Kelly Khumalo | |
---|---|
Nonhlanhla | |
![]() Khumalo on a Podcast & Chill With MacG interview | |
Born | Kelly Nonhlanhla Khumalo 11 November 1984 |
Other names | Voice of Africa |
Occupations |
|
Years active | 2004–present |
Television | Life with Kelly Khumalo Rhythm City Zulu Wedding |
Partner(s) | Senzo Meyiwa (until his death; 2014) Jub Jub (until; 2011) Chad da Don |
Children | 3 |
Kelly Nonhlanhla Khumalo (born 11 November 1984) is a South African singer, actress, and television personality. [1] Born in Vosloorus and later moved to Nquthu, KwaZulu-Natal, where she grew up.
Khumalo was discovered while performing at a gospel talent search and signed a record deal with Bonsai Entertainment, released her début studio album, T.K.O (2005). [2] She shot to fame after the release of her début album, T.K.O (2005). [3] She was named the Best Newcomer of 2005 in the Afro Pop music circuit. The Past, the Present, the Future album was released in November 2012. In May 2013, She scooped an award at the 19th South African Music Awards. [4] [5]
Khumalo's ninth album, The Voice of Africa (2020), [6] which incorporated elements of R&B, gospel and Afro pop. The album was certified gold in South Africa.
Kelly Khumalo was born in Katlehong and moved to KwaZulu-Natal. She relocated to Gauteng in 1997. [7]
Kelly's début solo album T.K.O was released on 19 August 2005, in South Africa, and earned her two nominations, Song of the Year and Best Afro Pop Album at the 2006 South African Music Awards. [7]
On September 27, 2006, her second studio album Itshitshi was released.
On November 5, 2012, The Past, The Present, The Future album was released in South Africa. [8] [9] At the 19th SAMA awards (2013) her album The Past, The Present, The Future was nominated for Best Maskandi Album, Album of the Year, Best African Adult Album and won the Best Female Artist of the Year award. [10] [11] [12]
In October 2014, the single "Asine" was released and nominated for Song of The Year at Metro FM Awards (2015), and her album, Back to my Roots for Best African Pop Album and nominated for Best African Adult Album at South African Music Awards XXXI (2015). [13] [14]
Kelly began recording her seventh studio album in March 2016. [15] On October 28, 2016, her seventh studio album My Truth was released. My Truth won Best Female Album at 2017 Metro FM Awards. [16]
In January 2018, Kelly began to work on her eighth studio album, and released its lead single "Jehovah" on 9 July 2018, featuring J F.L.O. [17]
On October 9, she announced second single "Dance Comigo" on her Instagram, which was released on 12 October 2018. [17]
On November 5, 2018, her album Unleashed was released in South Africa. [18] The album was produced by Mondli Ngcobo.
On August 28, her single "Empini" was released as the album's lead single. The song was certified gold by the Recording Industry of South Africa with sales of 80 000 units and garnered 12 million views on YouTube. [19] [20] Her ninth studio album The Voice of Africa was released on October 9, 2020. Production was handled by Mondli Ngcobo. The Voice of Africa was certified gold with sales of 25 000 units in South Africa. [21] At the 6th ceremony of All Africa Music Awards, her single "Empini" received nomination for Best Female Artist in South Africa. [22]
"Esiphambaweni" featuring South African singer Hlengiwe Mhlaba, peaked number one in the gospel charts. [23] [24] [25] At the 27th South African Music Awards, The Voice of Africa received a nomination as Best Afro-pop Album.
In November 2021, she recorded The Voice of Africa live version. [26]
In April 2022, Khumalo performed at her first annual Gospel Explosion Concert, which included two dates, 15-16 April held at the Lyric Theatre in Johannesburg. [27] [28]
On 28 April, following the success of two dates, she added one more date that was held at Vaal on 28 May. [29]
In late August 2022, Kelly announced the From a God to a King tour, scheduled to start off on Saturday 17 September at Carnival City, Boksburg. [30] [31]
Khumalo also announced her 10th album, From a God to a King. [31] "Bazokhuluma" featuring Zakwe and Mthunzi was released on 4 November 2022, as the album's lead single. [32] The album was released on 14 February 2023.
