Ben Shabalala, a longtime member of South Africa's most famous ensemble, Ladysmith Black Mambazo, has been shot and killed in unknown circumstances, the group's record company said. He was in his late 40s.
Shabalala, whose brother Joseph founded and still leads the group, was killed on June 16 in a Durban suburb, said Mike Wilpizeski, a spokesperson for the United States-based Heads Up International record label. Police were investigating on Tuesday.
Ben Shabalala first joined the band in 1979, lending his voice to Paul Simon's Graceland album, which captivated world audiences and won the Grammy Award for album of the year in 1986.
He was also part of Ladysmith Black Mambazo's Shaka Zulu recording, which also picked up a Grammy for best traditional folk album the following year.
After years of touring the world, Shabalala retired from the band in 1993 to spend more time with his family.
The group, which fuses Zulu and gospel music traditions, is on tour promoting their latest release Raise Your Spirit Higher, which celebrates the 10th anniversary of the end of apartheid. They have decided to continue the tour in honour of his memory.
"Ben was not just my brother, but is a part of my history," Joseph Shabalala said in a statement.
"He is a part of Ladysmith Black Mambazo's legacy. While his life has ended in this terrible way, his voice, his memory and his spirit will continue on with Ladysmith Black Mambazo."
Ben Shabalala is survived by his wife and four children.
A funeral is planned for Saturday in Durban.