Umqhele (album)

Last updated
Umqhele
Umqhele (album).jpg
Studio album by
ReleasedDecember 14, 2018 (2018-12-14)
Genre
Length60:30
Label Ambitiouz Entertainment
Producer
  • Mace
  • Ruff
Sjava chronology
Isina Muva
(2016)
Umqhele
(2018)
Umsebenzi
(2020)

Umqhele is the second studio album by South African singer and songwriter Sjava. [1] It was released on December 14, 2018, by Ambitiouz Entertainment. [1] [2] The album was produced by Mace and Ruff.

Contents

Umqhele debuted at number one in South Africa. [3] The album was named the most streamed South African album of all time by Apple Music. [4]

Background

In early December 2018, he teased the album and captioned, "#UMQHELE 14 DECEMBER 2018", via his Twitter account. [5]

Accolades

At the 25th South African Music Awards Umqhele won Best Afro Pop Album, Album of the Year, and nominated for Best Engineered Album.

YearNominee / workAwardResultRef.
2019
Umqhele
Best Afro Pop AlbumWon [6]
Album of the YearWon
Best Engineered AlbumNominated

Track listing

Disc 1
No.TitleLength
1."Izitha (featuring Buhlebendalo)"4:00
2."Abafazi"5:46
3."Linda"5:41
4."Amagama"6:33
5."Eweni (featuring Anzo and Mzukulu)"6:04
6."Isibhamu"5:08
7."Confession"6:16
8."Ikhandlela (featuring Fatso and Bongani Radebe)"5:35
9."Wamuhle"3:17
10."Umama"4:00
Disc 2
No.TitleLength
11."Ujesu (featuring Howard)"5:39
12."Angik'deli"5:44
13."Intombi-Yam"4:11
14."Uyay'khohlisa"4:08
15."Uvalo"4:24
16."Gijima"3:52
17."Xola (featuring Nue Sam)"4:32
18."Ngiyabonga"4:58
Total length:60:30

Personnel

Credits for Umqhele adapted from AllMusic. [7]

Release history

List of release dates, showing region, formats, label, editions and reference
RegionDateFormat(s)LabelEdition(s)Ref.
South AfricaDecember 14, 2018 Digital download Ambitiouz Entertainment Standard [8]

Related Research Articles

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).

Mafikizolo is a South African Afro-pop music duo formed in 1996, consisting of composer Theo Kgosinkwe and lead singer Nhlanhla Mafu. The duo rose to fame after they released their singles "Ndihamba Nawe kuphela", "Kwela Kwela", "Sibongile", "Udakwa Njalo" . The group released their self-titled album Mafikizolo in 1997 and Music Revolution in 1999.

Mthembeni Ndevu, professionally known by his stage name Emtee is a South African rapper. He was born and grew up in Rockville, Soweto, where he was involved in talent shows. His career began at the age of 17, and his debut hit single, "Roll Up" was released in 2015. Emtee was signed to Ambitiouz Entertainment, released his debut album Avery (2015), which was commercially successful and was eventually certified platinum by Recording Industry of South Africa (RiSA).

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.

<i>Paradise</i> (A-Reece album) 2016 studio album by A-Reece

Paradise is the debut studio album by South African hip-hop artist A-Reece. It was released by Ambitiouz Entertainment on 21 October 2016. It features guest appearances from Emtee, P-Jay and Amanda Black. Paradise topped the iTunes chart under 24 hours of release.

Lehlogonolo Ronald Mataboge, known professionally as A-Reece, is a South African rapper, songwriter and record producer. He was raised in Pretoria, Gauteng.

<i>Manando</i> (album) 2017 studio album by Emtee

Manando is the second studio album by South African rapper and singer Emtee, released by Ambitiouz Entertainment on September 15, 2017 and features guest appearances from fellow Ambitiouz label-mates Sjava and Saudi, as well as Nigerian singer Tiwa Savage. The album was produced by Ruff, Tweezy, Christer, Lunatik, Ron Epidemic and Bizz Boy.

Jabulani Hadebe, known professionally as Sjava, is a South African singer, rapper, and actor. He began his acting career in 2005, starring in several drama series and films including uGugu no Andile (2009). He then rose to prominence on the drama series Zone 14, where he starred for three consecutive seasons, Isibaya and the second season of eHostela. Sjava ventured into the music industry and signed to record label Ambitiouz Entertainment. He gained mainstream popularity after he was featured on Miss Pru's acclaimed song "Ameni" in 2015.

