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Siyabonga Nene (born 7 April 1986[1]), known professionally as Big Zulu, is a South African rapper, songwriter and actor.[2] Born and raised in Bergville, KwaZulu-Natal, Zulu rose to spotlight after releasing the single "Donsa Nkabi" in 2016.

This article is about the singer. For other use, see Big Zuu.

Big Zulu
Background information
Birth nameSiyabonga Nene
Born (1986-04-07) 7 April 1986 (age 36)
Bergville, South Africa
Occupation(s)
  • Rapper
  • songwriter
  • actor
  • poet
Years active2009–present
Labels
  • Universal Records (former)
  • Nkabi Records

He signed a record deal with Universal Music in 2015 and Zulu released his debut album, Ushun Wenkabi (2018)[1] and Ungqongqoshe Wongqongqoshe (2019).

Zulu's third studio album Ichwane Lenyoka (2021), spawned three chart-topping singles "Mali Eningi", "Inhlupheko" and "Umuzi eSandton". Its lead single "Mali Eningi", was certified double platinum by the Recording Industry of South Africa (RiSA).[1]

Zulu also appeared in the television shows Isibaya, One Mic (2017-2020),[3] Uzalo (2020) and Isithembiso.[4] His accolades include seven South African Hip Hop Awards, and one South African Music Award.


Early life


Siyabonga Nene was born and raised in Bergville, KwaZulu-Natal. He grew up listening to Maskandi and Isichathamiya music, influenced by Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Phuzekemisi and Imithente.[5]


Artistry



Influences


He is influenced by Maskandi and Scathamiya.[6] He used to live in the Vaal in a place called Palm Springs.


Career



Career beginnings


Zulu spent several years as a taxi driver and quit in 2008 to pursue his career in music. In 2009, he started writing songs and performing and earned title "King of Rap" in the rap battle contest held by Back to the City. His debut single "Donsa Nkabi" was released in 2016.[7]


2014–2019: Ushun Wenkabi, Ungqongqoshe Wongqongqoshe


After a number of years as an independent artist, he signed a record deal with Universal Music Records in 2015 and released his debut album Ushun Wenkabi in July 2018, with singles including "Ang'mazi umama" and "Home".[8]

His second studio album Ungqongqoshe Wongqongqoshe was released in 2019,[9] featuring Ab Crazy, Mnqobi Yazo, FiFi Cooper, Kwesta, Caspper Nyovest, Musiholiq and Truhitz.[10] The lead single "Ak'laleki" featuring Kwesta was released. In 2 August his second single "Ama Million" featuring Cassper Nyovest & Musiholiq was released and peaked No. 5 on the iTunes Chart.[11][12] The song was certified platinum.[13][14] In August 14, his third single "Vuma dlozi" featuring Mnqobi Yazo was released[15] and certified platinum by the Recording industry of South Africa (RiSA) with sales of 50 000 copies.[13] The album was certified gold by the Recording Industry of South Africa (RiSA)[16] and earned a nomination at the South African Music Awards (SAMA26) for Best Hip Hop Album.[17] In the same year, 2019, the album was nominated for Best Male Artist of the Year and Album of the Year at the South African Hip Hop Awards.[18] He established his own record label Nkabi Records.[19]


2020–present: Ichwane Lenyoka, New projects


On November 20, 2020, his single "Mali Eningi" was released featuring Intaba Yase Dubai & Ricky Rick as the album's lead single. The song debuted number 2 on Channel 0 Top 30 charts [20] and was certified double platinum.[21] At the 27th annual South African Music Awards, "Mali Eningi" won Best collaboration category.[22] At the end of 2020 he was selected for the first time on MTV Base: SA's Hottest MCs, at the fifth place.[23]

Towards the end of the January 2021, he announced the working on his third studio album.[24][25][26]

On March 11, 2021, he released a single "Inhlupheko" featuring Mduduzi Ncube as the second single.[27] The song peaked at number one on the South African iTunes charts and reach number 4 on Shazam charts.[28]

On 3 July 2021, he announced a new single titled "Umuzi eSandton" featuring Lwah Ndlunkulu on Twitter.[29] The song was released on 9 July 2021;[30] It was featured on his album Ichwane Lenyoka, which was released on 3 September 2021.[31] The single "Umuzi eSandton" reached number one on Shazam charts.[32]

