Paul Simon's landmark album, 'Graceland', marks its 40th anniversary today, Thursday, 20 August 2026. The album, released in 1986, is being re-examined for its musical innovation and the complex legacy of its production in South Africa during apartheid.
The genesis of 'Graceland' began in 1984 when Simon, then 43, was listening to a bootleg tape of South African mbaqanga music. This accordion-heavy style, featuring jazz rhythms and bright guitar chords, inspired him to explore new musical directions.
Simon subsequently booked jam sessions in Johannesburg in February 1985, working with various South African bands such as General MD Shirinda and the Gaza Sisters, Tao Ea Matsekha, and the Boyoyo Boys. During these sessions, Simon developed melodies and wrote lyrics, often building on the groups' existing grooves.
The album's creation was not without controversy. Simon faced criticism for recording in South Africa, with some believing it violated the United Nations' 1980 cultural boycott against the apartheid government. Ashley Kahn, author of the new book 'Days of Miracle and Wonder', suggests Simon aimed for fair compensation, paying South African musicians triple the daily rate of American union musicians. However, Simon was censured by the UN's special committee against apartheid, a decision later reversed after he clarified his understanding of the ban focused on performance, not recording.