Simmy

Last updated

Simmy
Birth nameSimphiwe Majobe Nhlangulela
Also known asSimmy
Born (1990-02-01) February 1, 1990 (age 34)
Tugela, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
GenresAfro-House, [1] neo-soul, [2] neo-folk
Occupation(s)
  • Singer
  • songwriter
Instrument(s)Vocals
Years active2017–present
Labels
  • El World Music

Simphiwe Majobe Nhlangulela, better known by her stage name Simmy, is a South African singer-songwriter. [3]

Contents

She gained prominence in 2018, after signed a record deal with EL World Music and release her debut studio album Tugela Fairy (2018), spawned with hit singles "Ngiyesaba", "Ubala", "Umahlalela". The album was certified Platinum by the Recording Industry of South Africa (RiSA).

Her second studio album Tugela fairy (Made of Stars) (2020), which debuted number 3 in one country.

Life and career

Early life and education

Simphiwe Majobe Nhlangulela was born in South Africa, as the youngest of four children. [4] In an interview with Emmanuel Tjiya Sowetan newspaper, Simmy revealed that she was raised by strict parents growing up. She is an alumna of University of KwaZulu-Natal, where she studied Social Sciences. [4]

In 2013, while she was attending at University of KwaZulu-Natal, Nhlangulela met Sandile Sithole who introduced her to Sun-El Musician. [5] After she completed her degree in Social Science, Simmy relocated to Johannesburg in 2015 to pursue her musical career.

Music career

“I discovered my voice back in primary school, but didn't take it seriously because I didn't think people would be in love with Simmy’s voice. But as time went on, I realised I could do it professionally.” [6]

Mpiletso Motumi,Independent Online

Simmy started her career by auditioning for SA Idols and SA Has Got Talent but was unsuccessful. [7]

2017-2019:Tugela Fairy

Her professional music career started in 2017 by signing to El World Music after completing her studies which was followed by the release of her debut studio album Tugela Fairy, which was featured in Apple Music artist Spotlight. [8] [9] In February 22, her single "Ubala" was released featuring Sun-El Musician. [10] The song was certified gold. The album was released on October 26, 2018, and was certified gold by the Recording industry of South Africa (RiSA) for South Africa 25 000 sales. [11] [12] Her single "Umahlalela" was certified platinum plaque. [12] At the 25th South African Music Awards, Tugela Fairy was nominated for Best Afro Pop Album.

At the 2019 South African Dance Music Awards, she won Best Female Vocalist award. [13]

2020-present:Tugela Fairy (Made of Stars)

Simmy announced work on her second studio album prior to the release of Tugela Fairy, with progress on the record continuing throughout 2020. In March 2020, she released a single "Ngihamba Nawe" fused with the classic Afro-House/neo-soul featuring vocals from Sino Msolo. [14] [15] [16] In October 2020, Simmy headlined to Rose Fest. [17]

On November 9, 2020, her second studio album Tugela Fairy (Made of Stars) was released, which debuted number 3 on Apple Music Charts. [18] [19] The album features Mthunzi, S-Tone, Da Capo, Sun-El Musician, Sino Msolo, Ami Faku, and Khuzani. Tugela Fairy (Made of Stars) received nomination for Best Afro Pop album at the 27th South African Music Awards. [20]

To promote her album Simmy launched Tugela Fairy (Made of Stars) Special Virtual Concert.

She was featured on Shay'na nge White Star campaign, which includes two dates, in May 2022. [21] The first show was held at Johannesburg on 12 May, and last one in Durban on 21 May. [21]

Artistry

Growing up in Tugela, she mainly listened to Mbaqanga, country music and Maskandi. Simmy music is generally Afro-house and Neo-Soul but she also incorporates Maskandi and RnB to her other songs. She has cited a number of artists as her inspiration Dolly Parton, Soul Brothers, Letta Mbuli, and Brenda Fassie. [22]

Personal life

Simmy is known to keeping her personal life private. [23]

Discography

Studio albums

Single discography

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
ZA
"Umahlalela"2018Platinum [12] Tugela Fairy
"Nawe"
"Ubala" featuring Sun-El Musician
"Ngiyesaba"
"Ngihamba nawe" featuring Sino Msolo2020Tugela Fairy (Made of Stars)
"Emakhaya" featuring Sun-El Musician and Da Capo Platinum
"Hlelo" featuring Msaki 2022non-single album
"How Deep is your Love" (Ralf Gum, Simmy)non-single album
"Better Together" (Jeremy Loops, Simmy)non-single album
"Show me Love" (Fancy Fingers, Simmy)2023non-single album
"Ezizweni" (Drega, Simmy)2024—non-single album
List of singles as lead artist, with selected chart positions and certifications, showing year released and album name
TitleYearPeak chart positions Certifications Album
ZA
"Ziyon" (Kenza and Claudio featuring Simmy)2020Circles of Life
"Mamezala" (Mafikizolo featuring Sun-El Musician, Simmy and Kenza)2021Idwala
"Higher" (Sun-El Musician featuring Simmy)2021African Electronic Dance Music
"Before" (Mdoovar featuring Simmy)2023Isithembiso

