Strike Vilakazi

Strike David Vilakazi (also written Vilakezi) was a South African vocalist, drummer, trumpeter, composer, and music producer. "Meadowlands" was set to an "infectious jive beat". It featured music writer Todd Matshikiza on the piano. The lyrics of the song were written in three languages; IsiZulu, SeSotho, and tsotsitaal, or street slang. He was among the first musicians to affiliate with the organisation South African Society of Composers, Authors, and Music Publishers, which sought to represent musicians in some legal matters. In 1962, its functions were largely taken over by the Southern African Music Rights Organisation (SAMRO). In 1954, he recorded Spokes Mashiyane playing the pennywhistle, and would later persuade Mashiyane that the same music would sound better on a saxophone. The music that resulted has been described as the earliest style of mbaqanga, a genre that would remain popular among black South Africans for many years.

Appropriation In 1974 Bertha Egnos produced the musical Ipi Tombi. Vilakezi charged that she had appropriated some of his recorded music in the musical's hit song "Mama Thembu's Wedding". Vilakezi's allegation was supported by an investigation by SAMRO. However, he was unable to obtain redress in court. Commentators have referred to this episode as an example of the widespread appropriation of black South African music (both traditional and contemporary, recorded music) by white artists, who then profited from it.