Together Lorraine and Mongezi bring a very unique interpretation of Township music by performing and honoring the pioneers of the genre who include Dorothy Masuka, Miriam Makeba, the Dark City Sisters, Dolly Rathebe, Mahotella Queens and many more South African Township music singers and composers.

Lorraine & Mongezi decided to show gratitude to the dedicated artists who endured and survived some of the most brutal and humiliating experiences a human can experience while pursuing their musical careers to support their families. Both Lorraine & Mongezi experienced some of the conditions that this generation of artists experienced in South Africa during the dark years of apartheid but not to the extent experienced by these celebrated artists whose songs Lorraine and Mongezi are borrowing to remind Africans of the basic concept of gratitude. At the heart of this album are messages of African romantic courtships, wedding songs, social and political commentary, consciousness and cultural pride that is full of the elder’s wisdom. The Township music sound comes from a people who have endured and triumphed over very difficult times. Township music has preserved a lot of indigenous cultures of Africa through its flexibility in adapting to new technologies and has also influenced political and social change.

Lorraine Klaasen, the daughter of legendary South African Jazz singer Thandie Klaasen, is one of the few South African artists who have preserved the classic sound of Township music, which continues to be the most distinctive sound to come out of South Africa. Born and raised in Soweto, South Africa, and now based in Ontario, Canada, Lorraine has electrified audiences worldwide with her dynamic stage presence and showmanship. On Ukubonga Gratitude she teams up with long-time collaborator, guitarist and producer Mongezi Ntaka, a South African guitarist, composer, arranger, musical director and producer based in Washington, DC. His guitar playing incorporates several Southern African music styles including Kwela, Marabi, Mbaqanga, Mbira, African jazz and Township music. Mongezi has recorded, toured and performed with a wide range of South African and other African artists including the late Lucky Dube, Vusi Mahlasela, the late Hugh Masekela, Jonnas Gwangwa, Dave Matthews, Ray Phiri to name a few.