Zola 7

Last updated

Zola
Born
Bonginkosi Dlamini

(1977-04-24) 24 April 1977 (age 47)
NationalitySouth African
Occupations
  • Musician
  • poet
  • actor
  • TV presenter
  • Radio presenter
Years active2000–present
Known forGodsent Angel
Musical career
Also known asZola 7
Genres Kwaito
InstrumentVocals
Years active2000–present
Labels

Bonginkosi Dlamini (born 24 April 1977), known professionally as Zola 7, is a South African kwaito musician, actor, writer, TV presenter, and poet. Dlamini began his career as an actor, achieving national recognition for the television series, "Yizo Yizo". He also starred in the Academy Award winning film Tsotsi in 2005, for which he also wrote the musical score.

Contents

Zola is a respected philanthropist. Through his show "Zola 7", which aired on SABC 1, he has assisted numerous individuals in achieving their personal and social development goals. Notable among his initiatives is the establishment of libraries for their communities. [1]

Biography and early life

Bonginkosi Dlamini was born on 24 April 1977 and grew up in Zola, a township of Soweto. His artist name is based on his hometown. [2] [3] Dlamini's father, believed to be part of the Mchunu clan, abandoned the family, leaving his mother to care for him and his older brother and sister when they were young. In 2023 Zola was homeless and Royal AM owner gave him 100 thousand Rand. [4]

Actor

Zola 7 became well known for his role as the notorious gangster Papa Action in the second season of the television series Yizo Yizo . [3] [5] The character was already popular from the first season, where it had been portrayed by another performer. Zola 7 resembled the previous actor, and his performance only increased the popularity of the role. He also performed the score and played a role in the Academy Award-winning film Tsotsi (2005), and the movie Drum (2004). Zola 7 also has a prominent role in the documentary SHARP! SHARP! : the Kwaito story (2003) directed by Aryan Kaganof. In 2015 and 2016 Zola 7 had minor roles in the television series Isibaya, as well as Zabalaza.[ citation needed ] [6]

Television

Zola 7

Zola 7 was a television show presented by Zola airing from 2002 to 2010 on SABC1. [7] Each episode focused on a young person, who with support from Zola realised his or her dream.

Utatakho

Utatakho was a television programme produced by Connect TV in 2015 which aired on Mzansi Magic and was presented by Zola. In each episode Zola helped participants to find or reconnect with their biological fathers. Zola accompanied participating sons to meetings with their fathers and facilitated conversation. Additionally, a professional counsellor was present to mediate. [8] Having been to child court over the custody for his own children, Zola can relate to the show's content on a personal level. [9]

Hope with Zola

Hope with Zola is a docu-reality show on Moja Love. The programme started in October 2018 and is hosted by Zola. Each episode is 30 minutes and focuses on the alleviation of social problems like youth unemployment, housing shortage or insufficient community libraries. [10] Unlike his former show, Zola 7, which focused on individuals, Hope with Zola addresses communities and aimes specifically for sustainable development. [11]

Music

Bonginkosi Dlamini has enjoyed success as a Kwaito musician. Lance Stehr of Ghetto Ruff records has referred to Zola as "the second biggest brand in the country next to Nelson Mandela." [12] Zola not only performs but also writes and produces some of his own music, signing to the independent label Ghetto Ruff records. Zola is also the owner of the music company Guluva Entertainment. [12]

Originally, Zola was not a fan of Kwaito music, because it "had no message." He has taken upon himself to change this, viewing himself as a role model. "I want to inspire a guy from the ghetto so he can stop hanging around in the corner begging and try to get some life." [13] In the song "Mdlwembe", which literally means problem child, he expresses his feelings about the neighborhood he grew up in. He talks about the horrible quality of life of the township, particularly the extreme level crime and violence. "Beware of the Zola boys; we do crime for money" demonstrates Zola's past and also the perpetual anguish of life in a ghetto. [14] Today, Zola works on behalf of younger performers, helping them to be integrated into the music industry. He is a pioneer in social action and benefit projects in South Africa. [15]

Kwaito is branded as apolitical, and often associated with the advancement of personal wealth, glamorized gangster lifestyle, and frivolous consumption themes found in much of Jamaican Dancehall and Rap. The genre is associated with a new political freedom gain since the end of apartheid in South Africa and less political strife. [16] The form of the Kwaito produced by Zola is in that case an anomaly in that it is very much politically charged and contains a social message. [17]

Zola raps in isiZulu with a high usage of Tsotsitaal. The latter is the vernacular slang in South Africa. This infusion of colloquial dialect with a national language allows for better interaction between the artists and the community [18] South Africans in lower socio-economic classes who live in the townships and speak Tsotsitaal can relate to Kwaito music differently from Cape Town hip hop or US hip hop because of the lyrics. Additionally many of his songs describe situations of life in the townships, particularly Soweto. [14]

On 7 July 2007 Zola performed at the South African leg of Live Earth.

