The Manhattan Brothers stands as one of the most significant vocal groups in the history of South African music. Active in the late 1940s and 1950s, they frequently appeared on South African television and radio, leaving a lasting impact on subsequent generations through their distinctive style, speech, attitude, and lifestyle. They made history as the first South African group to secure a spot on the Billboard Top 100 chart with their hit "Lovely Lies," which reached number 45 in March 1956. Their influence on South African music has endured over the years, exemplified by a celebration of their first CD, The Best of The Manhattan Brothers, which took place at the Blues Room in Sandton in October 1999, featuring a performance by a group known as the Junior Manhattan Brothers.

The roots of The Manhattan Brothers trace back to the early 1930s, when four vocalists—Joe Mogotsi, Rufus Khoza, Ronnie Majola Sehume, and the group's leader, Nathan Dambuza Mdledle—were students at the Pimville Government School. They recorded their first singles in 1948, quickly ascending to superstardom in their home country. However, their fame was marred by the struggles they faced under apartheid, as attempts to perform outside South Africa were consistently thwarted by the government. In a 1999 interview, Mogotsi recounted, "We were victimized because we refused to perform in the Van Riebeeck Festival in Cape Town."

Accompanying The Manhattan Brothers were some of the finest musicians in South Africa. Their band, led by composer and saxophonist Mackay Davashe, included saxophonist Kippie Moeketsi, drummer General Duze, and pianist Sol Klaaste. The ensemble later expanded with the addition of Hugh Masekela and Jonas Gwangwa, eventually being renamed The Jazz Dazzlers.

In the early 1950s, The Manhattan Brothers further broadened their sound by incorporating female vocalist Miriam Makeba. Their first recording with Miriam Makeba, "Lakutshona Ilanga," was released in 1953. Five years later, they showcased their talents in the musical King Kong, with Nathan Dambuza Mdledle portraying the black African boxer Ezekiel "King Kong" Dlemani, Joe Mogotsi as a gangster, and Khoza and Sehume as gang members. Miriam Makeba starred as the female lead. The musical achieved great success, leading the troupe to perform in England in 1961. However, a shift in the South African government during their time in England prevented their return, and they opted to remain there. Although they continued to perform initially, Sehume exited the group within a few months and was succeeded by Walter Loate.

By the 1990s, The Manhattan Brothers had become a part of music history. While Mogotsi remained active as the leader of a London-based band, Joe Mogotsi and the Manhattans, Khoza, and Sehume retired from music, and Nathan Dambuza Mdledle had passed away.

Interest in The Manhattan Brothers was rekindled with the release of the documentary video Songs From the Golden City. This resurgence in popularity was further marked by the 1999 release of a 20-track album, The Best of The Manhattan Brothers, which included two previously unreleased songs, "Hlompa" and "Be My Guest." Just prior to the album's release, Joe Mogotsi and Khoza made their return to South Africa.