Two-time Grammy-winners Soweto Gospel Choir return with Hope, their first new album in four years, a moving concept album built around inspirational American Civil Rights anthems and popular "struggle songs" from the anti-apartheid movement in South Africa.
Hailing from the town of Soweto, the birthplace of South Africa’s democratic movement's struggle for freedom, Soweto Gospel Choir inspires audiences around the world with their powerful blend of African gospel, freedom songs, U.S. civil rights songs, and international classics. Highlights on Hope include moving versions of Curtis Mayfield's "Amen," Stevie Wonder's "Heaven Help Us All," and Hugh Masekela's "Sechaba" from the hit musical Sarafina.
Formed in 2002, their first album, Voices Of Heaven, went on to reach the No. 1 spot on Billboard’s World Music Chart within 3 weeks of its release in the US. This success was followed up with a win at the American Gospel Music Award for “Best Choir.” And it just got better from there. One of the more amazing moments in their impressive run, in 2006, the choir performed as invited guests for their Patron, Archbishop Desmond Tutu’s 75th birthday celebrations, in front of an illustrious audience which included former President Nelson Mandela, Mrs. Zanele Mbeki, Tokyo Sexwale, Samuel L. Jackson, Alfre Woodard, and Carlos Santana.
In addition, Soweto Gospel Choir is an ambassador for Nelson Mandela’s 46664 campaign and has performed at the Cape Town, Johannesburg, London and New York concerts with artists such as Peter Gabriel, Bono, Queen, Jimmy Cliff, Johnny Clegg, Eddie Grant, Amy Winehouse, Queen Latifah, Wyclef Jean, Aretha Franklin and Stevie Wonder.