Sun-El Musician

Last updated

Sun-El Musician
Born
Sanele Tresure Sithole [1]

(1989-03-28) 28 March 1989 (age 35)
Mooi River, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
Education University of KwaZulu-Natal (dropped out)
Musical career
Occupation(s)
  • DJ
  • songwriter
  • music producer
Instrument(s)
Years active2011–present
Labels
  • EL World Music
Demor Music (PTY)LTD (former)

Sanele Tresure Sithole (born 28 March 1989), [3] known professionally as Sun-El Musician, is a South African disc jockey, music producer, and songwriter. [3] [4] 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). [5]

Contents

Sun-El's second album, To the World & Beyond (2020), was met with further commercial success, certified Platinum by Recording Industry of South Africa (RiSA).

He was a producer for Demor Music before the establishment of his own record label, EL World Music. [1] His most recent album African Electronic Dance Music was released in October 2021.

Life and career

Early life and education

Sanele Tresure Sithole was born on 28 March 1989 in the town of Mooi River, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, and raised along with his four siblings by a domestic worker mother. [6] [7] He attended the University of KwaZulu-Natal but dropped out in 2007.

Career

Shortly after he left school Sithole spent two years at home and began his musical career in 2007 remixing songs and creating mixtapes. [8] Sithole met Thandukwazi Demor Sikhosana who signed him under his record label Demor Music (Pty) Ltd, worked as music producer for a period of 5 years. [6] During that period he worked in the studio with Bucie from 2011-2014, [9] [10] and he produced three albums for Demor.

2015-2019: EL World Music, Africa to the World

In early 2017 he established EL World Music. [11] [12]

Sithole then began to create his own music under the name Sun-El Musician. His debut single "Akanamali" featuring Samthing Soweto was released on May 21, 2017. It became his first biggest song reached no.1 on Shazam and certified Platinum in South Africa. [13] [14]

"Bamthathile" featuring Mlindo the Vocalist was released on February 23, 2018, as album's second single. [15]

His debut studio album Africa to the World , was released on April 20, 2018. [16] [17] The album reached Platinum in South Africa.

The singles "Sonini", "Bamthathile", and "Ntab'Ezikude" all received 2× Platinum certifications from the Recording Industry of South Africa (RiSA) [18] In June 2018, his single "Akanamali" earned him three awards at the 24th South African Music Awards, including Best Collaboration, Highest Airplay Song and Highest Airplay Composer. [19] Africa to the World was also nominated at the 25th South African Music Awards in June 2019. [20]

Sithole made collaboration with Ami Faku on a single "Into Ingawe", released on June 7, 2019. The song was certified 3× Platinum by RiSA. [21] [22] [23]

Also in 2019, Sithole embarked on an extensive tour of South Africa. [24]

2020-2021: To the World & Beyond, African Electronic Dance Music

In April 2020, Sithole released album's lead single "Uhuru" with South African singer Azana. [25] [26]

Following month May 2020, his second single "Ubomi Abumanga" featuring Msaki was released. [27] It was certified 2× Platinum by Recording Industry of South Africa.

"Emoyeni", a single by Sun-El Musician, Khuzani, Simmy was released in July 2020, in celebration of Ukhozi FM 60th Anniversary.

His second studio album To the World & Beyond was released in December 4, 2020. [28] [23] The album reached Platinum in South Africa.

African Electronic Dance Music was released on 29 October 2021 in South Africa. [29] On African Electronic Dance Music, Sun-El experimented electronic dance music style incorporated with elements of afro house. [30] [31] It was supported by four singles; "Higher", "Amateki/Ululate", "Woza". Pan-African Music enlisted African Electronic Dance Music number 1 on The 30 best albums of 2021 year-end lists. [32]

African Electronic Dance Music received three nominations; Album of the Year, Male Artist of the Year, and Best Dance Album at the 28th South African Music Awards. [33]

The previous day, Sithole headlined the Basha Uhuru Creative Uprising Festival alongside Langa Mavuso. [34]

In December 2021, Sithole was chosen by Gallo Records to work on classic songs remix on the Extended Play titled Music is Forever along with Nobuhle, Muzi, and other artists. [35] [36]

2022-present: AEDM: Interstellar

In May 21, he headlined to Bassline I AM LIVE concert. [37]

Towards the end of May 2022, he headlined to MTN Bushfire Festival, held at Malkerns Valley, from May 27–29. [38] [39]

Sithole announced his upcoming project AEDM: Interstellar (pronounced African Electronic Dance Music: Interstellar) on December 8, 2022 set to be released on 2023 released double single "Makwande" with Fk Mash, Ami Faku, "Rata" with TNS and Skillz. [40] Both singles were released on December 9, 2022.

