Ambitiouz Entertainment

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Ambitiouz Entertainment
Ambitiouz Entertainment logo.jpeg
Official logo
Parent companyAmbitiouz Group (Pty) Ltd
Founded2015;9 years ago (2015)
FounderKgosi Mahumapelo
Distributor(s)Nyce Entertainment
GenreHip-hop
Country of originFlag of South Africa.svg  South Africa
Location Midrand, South Africa
Official website ambitiouz.co.za

Ambitiouz Entertainment is a South African independent record label owned and founded by Kgosi Mahumapelo. The label was founded in April 2015 and houses notable acts including, G-Star Da Hustler, Burning Crew Kid Tini and Kiddest Gola. [1] [2]

Contents

History

2014–2016: Birth and growth

The label was birthed in the first half of 2014, boasting 3 unknown acts, namely Emtee, Fifi Cooper and B3nchMarQ. In just a few months, these acts were considered some of the biggest names in the South African music industry, thus cementing Ambitiouz Entertainment as one of the most sought after record labels in South Africa.

2017: A-Reece, Fifi Cooper, B3nchMarQ & Flvme exit & controversy

The record label went under much scrutiny after artists Fifi Cooper, B3nchMarQ, A-Reece, and Flvme left the label in a very public and ugly fight. [3] [4] The artists claimed that they decided to part ways with the record label due to financial disagreements.

In late 2017, the record label filed a lawsuit against former artist Cooper, banning her from performing any and all songs that she had released while under the label. This caused an uproar from fans and supporters of the artist. The political party EFF stepped in to assist Cooper in the legal battle, which she eventually won. [5]

2018-2020: Amanda Black lawsuit and more exits

Mid-2018, their biggest act at the time, Amanda Black announced that she would be parting ways with the controversial record label and signed a joint-venture with Sony Music Entertainment. She then proceeded to sue the record label for over 1 million Rand that was owed to her for unpaid performances, which she won. Following Amanda Black's exit were Emtee, Priddy Ugly, Gigi Lamayne, KLY, DJ Citi Lyts, Saudi & NEO. In May 2020, Sjava departed the label. [6]

2021-2023>Present: Blaq Diamond, Malome Vector&Miss Pru.

Blaq Diamond were guests in "Podcast and Chill with MacG" were they announced that they've parted ways with Ambitiouz Entertainment in December 2021 on good terms, also indicating that they wanted to focus on the international market even though the label does well in the local market regarding their music. Malome Vector also parted ways with Ambitiouz Entertainment later in the year after forming his own record label. Later in 2023, Miss Pru announced that joining the label was an amazing experience but she also has a her own path to follow and left the label.

Discography

Studio albums

YearArtistAlbum TitleAlbum detailsCertification
2015 Fifi Cooper 20FIFI
Emtee Avery
  • Released: 4 December 2015
  • Formats: CD, digital download
RiSA: 2× Platinum
2016 Sjava Isina Muva
  • Released: 22 July 2016
  • Formats: CD, digital download
RiSA: Gold
A-Reece Paradise
  • Released: 21 October 2016
  • Formats: CD, digital download
Amanda Black Amazulu
  • Released: 11 November 2016
  • Formats: CD, digital download
RiSA: 3× Platinum
2017Emtee Manando
  • Released: 15 September 2017
  • Formats: CD, digital download
2017Blaq DiamondInqola
  • Released: 22 November 2017
  • Formats: CD, digital download
2020Blaq DiamondUmuthi
  • Released: 31 January 2020
  • Formats: digital download
2021Kid TiniThe Second Coming
  • Released: 18 December 2020
  • Formats: digital download
2021CiciSukulila
  • Released: 3 September 2021
  • Formats: digital download
2022Malome VectorKarabo
2022Intaba Yase DubaiAmagama
  • Released: 23 April 2022
  • Formats: digital download

Extended plays

YearArtistEP TitleEP Details
2016 A-Reece Cutaways EP
  • Released: 29 September 2016
  • Formats: Digital download
2019Kid TiniSound Mind EP
  • Released: 29 September 2016
  • Formats: Digital download

Related Research Articles

Mthembeni Ndevu, professionally known by his stage name Emtee is a South African rapper. He was born and grew up in Rockville, Soweto, where he was involved in talent shows. His career began at the age of 17, and his debut hit single, "Roll Up" was released in 2015. Emtee was signed to Ambitiouz Entertainment, released his debut album Avery (2015), which was commercially successful and was eventually certified platinum by Recording Industry of South Africa (RiSA).

<i>Avery</i> (album) 2015 studio album by Emtee

Avery is the debut studio album by South African rapper and singer Emtee, released on 4 December 2015, through Ambitiouz Entertainment.

Refilwe Boingotlo Moeketsi, known professionally as Fifi Cooper is a South African recording artist. Fifi Cooper started her music career as an R&B singer before her musical versatility saw her release her breakthrough rap single "Chechela Morago" in 2010. In 2015, she released her award-winning debut studio album 20FIFI.

<i>20Fifi</i> 2015 studio album by Fifi Cooper

20FIFI is the debut studio album of South African recording artist Fifi Cooper. It was released on 13 November 2015 under Ambitiouz Entertainment.

<i>Paradise</i> (A-Reece album) 2016 studio album by A-Reece

Paradise is the debut studio album by South African hip-hop artist A-Reece. It was released by Ambitiouz Entertainment on 21 October 2016. It features guest appearances from Emtee, P-Jay and Amanda Black. Paradise topped the iTunes chart under 24 hours of release.

Lehlogonolo Ronald Mataboge, known professionally as A-Reece, is a South African rapper, songwriter and record producer. He was raised in Pretoria, Gauteng.

