Umbayimbayi

"Umbayimbayi"
Single by Inkabi Zezwe
from the album Ukhamba
Released	March 24, 2023 (2023-03-24)
Genre	Afro-pop
Length	3:50
Label	Warner Music Africa
Songwriter(s)	Jabulani Hadebe Siyabonga Nene
Producer(s)	Xowla

"Umbayimbayi" is a debut single by South African duo Inkabi Zezwe released on March 24, 2023, through Warner Music Africa, as album's lead single from debut studio album Ukhamba. ^[1] Written by Sjava, Big Zulu and production was handled by Xowla.

It debuted number one and number 2 in South Africa and Swaziland consecutively. The song was certified 3× Platinum in South Africa

Commercial performance

The song debuted at number one on iTunes Top 50 & Spotify Top 100 South Africa consecutively. ^[2] The song reached 3× Platinum in South Africa. ^{[3] [4] [5]}

Accolades

"Umbayimbayi" is nominated for Song of the Year at DStv Content Creator Awards 2023. Also the song earned nomination for Best Voted Song of the Year at 2023 SATMA. In addition, the song received nomination for Motsepe Foundation Record of the Year at the 30th ceremony of South African Music Awards.

Year	Nominee / work	Award	Result	Ref.
2023	"Umbayimbayi"	Song of the Year	Nominated	[6] [7]
2023		Most Voted Song of the Year	Nominated	[8]
2024		Motsepe Foundation Record of the Year	Nominated	[9]

Certifications

Region	Certification	Certified units/sales
South Africa (RISA) [10]	3× Platinum	60,000‡
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Track listing

• Digital download ^[11]

1. "Umbayimbayi" (Single Version) – 3:50

Personnel

All credits are adapted from AllMusic. ^[12]

• Jabulani Hadebe - Composer, Lyricist
• Siyabonga Nene - Composer, Lyricist
• Xowla Shabalala - Composer
• Sjava - Primary Artist, Vocals
• Stallion - Engineer, Producer
• Inkabi Zezwe - Primary Artist
• Big Zulu - Primary Artist, Vocals

Release history

Release history and formats for "Umbayimbayi"

Region	Date	Format	Version	Label	Ref.
South Africa	24 March 2023	Digital download streaming	Original	Warner

References

1. Banda, Clive (March 18, 2023). "Sjava & Big Zulu Gear Up To Release A Joint Music Project". SA Hip Hop Mag.
2. Tshambuluka, Sinazo (March 28, 2023). ""Khuphukani": SA proud of Sjava and Big Zulu's song reaching number 1 on Spotify". Briefly.
3. "Big Zulu & Sjava's 'Umbayimbayi' Hits Gold Status In SA". slikouronlife.co.za.
4. "Inkabi Zezwe's 'Umbayimbayi' Certified Platinum". slikouronlife.co.za.
5. Banda, Clive (July 18, 2023). "Big Zulu X Sjava's 'Umbayimbayi' Goes Triple Platinum". SA Hip Hop Mag.
6. "DStv Content Creator Awards nominees revealed". Bizcommunity.
7. Legodi, Simangele. "Nominees for 2023 DStv Content Creator Awards released". ewn.co.za.
8. "18th annual SATMA Awards nominees revealed - Limpopo Chronicle". Limpopo Chronicle. 2023-10-03.
9. "#SAMA30 unveils nominees for the Motsepe Foundation Record of the Year and RiSA Audio Visual (RAV) Music Video of the Year Awards". South African Music Awards. 2024-08-14. Retrieved 2024-08-15.
10. "South Africa certifications". Recording Industry of South Africa . Retrieved April 12, 2023.
11. "Umbayimbayi - Single by Inkabi Zezwe, Sjava & Big Zulu". March 24, 2023 – via music.apple.com.
12. "Inkabi Zezwe - Umbayimbayi Album Reviews, Songs & More | AllMusic". AllMusic .