Graceland (album)

Graceland is the seventh solo studio album by American singer-songwriter Paul Simon, released on August 12, 1986, by Warner Bros. Records. After a period of writer's block following his previous album Hearts and Bones, Simon became fascinated by a bootleg cassette of South African township music. This sparked a creative journey that led him to collaborate with several South African musicians, including Ladysmith Black Mambazo, as well as musicians from other countries like Los Lobos.

The album is notable for its fusion of pop, rock, and world music, particularly the incorporation of mbaqanga rhythms and instrumentation. The lyrics explore themes of displacement, identity, and reconciliation, often told through narrative storytelling.

Graceland was initially controversial due to the United Nations cultural boycott of South Africa, which aimed to pressure the apartheid regime. Simon was accused of breaking the boycott by recording with South African musicians. He defended his actions, arguing that the collaboration brought attention to South African music and culture, ultimately helping to dismantle apartheid.

Despite the controversy, Graceland was a critical and commercial success, winning the Grammy Award for Album of the Year in 1987. It has been praised for its innovative sound, thoughtful lyrics, and its role in introducing South African music to a wider global audience. It is considered one of Simon's most acclaimed works and a landmark album in the history of popular music. Notable singles include "You Can Call Me Al," "The Boy in the Bubble," and "Diamonds on the Soles of Her Shoes." The album's success spawned a concert film and a documentary exploring its creation and impact.