mouth, and the most beautiful sounds spilled out. Little did he know, it’d become a worldwide classic – but he wouldn’t get the credit!
Linda recorded “Mbube” in the 1930s as a record packer at Gallo Record Company in South Africa. He was just freestyling, but a few years later, it was a hit!
He sold the rights to Gallo for the equivalent of about 87 cents today. Then it was recorded and became a hit. Years later, instead of lawfully returning the rights to his family, they kept profiting.
White musicians and bands from the U.S. to England had their way with “Mbube” without crediting Linda. He died penniless in 1962, and his descendants have been fighting for his legacy.
Today, Linda’s song is a worldwide classic, especially since it was featured in Disney’s “The Lion King” – but Disney didn’t give Linda credit either.
Finally, in 2020, Beyonce made the film Black is King – and used the song’s original version, crediting Linda as the composer, so his family could finally get their just due!
No matter where we are in the diaspora, we must always tell the truths of our history and reclaim credit for our accomplishments. White supremacy can try to erase us, but it will always fail!