South African hip hop artist and record producer AKA has released four studio albums, two collaborative albums with Anatii as well as Costa Titch respectively, one extended play (EP), 42 singles and 23 music videos. AKA's music has been released on record labels Sony Music Entertainment Africa, Vth Season and Beam Group.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lunatik (record producer)</span> South African producer / disc jockey

Mnqobi Nxumalo, professionally known as Lunatik is a recording artist, songwriter, and record producer born in the town of Empangeni, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. He founded the hip hop sub-genre known as Skhanda along with South African rapper K.O.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Amanda Black discography</span>

South African singer Amanda Black has released three studio albums, eleven singles and seven music videos. She achieved recognition in 2016 following the release of her hit single "Amazulu", which was nominated for several music awards. Her debut studio album Amazulu was certified platinum three weeks after its official release. Black's music has been released through record labels Ambitiouz Entertainment, Sony Music, and her own label AfroRockstar.

The 25th Annual South African Music Awards ceremony was held at the Sun City Arena in North West on June 1, 2019. It aired live on SABC 1. The show was hosted by Bob Mabena, Melanie Bala, Twasa Seoke and hip-hop star Khuli Chana.

Sanele Tresure Sithole, known professionally as Sun-El Musician, is a South African disc jockey, music producer, and songwriter. 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), which was certified Platinum by the Recording Industry of South Africa (RiSA).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Big Zulu</span> South African rapper and songwriter

Siyabonga Johannes Nene, known professionally as Big Zulu, is a South African rapper and songwriter. He rose to spotlight after releasing the single "Donsa Nkabi" in 2016.

<i>Country Girl</i> (Zahara album) 2015 studio album by Zahara

Country Girl is the third studio album by the South African singer-songwriter Zahara, released on September 22, 2015. It features a guest appearance from Robbie Malinga.

Snova, commonly known by his former name Vusi Nova, is a South African singer. Born and raised in New Brighton, Gqeberha, Nova relocated to Johannesburg in 1998 at the age of 14 to pursue his career in music and signed a record deal with Muthaland Records, released Walk Into Light (2013) and Did It For Love (2014).

Sihle Sithole, known professionally as Blxckie, is a South African rapper, singer, songwriter and record producer from Sydenham Heights, Durban. His debut studio album B4Now (2021) was certified gold in South Africa.

Kabelo Petrus Motha is a South African DJ and record producer, popularly known as Kabza De Small. He is a major figure in the amapiano genre of house music. Aside from his solo career, Motha is a member of the Scorpion Kings. Motha gained international recognition after the release of "Umshove", in 2018.

<i>I Am the King of Amapiano: Sweet & Dust</i> 2020 studio album by Kabza de Small

I Am the King of Amapiano: Sweet & Dust is a third solo studio album by South African DJ Kabza de Small, released through Piano Hub on June 26, 2020.

"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. Written by Sjava, Big Zulu and production was handled by Xowla.

References

  1. 1 2 3 "STREAM: Sjava debuts new lengthy & soulful album Umqhele | YoMzansi". YoMzansi. Retrieved 15 December 2018.
  2. "Listen to Sjava's new album, Umqhele". JustNje. Retrieved 14 December 2018.
  3. Matangira, Lungelo. "Sjava's Umqhele Comfortably Sitting at the Top of SA Digital Album Charts". South Africa: Eye witness News. Retrieved 21 December 2018.
  4. Mngadi, Mxolisi. "Halala: Sjava Amongst Most Streamed Artists in Mzansi Over the Past 6 Years". Briefly. Retrieved September 22, 2021.
  5. "Sjava to release new album | eNCA". South Africa: eNCA. 2018-12-11. Retrieved 2022-05-12.
  6. Maliba, Amanda (2019-06-03). "All the winners from SAMA Awards 2019". GQ. Retrieved 2021-12-10.
  7. "Umqhele - Sjava | Credits | AllMusic". AllMusic.
  8. "Umqhele by Sjava on Apple Music". Apple Music. Retrieved 14 December 2018.