Awards and nominations

YearAward CeremonyPrizeResultRef.
2019 25th SAMA Newcomer of the YearNominated [26]
Best Afro Pop AlbumNominated [27]
Record of the Year (Sun-El Musician featuring Simmy and Lelo Kamau - Sonini)Won [28]
South African Dance Music AwardsBest Female VocalistWon
2020 KZN Entertainment Awards Best Female ArtistNominated [29]
2021 27th SAMA Best Afro pop AlbumNominated [30]
Record of the YearNominated
2022 Basadi in Music Awards Artist of the YearNominated [31]
Sofn'Free Dance Artist of the YearNominated
2022AFRIMABest Female Artiste in Southern Africa ("We Were Here")Nominated [32]
2023Metro FM AwardsFemale Artist of the YearNominated
Basadi in Music AwardsDance Artist of the Year ("Hlelo" featuring Msaki)Nominated [33] [34]

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References

  1. ↑ "5 minutes with Afro-House singer and songwriter Simmy | Truelove". News24.com. April 12, 2019. Archived from the original on October 17, 2023. Retrieved November 19, 2021.
  2. ↑ Beth Wahinya (May 6, 2020). "Simmy, a South African songbird has become a household name since 2014". Briefly.co.za. Archived from the original on October 17, 2023. Retrieved November 19, 2021.
  3. ↑ "Simmy". Music In Africa. September 4, 2018. Archived from the original on October 22, 2020. Retrieved August 30, 2020.
  4. 1 2 Emmanuel, Tjiya (December 14, 2018). "Songbird Simmy a fusion sensation". Sowetanlive.co.za. Archived from the original on October 1, 2020. Retrieved August 30, 2020.
  5. ↑ "Simmy On How She Met Sun-EL & Why She Fuses Music Genres - SA Music Magazine". SA Music Magazine. Retrieved April 22, 2022.[ permanent dead link ]
  6. ↑ "Simmy to light up the stage at VIVOnation festival". Iol.co.za. Archived from the original on November 27, 2021. Retrieved November 27, 2021.
  7. ↑ Mathebula, Kwanele (November 28, 2019). "5 minutes with musician Simmy". Bona Magazine. Archived from the original on October 24, 2020. Retrieved August 30, 2020.
  8. ↑ "Songbird Simmy a fusion sensation". Sowetanlive.co.za. Archived from the original on June 18, 2022. Retrieved November 27, 2021.
  9. ↑ "Top 10 Most streamed South African female artists on Apple Music". Yomzansi.com. Archived from the original on July 24, 2021. Retrieved November 19, 2021.
  10. ↑ "DOWNLOAD mp3: Simmy - Ubala ft. Sun-EL Musician". Fakaza.com. February 22, 2018. Archived from the original on August 21, 2021. Retrieved November 19, 2021.
  11. ↑ Ngenyane, Ansiswa (August 23, 2021). "Simmy's debut album goes gold!". Daily Sun. Archived from the original on January 13, 2022. Retrieved January 13, 2021.
  12. 1 2 3 "Simmy Receives Plaque Celebrating Her Platinum And Gold Success On Kaya 959 Top 30 With DJ Keyez". Ubetoo.com. August 21, 2021. Archived from the original on August 21, 2021. Retrieved August 21, 2021.
  13. ↑ Shumba, Ano (October 4, 2019). "Dance Music Awards South Africa 2019: All the winners | Music In Africa". Musicinafrica.net. Archived from the original on September 16, 2021. Retrieved September 16, 2021.
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  15. ↑ "Simmy Drops New Single 'Emakhaya' Ahead of Highly-Anticipated Sophomore Album". Okayafrica.com. October 16, 2020. Archived from the original on October 17, 2023. Retrieved November 19, 2021.
  16. ↑ "Simmy Shines With Her New Single "Ngihamba Nawe"". Yuledark.co.za. March 27, 2020. Archived from the original on September 15, 2023. Retrieved November 19, 2021.
  17. ↑ "Ami Faku, Boity, Busiswa & Simmy Headline Rose Fest 2020". Zalebs.com. October 12, 2020. Archived from the original on August 8, 2022. Retrieved October 11, 2021.
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  21. 1 2 Shumba, Ano (May 16, 2022). "SA: Shay'na nge White Star back for season three | Music In Africa". Music In Africa. Archived from the original on May 17, 2022. Retrieved May 17, 2022.
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  23. ↑ "Simmy Biography, Real Name, Age, Boyfriend, Music, Net Worth". Savanna News. July 29, 2020. Archived from the original on September 15, 2023. Retrieved August 30, 2020.
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  27. ↑ "All the 2019 SAMA winners". BIZCOMMUNITY. June 3, 2019. Archived from the original on October 17, 2023. Retrieved May 31, 2021.
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  29. ↑ Bukola (December 17, 2020). "See all the winners from the first KZN Entertainment Awards". Fakaza News. Archived from the original on May 5, 2021. Retrieved May 5, 2021.
  30. ↑ Shumba, Ano (May 19, 2021). "South African Music Awards 2021: All the nominees". Music In Africa. Archived from the original on October 14, 2023. Retrieved May 20, 2021.
  31. ↑ Shumba, Ano (July 6, 2022). "Basadi in Music Awards 2022: All the nominees". Music in Africa. Archived from the original on October 3, 2022. Retrieved July 7, 2022.
  32. ↑ Hansen, Gabriel Myers (September 16, 2022). "All Africa Music Awards 2022: All the nominees". Music in Africa. Archived from the original on October 5, 2022. Retrieved October 11, 2022.
  33. ↑ Rhode, Jade (June 30, 2023). "Here are the 2023 nominees for the Basadi in Music Awards". Archived from the original on July 21, 2023. Retrieved July 20, 2023.
  34. ↑ "Basadi in Music Awards returns for second year — Here are the nominees". TimesLIVE. Archived from the original on July 28, 2023. Retrieved July 20, 2023.
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