"Umlilo" | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Single by DJ Zinhle feat. Mvzzle & Rethabile Khumalo | ||||
Language | isiZulu | |||
English title | Fire | |||
Released | 23 August 2019 | |||
Recorded | 18 August 2019 | |||
Genre | ||||
Length | 3:57 | |||
Label | ||||
Composer(s) | ||||
Lyricist(s) | Rethabile Khumalo | |||
Producer(s) | Mvzzle | |||
DJ Zinhle singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
Mvzzle singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
Rethabile Khumalo singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
Music video | ||||
"Umlilo" on YouTube | ||||
Music video | ||||
"Umlilo 2.0" on YouTube |
"Umlilo" is a single by a South African DJ professionally known as DJ Zinhle,released on 23 August 2019,the single features vocals from female singer Rethabile Khumalo with production from Mvzzle. Umlilo has been certified multi-platinum and within its first three months,it reached over 5.1 million streams. [1]
When translated,“Umlilo”means fire,translated from isiZulu to English. In the jam,three artists are grateful for what God has done to them. He has opened their eyes and ears,and they can speak because of “God’s fire alone. It is also essential to point out that each of the three artists chose their lines well.
Mvzzle contacted renowned DJ and entrepreneur,DJ Zinhle with two beats,one of which is now the smash hit ‘Umlilo’featuring Rethabile –who had earlier DM’d,DJ Zinhle on Instagram proposing a collaboration with her,one thing led to the other and single was produced. Zinhle,in an edition of Red Bull Live With,explained to Mo Flava about the exact meaning behind the hit song.
"There has been a big debate about 'Umlilo' because it's such a big club or party song and people don't know that its actually a sing that praises God. It talks about the wonders of God's love and it is based on Bible scriptures which is amazing",explained the DJ. [2]
The single was released through Universal Music South Africa on behalf of Kalawa Jazmee.
"Umlilo" is a house track that has a touch of dance/electronic.
The song features an "upbeat tempo beat" with Rethabile's vocals quoting a Bible verse
The female producer DJ Zinhle was accused of buying nominations for the song and she had to clap back to clarify the mistakes made by the media. [3]
The hit-single went on to receive triple-platinum plaques, [4] and nominated for Record Of The Year (fan-voted) at 26th South African Music Awards. [4] The single won a NAMA (award). [5]
Year | Award Ceremony | Prize | Recipient/Nominated work | Result | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
2020 | South African Music Awards | Record of the Year (fan-voted) | "Umlilo" | Nominated | |
2021 | Best Music Video of the Year | Nominated |
Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
---|---|---|
South Africa (RISA) [4] | 3×Platinum | 60,000‡ |
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone. |
DJ Zinhle released a visuals teaser of her hit single on Wednesday of 6 November 2019 . The video depicts the female DJ alongside a couple of dancers,Rethabile singing on the microphone and Mvzzle behind the decks [6] [7]
The official full length music video was released on 14 November 2019 ,via YouTube [8]
In celebration of the song's success,DJ Zinhle released a second [Platinum] video for Umlilo in December and just a few months later,the video has reached over 3 million views on YouTube. [1]
Groove Coverage is a German dance music group which consists of Axel Konrad,DJ Novus,Melanie Munch,better known as Mell,and Verena Rehm. Producers of the band are Ole Wierk and Axel Konrad. The project was founded in the summer of 2001 by DJ Novus,in co-operation with Suprime Music (Konrad). With eleven singles in the German Top 50 and over 13 million records sold worldwide,Groove Coverage is one of the most successful German dance artists.
"Levels" is a progressive house song by Swedish DJ Avicii that was released on 28 October 2011 through Universal Music Group on iTunes. "Levels" topped the Swedish Singles Chart. Outside Sweden,"Levels" topped the charts in Norway and peaked within the top ten of the charts in Austria,Belgium,Denmark,Netherlands,the Republic of Ireland,Switzerland and the United Kingdom and received a platinum certification eight times in Sweden,thrice in the United Kingdom,and once in the United States.
Nkosinathi Innocent Maphumulo,better known by his stage name Black Coffee,is a South African DJ,record producer and songwriter. His accolades include eight South African Music Awards,four DJ Awards,two Metro FM Awards and a Grammy Award for Best Dance/Electronic Album.