MTV Base: SA's Hottest MCs is an annual segment that has aired on MTV Base at the end of every year since 2014. The segment consists of a panel of judges who are South African hip hop performers or personalities associated with the South African hip hop genre. The finalists of the list are judged based on impact, lyrics, sales, buzz, style and intangibles.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Amanda Black</span> South African singer and songwriter

Amanda Benedicta Antony, known professionally as Amanda Black, is a South African singer and songwriter. Born and raised in Gcuwa her career began in 1999 at the age of 6 singing in church choirs. Amanda was a contestant on Idols South Africa season 11. Black relocated to Johannesburg in 2016 to pursue her career in music. She signed a record deal with Ambitiouz Entertainment in 2016 and achieved recognition in same year following the release of her hit single "Amazulu", which was nominated for several music awards.

<i>Manando</i> (album) 2017 studio album by Emtee

Manando is the second studio album by South African rapper and singer Emtee, released by Ambitiouz Entertainment on September 15, 2017 and features guest appearances from fellow Ambitiouz label-mates Sjava and Saudi, as well as Nigerian singer Tiwa Savage. The album was produced by Ruff, Tweezy, Christer, Lunatik, Ron Epidemic and Bizz Boy.

"Separate" is a song by South African singer Amanda Black, released as the second single from her debut studio album Amazulu. It was sent to radio stations across South Africa in late 2016. Upon its release, the song topped charts on Metro FM. It peaked at number 1 on the South African iTunes R&B Chart. "Separate" was written by Ambitiouz Entertainment label mate, Sjava and produced by Christer, who also acts as Amanda Black's music director.

Jabulani Hadebe, known professionally as Sjava, is a South African singer, rapper, and actor. He began his acting career in 2005, starring in several drama series and films including uGugu no Andile (2009). He then rose to prominence on the drama series Zone 14, where he starred for three consecutive seasons, Isibaya and the second season of eHostela. Sjava ventured into the music industry and signed to record label Ambitiouz Entertainment. He gained mainstream popularity after he was featured on Miss Pru's acclaimed song "Ameni" in 2015.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Me and You (Emtee song)</span> 2017 single by Emtee featuring Tiwa Savage

"Me and You" is a song by South African rapper Emtee. It is the lead single from his sophomore studio album, Manando.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lunatik (record producer)</span> South African producer / disc jockey

Mnqobi Nxumalo, professionally known as Lunatik is a recording artist, songwriter, and record producer born in the town of Empangeni, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. He founded the hip hop sub-genre known as Skhanda along with South African rapper K.O.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Amanda Black discography</span>

South African singer Amanda Black has released three studio albums, eleven singles and seven music videos. She achieved recognition in 2016 following the release of her hit single "Amazulu", which was nominated for several music awards. Her debut studio album Amazulu was certified platinum three weeks after its official release. Black's music has been released through record labels Ambitiouz Entertainment, Sony Music, and her own label AfroRockstar.

Blaq Diamond is a South African Afro pop duo from Ladysmith KwaZulu-Natal. They met in 2010 on a school trip where both participated in a music cypher in the school bus. They signed to record label Ambitiouz Entertainment, releasing their debut album Inqola (2017), which became their first iTunes number one.

The 23rd Annual South African Music Awards was held on May 27, 2017, at Sun City Resort and were hosted by Tumi Morake and Somizi Mhlongo. The nominees were announced on April 20, 2017. Nasty C lead the nominations with 6, followed by Kwesta 5.

Umqhele is the second studio album by South African singer and songwriter Sjava. It was released on December 14, 2018, by Ambitiouz Entertainment. The album was produced by Mace and Ruff.

Ofentse Mwase is a South African director, filmmaker and the founder of Ofentse Mwase Films. Born and raised in Rustenburg, North West, Mwase studied film and cinematography at AFDA, The School for the Creative Economy.

Prudence Sebalo, is a South African DJ and record producer prominently known under the alias of Miss Pru DJ. She gained recognition subsequent to the release of her single "Ameni" with guest appearances from Sjava, Emtee, Saudi, A-Reece, Fifi Cooper and B3nchmarQ.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ameni (song)</span> 2016 single by Miss Pru DJ

"Ameni" is a single by South African DJ and record producer Miss Pru DJ released on 16 April 2016 through Ambitiouz Entertainment, features guest appearances from Sjava, Emtee, Saudi, Fifi Cooper, A-Reece and B3nchmarQ with production from Tweezy, Lunatik Beats, Emtee and Ruff.

References

  1. Dayile, Qhama (11 April 2016). "Ambitiouz artists on the rise". DRUM Magazine. Retrieved 29 May 2016.
  2. Makhubo, Phumla (8 December 2015). "Hip Hop Pair on the Rise!". Daily Sun (South Africa). Retrieved 29 May 2016.
  3. "Fifi Cooper, B3nchmarq and A Reece Leave Ambitiouz | People Magazine". www.peoplemagazine.co.za. Archived from the original on 2017-12-30. Retrieved 2017-12-29.
  4. "The leaving of Ambitiouz Entertainment artists shouldn't come as a surprise". ZAlebs. Retrieved 2017-12-29.
  5. "EFF offers to help Fifi Cooper fight Ambitiouz Entertainment" . Retrieved 2017-12-29.
  6. Sjava indlalifa [@Sjava_atm] (May 26, 2020). "Statement by Sjava: Sjava departs Ambitiouz" (Tweet). Retrieved 26 May 2020 via Twitter.
  7. "20Fifi by Fifi Cooper". 13 November 2015. Retrieved 29 May 2016.