Mr Thela

Last updated
Mr Thela
Birth nameSimphiwe Sihawu
Born Gugulethu, Western Cape, South Africa
Genres
Instrument(s)keyboard, synthesizer
Years active2016–present
Labels Universal Music Group
Formerly ofUbiza Wethu & Mr Thela, Mshayi & Mr Thela
Website mrthela.africa/about-me/

Simphiwe Sihawu (born 2000 [1] ) better known as Mr Thela, is a South African DJ and music producer. Born in Gugulethu and raised in Samora Machel, Philippi, his professional musical career began in 2016 at the age of 16. [1] Aside from his solo career, Sihawu was a member of Mshayi & Mr Thela duo. [2]

Contents

Their debut studio album Make Cape Town Great Again (2020), became their best-selling album, certified Platinum by the Recording Industry of South Africa (RiSA). [3]

His second studio album Tronics Land Series 2, was released on 17 November 2023. [4] The album debuted No. 3 on Apple Music and No. 5 on Spotify South Africa Charts respectively. [5] [6]

In February 2024, Mr Thela signed a recording deal with Universal Music Group. [7]

Artistry

Mr Thela's musical styles encompass gqom, sgubhu and a genre of his own creation alongside Mshayi, gospel gqom (Cape Town gqom). [8]

Discography

Mshayi & Mr Thela

Solo albums

Achievements

Metro FM Music Awards

YearNominee / workAwardResultRef.
2024"Hello"Best Kwaito/GqomWon [9] [10]
2025"Ekhaya"Won [11]

South African Music Awards

YearNominee / workAwardResultRef.
2021Make Cape Town Great AgainBest Gqom AlbumNominated
2024Tronics Land Series 2Nominated [12]

References

  1. 1 2 Cebo, Khanyisa (2023-07-14). "Cape DJ and producer Mr Thela jetting off to the UK as his music travels across the globe". Independent Online. Archived from the original on 2023-10-31. Retrieved 2024-07-02.
  2. ↑ "Interview: Mshayi & Mr Thela Are Reviving Cape Town's Gqom Scene With Their Unique Take on the Genre - Okayplayer". OkayAfrica. Archived from the original on 2023-12-09. Retrieved 2024-07-11.
  3. ↑ "MAKE CAPE TOWN GREAT AGAIN by MSHAYI & MR THELA sales and awards". Best Selling Albums. Archived from the original on 2024-07-02. Retrieved 2024-07-02.
  4. ↑ Phiri, Janice (26 November 2023). "Mr Thela returns home and releases an album, Tronics Land Series 2" . South Africa: City Press. Retrieved 2024-07-02.
  5. ↑ "Mr Thela's Tronics Land Series 2 receives over 4 million streams across digital platforms in less than a month and without a music video". Trace TV. 2023-12-13. Retrieved 2024-07-02.
  6. ↑ "Mr Thela's Tronics Land Series 2 receives over 4m streams across digital platforms". Biz Community. 2023-12-13. Retrieved 2024-07-02.
  7. ↑ "Cape Town DJ Mr Thela's moving up as he inks a deal with Universal Music Group". Independent Online. 2024-02-14. Retrieved 2024-07-02.
  8. ↑ "These are the most exciting gqom producers right now". DJ Mag. 2023-03-27. Retrieved 2024-07-16.
  9. ↑ "Mr Thela goes Gold, scoops Metro FM Award and secures partnership with SKYY Vodka". Independent Online. 2024-03-22. Retrieved 2024-07-02.
  10. ↑ Dean, Marsha (2024-04-29). "Unbeatable: Kaapse Mr Thela wins maiden gong at Metro FM Music Awards for Best Kwaito/Gqom song". Daily Voice.
  11. ↑ Shumba, Ano (2025-03-06). "Metro FM Awards 2025: All the nominees". Music in Africa. Retrieved 2025-03-17.
  12. ↑ "Sensational Tyla leads the pack with five SAMA30 nominations". Sunday World. 26 September 2024. Retrieved 26 September 2024.
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