In April 2023, Sun-El Musician and Msaki teased a single "Amandla" on a snippet video clip and announced release date on October. The song was released on November 3, 2023. [41] [42]

Discography

Singles

As lead artist

List of singles as lead artist, with selected chart positions and certifications, showing year released and album name
TitleYearPeak chart positions Certifications Album
"Akanamali" (featuring Samthing Soweto)20171RiSA: PlatinumAfrica to the World
"Ntab'Ezikude" (featuring Simmy)2018RiSA: 2× platinum [18]
"Bamthathile" (featuring Mlindo the Vocalist)RiSA: 2× Platinum
"Sonini" (featuring Simmy and Lelo Kamau)RiSA:2× Platinum [18]
"Bomi Abumanga" (featuring Msaki)2020RiSA: 2× PlatinumTo the World & Beyond
"Garden" (featuring Julia Church)—
"Uhuru" (featuring Azana)
"Never Never" (featuring Nobuhle)RiSA: Gold [43]
"Into Ingawe" (featuring Ami Faku)RiSA: 3× platinum [22] Non-album single
"Higher" (featuring Simmy)20216 African Electronic Dance Music
"Amateki" (featuring Bholoja)
"Woza" (featuring Linos Rosetta)
"Respond" (Miči, Sun-EL Musician)2022—Non-album single
"Amandla" (Sun-El Musician, Msaki)2023—Non-album single
"Hamba Nami" (Sun-El Musician, Fearless Musiq, Section Five) [44] 2024—Non-album single
"Inhliziyo" (Sun-EL Musician, Mthandazo Gatya, Anzo featuring Kenza)—Non-album single
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.

Albums

List of albums, with selected details, sales figures and certifications
TitleAlbum details Certifications
Africa to the World [45]
To the World & Beyond [28]
  • Released: 4 December 2020
  • Label: EL World Music
  • Formats: CD, digital download, streaming
  • RISA: Platinum
African Electronic Dance Music
  • Released: 29 October 2021 [48]
  • Label: EL World Music
  • Formats: CD, digital download, streaming

EPs

List of EPs, with selected details
TitleEP details
AEDM: Interstellar
  • Released: 9 December 2022
  • Label: Under Da Sun
  • Formats: Streaming, digital download

Production and songwriting credits

List of production and songwriting credits, showing original artists, year released and album name
TitleYearArtist(s)AlbumCredit(s)Written with:Produced with:
"Ngiyesaba"2018 Simmy Tugela FairyProducerSimmy
"Wawundithembisile"2021 The One Who Sings Non-album single Zolani MaholaKenza (SA)
"Light House" TRESOR MotionCo-producerTRESOR
Da Capo
"Ezangakini"2022 Professor featuring Shwi, and Sun-El Musician [49] Non-album single ProducerMkhonzeni Langa, Mandla Xaba, Zwelenduna Magubane, and Khethonjani DludlaMpho.Wav and Tebogo Mbolekwa
"Indlela"2023Drega, Sun-El Musician and Maline AuraNon-album single ProducerBonga Ntozini, Sanele Sithole and Thandolwethu NkomoDrega

Guest appearances

TitleYearOther artist(s)Album
"Ndivulele"2019 Ami Faku Imali
"Hosana"2020 Black Motion The Healers: The Last Chapter
"Yasha Imizi"Claudio x KenzaCircle of Life
"Shine"S-ToneMbabane
"Control"2021 Karyendasoul Imizamo
"Jungle"KenzaFly Away
"You need Me"Black CoffeeSubconsciously
"Idwala"2022 Mafikizolo Idwala
"Africa Hey"Ndlovu Youth ChoirGreatful
"Esikhathini"Murumba PitchHorumar
"Umthwalo"VitotoAfro Nation

Tours

Awards and nominations

YearAward CeremonyPrizeResultRef.
2018 24th South African Music Awards CollaborationWon [19] [50]
Highest Airplay SongWon [51] [52]
Highest Airplay ComposerWon [53]
2019 25th South African Music Awards Record of the Year (Sun-El Musician featuring Simmy and Lelo Kamau – Sonini)Won [54] [55]

[56]

Newcomer of the YearNominated
Best Dance AlbumNominated
2020 KZN Entertainment Awards Best Club DJ MaleNominated [57]
Best ProducerNominated
2021 SAMAs 27 Best Dance AlbumNominated [58] [59]
Male Artist of the YearNominated
Best Produced Album of the YearNominated
Remix of the YearNominated
Best Live Audio of the YearWon
M K H M A Best DJNominated
2021All Africa Music AwardsBest Male Artist in Southern AfricaNominated [60]
2022 SAMA 28 Album of the YearNominated [61]
Best Dance AlbumNominated
Male Artist of the YearNominated
Remix of the YearWon [62]

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