In 2021, she started her reality show Life with Kelly Khumalo airs on Showmax. [33] In September 2021, she appeared on House of Zwide, television soapie airs on eTV. [34]
In September 2021, Khumalo was announced as Judge on Stand Up S.A. [35]
Towards the end of 2021, she was a guest judge on Idols South Africa season 17. [36] [37]
In early April 2022, she was announced as a competitor on Tropika Island of Treasure, season 10. [38]
On 26 October 2014, her boyfriend Senzo Meyiwa, former captain of the South Africa national football team and club side Orlando Pirates, with whom she has a child, was shot dead in her presence at her family's home in Vosloorus. [39] [40] It is alleged that the killer is known to Khumalo and everyone present at the shooting, but she has remained silent on whom the killer is.
In October 2020, five men were charged with murdering Meyiwa. [41] The suspects denied that they were involved in the killing. [41] it was also found that Kelly was communicating with one of the suspects through cellphone before and after the death of Senzo Meyiwa
Speaking out about having been in an abusive relationship, in 2012 Khumalo became an advocate against domestic violence. [42] She confessed to being a drug addict for at least two years during her relationship with the singer Molemo Maarohanye; she attended Narcotics Anonymous meetings. [43]
Title | Album details | Certifications |
---|---|---|
TKO |
| |
Itshitshi |
| |
Siyajabula |
| |
Simply Kelly |
| |
The Past,The Present,The Future |
| |
Back to My Roots |
| |
My Truth |
| |
Unleashed |
| |
The Voice of Africa |
| |
From a God to a King |
|
Title | Year | Peak chart positions | Certifications | Album |
---|---|---|---|---|
RSA | ||||
Undithatha Kancani | 2019 | The Voice Of Africa | ||
"Empini" | 2020 | 1 [25] | 4× Platinum [24] | |
"Esiphambanweni" (featuring Hlengiwe Mhlaba) | 1 [24] | 2× Platinum [24] | ||
"Ngathwala Ngaye" (featuring Mondli Ngcobo) | 2021 | Platinum [24] |
![]() |
Year | Award Ceremony | Nominated work | Result | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|
2013 | SAMA | Best Female Artist | Won | [4] |
Album of the Year | Nominated | |||
Best African Adult Album | Nominated | |||
Best Maskandi Album | Nominated | |||
2015 | 14th Metro FM Awards | Song of the Year | Nominated | [45] [46] [47] |
Best Afro Pop album | Nominated | |||
2019 | 25th SAMA | Female Artist of the Year | Nominated | [48] |
Best Afro Pop Album | Nominated | |||
2020 | 1st KZNEA | Best Female Artist of the Year | Nominated | [49] |
2021 | 27th SAMA | Best Afro pop Album | Nominated | [50] |
Record of the Year | Nominated | |||
Saafma | Best Song of the Year | ![]() | [51] | |
Best Female Artist | ![]() | |||
Best Collaboration | ![]() | |||
2021 | All Africa Music Awards | Songwriter of the Year | Nominated | [52] |
Best Female Artist in African Inspirational Music | Nominated | |||
Best Female Artist in South Africa | Nominated | |||
2023 | Basadi in Music Awards | Afro Pop Artist of the Year | Won | |
SAMA | Female Artist of the Year | Nominated | ||
Best Afro-pop Album | Nominated | |||
2024 | Basadi in Music Awards | Sofnfree Afro Pop Artist of the Year | Nominated | [53] |
Best Styled Artist of the Year | Nominated | |||
Music Video of the Year | Nominated |
Simphiwe Dana is a South African singer and songwriter who works mostly in her mother tongue, the Xhosa language. Dana is also known for her creative social commentary and activism through music as a political art form. Her career in music began in 2002, at the age of 22.
Deborah Fraser was a South African gospel singer. She began her career in 1985 as a backing singer, and recorded her own album in 2000, titled Abanye bayombona, which became commercial success sold over 1 million copies in South Africa.
