Background
Ray Phiri was born near Nelspruit in East Transvaal, now the modern-day Mpumalanga province, in South Africa.
Ray Phiri was born near Nelspruit in East Transvaal, now the modern-day Mpumalanga province, in South Africa.
When the Cannibals disbanded Ray founded Stimela, with whom he conceived gold and platinum-selling albums like Fire, Passion and Ecstacy (1991), Look, Listen and Decide (1992) as well as the controversial People Don"t Talk So Let"s Talk. In 1985, Paul Simon asked Ray along with Ladysmith Black Mambazo to join his Graceland project, which was successful and also helped the South African musicians to make names for themselves abroad. Ray was to collaborate with Paul Simon again on Simon"s Rhythm of the Saints album, which saw him perform on stages such as Central Park and Madison Square Garden as well as appearing on top television shows in the United States of America. In 2012 Paul Simon organised a Graceland anniversary tour which Ray also participated in.
Phiri has received many awards in recognition for his contribution in the music industry, one of these is the Order of Ikhamanga in Silver awarded to him by the South African president This was to honor his sterling contribution to the South African music industry and the successful use of arts as an instrument of social transformation.
He became founding member of the Cannibals in the 1970s.