AJR is an American indie pop band founded by brothers Adam,Jack,and Ryan Met,collectively a trio of vocalists,multi-instrumentalists,and songwriters. The brothers grew up in New York City,primarily focused on busking and singing covers until releasing their first album,Living Room,on March 3,2015. As of 2024,they have produced and released five studio albums under the independent label AJR Productions to various record labels.
Ntokozo Mdluli,known professionally as K.O,is a South African rapper. He began his career as a member of Teargas,a hip hop group which released its debut album titled K'shubile K'bovu (2006),followed by Wafa Wafa (2008),Dark or Blue (2009) and last album Num8er Num8er (2012).
Kiernan Jarryd Forbes(28 January 1988 –10 February 2023),known professionally as AKA,was a South African rapper,record producer,and businessman. Born in Cape Town and raised in Johannesburg,Forbes gained recognition after releasing his single "Victory Lap" from his debut studio album,Altar Ego (2011). He was one of the most popular South African musicians of his era and the best-selling South African hip hop artist of all-time,also regarded by many as one of the greatest South African rappers of all time.
The discography of Dutch DJ and electronic music producer Martin Garrix consists of a studio album,two compilation albums,four extended plays (EP),three DJ mixes,84 singles,47 music videos and ten remixes. Part of the Dutch emergence of electronic dance music DJs,Garrix became widely known after his single "Animals" became a worldwide hit. It went number one in the United Kingdom,Belgium,and on the US Billboard Hot Dance Club Songs chart,and it reached the top ten of several charts across Europe from late 2013 to early 2014. Garrix is the youngest Dutch artist to ever have a number one single in the United Kingdom.
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.
Themba Sekowe,known professionally as DJ Maphorisa,is a South African DJ,record producer,singer,and songwriter. As a record producer with a blend of house music,amapiano and afropop,he has worked with and has received production credits from several notable artists,including Wizkid,Sizwe Alakine,Kwesta,Uhuru,Drake,Black Coffee,Major Lazer,Runtown,C4 Pedro,TRESOR,Kabza De Small,Era Istrefi,Mpura,Young Stunna and Killer Kau. He was signed to Kalawa Jazmee Records prior to establishing his own record label,BlaqBoy Music.
Christopher Comstock,known professionally as Marshmello,is an American electronic music producer and DJ. His songs "Silence","Wolves","Friends","Happier",and "Alone" have received multi-platinum certification in several countries including the US,and charted within the Top 40 of the Billboard Hot 100. His musical style includes groove-oriented,synth and bass-heavy electronic dance music.
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.
Amanda Benedicta Antony,known professionally as Amanda Black,is a South African singer and songwriter. Born and raised in Gcuwa her career began in 1999 at the age of 6 singing in church choirs. Amanda was a contestant on Idols South Africa season 11. Black relocated to Johannesburg in 2016 to pursue her career in music. She signed a record deal with Ambitiouz Entertainment in 2016 and achieved recognition in same year following the release of her hit single "Amazulu",which was nominated for several music awards.
Rose Gold is the debut studio album by South African singer-songwriter Shekhinah. It was released by Sony Music Entertainment Africa on October 6,2017. Rose Gold was certified gold by the Recording Industry of South Africa on January 24,2018 and later certified platinum on August 31,2018. The album features guest appearances from South African rapper,Rouge,Asali and Jamali band member,Mariechan. Production is handled by David Scott,DJ Maphorisa,Mae N. Maejor,Shekhinah and Luke Goliath.
Busiswa Gqulu,popularly known as Busiswa is a South African singer-songwriter and poet. Born in Mthatha,Eastern Cape,South Africa,she gained public recognition for her feature on DJ Zinhle's song,"My Name Is",after being discovered by Kalawa Jazmee's CEO Oskido.
Candy Tsa MandebeleMokwena is a South African singer,songwriter,actress. Born and raised in Limpopo,she began singing in her mother's community traditional group,Sekgapa,at the age of 14. Mandebele began her career in 1993 as a songwriter,prior to joining group Shaka Bundu Girls in 1995.
Ntombezinhle Mohosana,known professionall as DJ Zinhle,is a South African DJ,producer,media personality and businesswoman.
Amanda "Ami" Faku is a South African singer,performer and songwriter. Born and raised in the township of eZinyoka,Gqeberha. 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).
Gift Selaelo Morukhuladi,professionally known as Mvzzle is a South African DJ,singer-songwriter,and producer born in Musina and raised in Westenburg,Polokwane. He is famous for producing the single "Umlilo" by DJ Zinhle.
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.