Bulelwa Mkutukana, known by her stage name Zahara, was a South African singer, songwriter and guitarist. Her music was classified loosely as "Afro-soul", and she sang in Xhosa, her native language, as well as in English.
Simphiwe Majobe Nhlangulela, better known by her stage name Simmy, is a South African singer-songwriter.
Senzo Mfundo Vilakazi known professionally as Kwesta, is a South African rapper and songwriter. Born in Katlehong, Gauteng, a township also known as "K1". In 2003, at the age of 15, he and his friends formed a rap group Ghetto Fellaz which then changed to The Juvenylz, same year. He is currently signed to his own independent media company known as RapLyf Records with co-founder Kid X.
Samkelo Lelethu Mdolomba, known professionally as Samthing Soweto, is a South African singer and songwriter. Samthing is best known for his vocals on Sun-El Musician's song "Akanamali" and his number 1 single on spotify "Akulaleki".
Shekhinah Thandi Donnell, known mononymously as Shekhinah, is a South African singer-songwriter, Shekhinah was among the Top 32 of M-Net's Season 7 of SA Idols in 2011 and among the Top 6 of Season 8 of SA Idols in 2012.
Nadia Nakai Kandava, is a Zimbabwean-South African rapper and television personality.
Amanda Faku is a South African singer, performer and songwriter. Born and raised in the township of eZinyoka, Port Elizabeth, developed musical interest at the age of 6 and participated on church choirs. Faku rose to fame as a contestant on The Voice SA season 2 in 2017, prior getting recognition in the music industry.
Nomcebo Nothule Zikode is a South African singer and songwriter. Born in Hammarsdale, Zikode was a backing singer for several years. She collaborated with DJ Ganyani on their hit single "Emazulwini" (2018).
Hlengiwe Ntombela, better known as HLE, is a South African gospel singer and songwriter. She is a former member of the gospel choir Joyous Celebration, and currently performs as a solo artist.
Sanele Tresure Sithole, known professionally as Sun-El Musician, is a South African disc jockey, music producer, and songwriter. Born and raised in Mooi River, he attended the University of KwaZulu-Natal but dropped out to pursue a career in music. His debut studio album Africa to the World (2018), was certified Platinum by the Recording Industry of South Africa (RiSA).
The 27th Annual South African Music Awards were the 27th edition of the South African Music Awards. The award show was broadcast live on SABC 1 on July 31, 2021 and was held virtually due to the effects of COVID-19 lockdowns.
Asanda Lusaseni Mvana known professionally as Msaki, is a South African composer, singer, and songwriter. Born and grew up in East London, during her childhood she was involved in musical activities. Her career in music began in 2008, at the age of 20, when she was a member of alternative rock band while attending college.
Rethabile Nomalanga Khumalo, is a South African singer-songwriter mononymously known as Rethabile. She rose to fame after being featured on a single "Umlilo" by DJ Zinhle, which has been dubbed 3× platinum by RISA with over 9 million YouTube video views. Rethabile Khumalo was declared a platinum selling musician after her hit single 'Ntyilo Ntyilo' became platinum in August 2021.
The Voice of Africa is the ninth studio album by South African singer Kelly Khumalo. It was released on 9 October 2020 by Universal Music. It was produced by Mondli Ngcobo.
"Empini" is a song by South African singer Kelly Khumalo from her studio album, The Voice of Africa. It was released on June 19, 2020, as the lead single from the album. The song was written and produced by Mondli Ngcobo.
Black Motion is a South African afro house duo formed in Soshanguve, Gauteng and founded in 2010. The group is composed of Roy Thabo Mabogwane (Smol) and Kabelo Koma.
From a God to a King is the tenth studio album by South African singer Kelly Khumalo, released on 14 February 2023 through Universal Music South Africa. Production was handled by Mondli Ngcobo.
Ntokozo Mbambo is a South African singer-songwriter. Born and raised in Umlazi, Mbambo professional music career began as a member and lead singer of the gospel group Joyous Celebration at the age of 15.
"Gospel Song Release - Esphambanweni featuring Dr Hlengiwe Mhlaba", AmenRadio, 12 Sept 2020.
Media related to Kelly Khumalo at Wikimedia Commons