Radio

Dlamini is part of the newly launched Massiv Metro, an online station pioneered by DJ Sbu. [19]

Filmography

Television

Films

Discography

Awards

He has four South African Music Awards - SAMA

He also received three Metro FM Awards 2001

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Soweto</span> Township in Gauteng, South Africa

Soweto is a township of the City of Johannesburg Metropolitan Municipality in Gauteng, South Africa, bordering the city's mining belt in the south. Its name is an English syllabic abbreviation for South Western Townships. Formerly a separate municipality, it is now incorporated in the City of Johannesburg Metropolitan Municipality and is one of the suburbs of Johannesburg.

Zola may refer to:

Kwaito is a music genre that emerged in Soweto, Johannesburg, South Africa, between the late 1980s and 1990s. It is a variant of house music that features the use of African sounds and samples. Kwaito songs occur at a slower tempo range than other styles of house music and often contain catchy melodic and percussive loop samples, deep bass lines and vocals.

Mduduzi ThembinkosiEdmund Tshabalala, also known as Mandoza, was a South African singer-songwriter and kwaito recording artist. He was known for his contributions to the kwaito genre and his numerous hit singles, including "Nkalakatha", "Uzoyithola Kanjani, Tornado", "Sgelekeqe", "Ngalabesi", "Godoba", "Tsotsi Yase Zola" and "Indoda", which topped the charts in South Africa and all over the African continent. His second album Nkalakatha, released in 2000, became the biggest selling album of his career, selling 350,000 units..

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Zulu music</span> South African music genre

The Zulu people are a South African ethnic group. Many Zulu musicians have become a major part of South African music, creating a huge influence in the music industry. A number of Zulu-folk derived styles have become well known across South Africa and abroad. Zulu music has dominated many genres in South Africa, especially house music, folk music, acapella, choral music and gospel. In fact, some of the most popular songs from South Africa are in isiZulu.

<i>Tsotsi</i> 2005 film directed by Gavin Hood

Tsotsi is a 2005 crime drama film written and directed by Gavin Hood and produced by Peter Fudakowski. It is an adaptation of the novel Tsotsi by Athol Fugard, and is a South African/UK co-production. Set in the Alexandra slum in Johannesburg, South Africa, it stars Presley Chweneyagae as David/Tsotsi, a young street thug who steals a car only to discover a baby in the back seat. It also features Kenneth Nkosi, Jerry Mofokeng, and Rapulana Seiphemo in supporting roles.

Tsotsitaal is a South African vernacular dialect derived from a variety of mixed languages mainly spoken in the townships of Gauteng province, but also in other agglomerations all over South Africa. Tsotsi is a Sesotho, Pedi or Tswana slang word for a "thug" or "robber" or "criminal", possibly from the verb "ho lotsa" "to sharpen", whose meaning has been modified in modern times to include "to con"; or from the tsetse fly, as the language was first known as Flytaal, although flaai also means "cool" or "street smart". The word taal in Afrikaans means "language".

GHETTO RUFF is an independent South African recording label specializing in kwaito, hip hop, soul, house, gospel and rhythm and blues. Having been formed around the need to have a voice against apartheid GR released Prophets of da City who had tracks banned by the government of the day.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Thandiswa Mazwai</span> South African musician

Thandiswa Nyameka Mazwai is a South African musician, and is also the lead vocalist and songwriter of Bongo Maffin. She is also known as King Tha. Her debut album Zabalaza (2004), which attained double platinum status and her album also got nominated for Planet Awards on BBC Radio 3.

Zola is a section of the Soweto township lying south of Johannesburg in Gauteng, South Africa. A number of well-known public figures, mostly musicians call Zola their home and were born and bred there.

Oscar Sibonginkosi Mdlongwa is a South African recording artist, DJ, record producer and businessman. Having been in the music industry for over 26 years, Oskido has reached a prominent status in the South African music industry, more-so in popular youth culture. He is undoubtedly one of the pioneering artists that popularised the Kwaito genre of music outside of the townships of South Africa, and he's been central to the rise of Afro-house and opened doors for the new genre known as amapiano. Oskido is the co-founder of Kalawa Jazmee Records, a record label that is home to musical acts like Mafikizolo, Bongo Maffin, and many other foremost groups.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kwesta</span> South African rapper

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.

