Ndlovu Youth Choir

Last updated

Ndlovu Youth Choir
Origin Limpopo
Genres Afro Pop
Years active2009–present
LabelsSony

The Ndlovu Youth Choir is a South African musical group founded in 2009.

Contents

Their debut studio album Africa (2019) debuted number one in South Africa.

History

Ndlovu Youth Choir was formed in January 2009 [1] by Ndlovu Care Group childcare community based in Elandsdoorn, Limpopo. [2]

In October 2018, they released a single "Shape of You" with South African flautist Wouter Kellerman. [3] [4] The song won Best Independent Music Video at the Hollywood Music Awards. [5] [6]

Towards the end of 2019, they auditioned on America's Got Talent season 14 and lost the competition on the finalists. [7]

They signed a record deal with Syco Entertainment joint venture with Sony [8] and began recording their debut studio album Africa after they returned from America’s Got Talent. [9]

Their debut studio album Africa was released on November 29, 2019. The album won Best Adult Contemporary Album and debuted number one in South Africa. [10]

Their second album Rise was released on December 11, 2020. [11]

Their third studio album Grateful was released on April 29, 2022. [12] [13] They collaborated with 25K, Sun-El Musician, Tyler ICU and the National Youth Choirs of Great Britain. [12]

In 2025, a translation of "Bohemian Rhapsody" into Zulu language was authorized by surviving members of Queen and the Mercury Phoenix Trust. The Zulu version is performed by the Ndlovu Youth Choir under artistic director Ralf Schmitt, and combines isicathamiya (an a capella style) with kwassa kwassa (a type of music and dance from the Democratic Republic of Congo). [14]

Discography

Awards

Hollywood Music Awards

YearNominee / workAwardResult
2018"Shape of You"Best Independent Music VideoWon

South African Music Awards

YearNominee / workAwardResultRef.
2020AfricaBest Adult Contemporary AlbumWon [16]
Ndlovu Youth ChoirInternational Achievement AwardWon [17]

References

  1. ↑ "From Limpopo to the top of the world: Ndlovu Youth Choir's incredible rise to international stardom! | Channel". South Africa: Channel. December 18, 2019. Retrieved May 1, 2022.
  2. ↑ Mueni, Priscillah (June 27, 2019). "Ndlovu Youth Choir biography: members, lead singer, and America got talent performance - Briefly.co.za". Briefly.co.za. Retrieved April 30, 2022.
  3. ↑ "WATCH: We think this isiZulu remix of Ed Sheeran's Shape Of You is better than the original! | W24". October 17, 2018. Retrieved April 30, 2022.
  4. ↑ Sehloho, Matshepo (October 19, 2018). "[Watch] SA choir stuns with isiZulu cover of Ed Sheeran's 'Shape of You'". 702. Retrieved April 30, 2022.
  5. ↑ Nkanjeni, Unathi (November 30, 2019). "Ndlovu Youth Choir wins Hollywood music award". Times LIVE. Retrieved April 30, 2022.
  6. ↑ Mgandela, Ziyanda (November 30, 2019). "Ndlovu Youth Choir hits gold with award-winning collaboration". Independent Online.
  7. ↑ Zeeman, Kyle (September 19, 2019). "Ndlovu Youth Choir didn't win 'America's Got Talent', but they won our hearts". Sowetan LIVE. Retrieved April 30, 2022.
  8. ↑ Morkel, Graye (September 26, 2019). "WATCH: AGT's' Ndlovu Youth Choir offered a deal by Simon Cowell | Channel". South Africa: Channel. Retrieved April 30, 2022.
  9. ↑ "The Ndlovu Youth Choir sign to Sony Music Entertainment Africa after coming back to SA guns blazing – Texx and the City". Texx and the City. September 27, 2019. Retrieved April 30, 2022.
  10. ↑ Masweneng, Kgaugelo (December 3, 2019). "All they do is win! Ndlovu Youth Choir hits No 1 on SA iTunes chart". Times LIVE. Retrieved April 30, 2022.
  11. ↑ "Ndlovu Youth Choir releases Rise as new album – JustNje". JustNje. December 11, 2020. Retrieved April 30, 2022.
  12. 1 2 McKay, Bronwyn (April 22, 2022). "LISTEN | Ndlovu Youth Choir release new album, Grateful | Channel". South Africa: Channel. Retrieved April 30, 2022.
  13. ↑ Maliba, Amanda (April 29, 2022). "Ndlovu Youth Choir grateful for support via third album". Sowetan LIVE. Retrieved April 30, 2022.
  14. ↑ Spitulski, Marika Price (September 3, 2025). "Queen's "Bohemian Rhapsody": Zulu Language Rendition". Nice News. Retrieved September 3, 2025.
  15. ↑ https://www.news24.com/life/arts-and-entertainment/music/ndlovu-youth-choirs-new-single-celebrates-african-youth-20230828
  16. ↑ "Ndlovu Youth Choir and Prince Kaybee among winners from night 2 of the Samas | Channel". South Africa: Channel. August 4, 2020. Retrieved April 30, 2022.
  17. ↑ "2020 International Achievement Award Winner : Ndlovu Youth Choir". South African Music Awards. August 7, 2020. Retrieved April 30, 2022.
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