Menzi Ngubane was a South African actor, best known for playing the role of Sibusiso Dlomo in the soap opera Generations from 2003 to 2014. Ngubane played numerous roles on other South African TV shows, including Yizo Yizo, Ashes to Ashes, Gold Diggers, and Heist. In 2016, he joined the cast of the television drama series Isibaya, playing a taxi firm manager with a dubious past.

Yizo Yizo was a South African television teen drama series which aired from 27 January 1999 to 1 July 2004 on SABC 1.

<i>Yizo Yizo</i> (soundtrack)

Three Yizo Yizo soundtrack albums were produced through CCP Records to accompany the teen drama TV Show Yizo Yizo. They mainly consist of Kwaito music.

Meshack Mavuso Magabane, is a South African actor and director. He is best known for his roles in the popular serials Heist, Isidingo, Yizo Yizo ,Isithembiso and Durban gen as Dr Thabo Dlamini.

Thembi Seete is a South African actress, musician, multimedia personality and model. She is best known as a member of former kwaito group Boom Shaka. She played the role of "Gladys" in the Mzansi Magic telenovela Gomora. from its debut in 2020 to its finale in 2023.

Jabu Christopher Kubheka, was a South African actor and model. He is best known for the roles in the television serials such as; Yizo Yizo, Zone 14 and Vat 'n Sit.

Dumisani Dlamini is a South African actor and dancer best known for playing Crocodile on Sarafina! (1992) and Chester on Yizo Yizo. He is the father of American musician Doja Cat.

References

  1. Mpapu, Hopewell. "Zola 7 on his illness, being honoured by industry peers and doing more good". Truelove. Retrieved 1 August 2022.
  2. "The Kwaito Generation : Inside Out :: A production of 90.9 WBUR Boston, MA". Archived from the original on 10 February 2008. Retrieved 22 February 2008. The Kwaito Generation
  3. 1 2 Rogers, Douglas (20 June 2002). "Straight outta Jo'burg". The Guardian. Retrieved 8 January 2019.
  4. Shota, Babalwa (2004) 'Dare to Dream.' "Sunday Times Magazine", 9, 10–12 May.
  5. "Zola: the townships' beating heart" . The Independent . 14 April 2006. Archived from the original on 7 May 2022. Retrieved 8 January 2019.
  6. https://www.dstv.com/mzansimagic/en-za/news/isibaya-meets-ayeye
  7. Moganedi, Kgomotso (15 January 2015). "The return of Zola 7?". Daily Sun. Retrieved 8 January 2019.
  8. Mopedi, Kemong (15 June 2015). "Bonginkosi 'Zola' Dlamini back with a bang". Destiny Man. Retrieved 8 January 2019.
  9. Mkhwanazi, Katlego (2 July 2015). "Utatakho - A dose of paternity drama". Mail & Guardian. Retrieved 8 January 2019.
  10. Mothombeni, Aubrey (2 September 2018). "Zola 7 back with new telly show". The Sowetan. Retrieved 8 January 2019.
  11. Kekana, Chrizelda (7 September 2018). "Wondering if Hope with Zola is the same as Zola 7? We've got the 411!". Sunday Times. Retrieved 8 January 2019.
  12. 1 2 The Kwaito Generation : Inside Out :: A production of 90.9 WBUR Boston, MA Archived 10 February 2008 at the Wayback Machine
  13. BBC World Service | Rhythms of the Continent
  14. 1 2 Mhlambi, Thokozani. "'Kwaitofabulous': The study of a South African urban genre." Journal of the Musical Arts in Africa, vol 1 (2004): 116-27.
  15. Zola: Rising music icon of our time
  16. Stanley-Niaah, Sonjah. "Mapping of Black Atlantic Performance Geographies: From Slave Ship to Ghetto." In Black Geographies and the Politics of Place, ed. by Katherine McKittrick and Clyde Woods, 193-217. Cambridge, MA: South End Press, 2007
  17. 'I saw blood on the street' | Features | guardian.co.uk Film
  18. Nhlanhla Sibongile Mafu, Johannesburg, 2002 "hybridization and slang in South African poetry" Kagablog 12 December 2007
  19. "Zola rocking the airwaves". eNCA. Retrieved 26 May 2020.
  20. "What Happened To Bonginkosi Dlamini AKA Zola 7 - RedLive". Archived from the original on 29 October 2018.