On September 13, 2021, he performed on season 14 on Idols South Africa.[33] Zulu won seven awards includes; Album of the Year, Song of the Year ("Mali Eningi"), Best Music Video, Best Male and Ubuntu Activism Award, Best Collaboration, and Best Digital Sales at the 2021 South African Hip Hop Awards.[34] At the end of 2021 he was selected again on MTV Base: SA's Hottest MCs, climbing to the second place.[35]

"iVolovolo" featuring Xowla was released on February 11, 2022. The song debuted number one in South Africa.[36][37]

"Voicemail" by Big Zulu Mduduzi Ncube, Lwah Ndlunkulu, Siya Ntuli and Xowla was released as album's lead single on June 24, 2022.[38] The song was certified Gold and reached number one in South Africa.[39][40]

Zulu released "150 Bars (Ke hip hop Dawg)" on August 20, 2022.

Zulu announced albums release date and final track listing on Instagram, released on September 09, 2022.[41]


Other ventures


In 2019, Zulu founded the record label Inkabi Records.[42] Zulu has since signed Mduduzi Ncube.[43]

On September 21, 2021, Zulu started charity and donated with laptops and printers to Obonjaneni Primary School.[44]

As of August 2020, he partnered with Spitz as the ambassador of carvella.[45][46]


Discography



Studio albums



Collaborative albums



As lead artist


List of singles as lead artist, with selected chart positions and certifications, showing year released and album name
Title Year Peak chart positions Certifications Album
ZA
"AmaMillion" featuring Musiholiq, Cassper Nyovest 2019 Platinum[48] Ngqongqoshe Wongqongqoshe
"Vuma Dlozi" featuring Mnqobi Yazo Platinum[48]
"Mali Eningi" featuring Ntaba Yase Dubai, Ricky Rick 2021 2 2× Platinum Ichwane Lenyoka
"Umuzi eSandton" featuring Lwah Ndlunkulu — Platinum
"Inhlupheko" featuring Mduduzi Ncube 1 Platinum
"iVolovolo" featuring Xowla 2022 — Platinum

Awards and nominations


Year Award Category Results Ref.
2019 S A H H A Album of the Year Nominated [49][18]
Best Male Artist of the Year Nominated
SAMA 26 Best Hip Hop Album Nominated [50][51]
2020 S A H H A Best Remix Nominated [52]
2021 SAMA 27 Best Collaboration Won [22][53]
2021 SAHHA 10 Album of the Year Won [54][55]
Best Male Won
Song of the Year Won
Best Collaboration Won
MVP/Hustler of the Year Nominated
Best Video Won
Ubuntu Activism Award Won
Best Digital Sales Won
2022 DStv MVCA Favourite Song Nominated [56]
Favourite Music Artist/Group Nominated

References


  1. "Happy Birthday Big Zulu! A Look Into Big Zulu's Best Selling Records". SA Hip Hop Mag. 7 April 2021.
  2. Kwach, Julie (22 April 2020). "Big Zulu bio age, girlfriend, arrested, songs, album, home, profile". briefly.co.za.
  3. "One Mic | TVSA". TVSA.
  4. Nteyi, Zama (8 January 2020). "BIG ZULU OPENS UP THE INDUSTRY!". DailySun.
  5. "Big Zulu Biography, Age, Real name, Music, Girlfriend, Net Worth". Savanna News. 19 November 2020.
  6. "Basha Uhuru – Big Zulu". bashauhuru.co.za.
  7. "Taxi driver-actor-rapper's album revs up legion of fans". DispatchLIVE.
  8. "Big Zulu Unleashes New Album, Ushun Wenkabi". 20 July 2018.
  9. "Big Zulu Celebrates Momentous Achievement For Sophomore Album". SA Hip Hop Mag. 5 February 2021.
  10. "DOWNLOAD: ALBUM: Big Zulu – Ungqongqoshe Wongqongqoshe »» Fakaza". 13 September 2019.
  11. "Ama Million (feat. Cassper Nyovest & Musiholiq)". top-charts.com.
  12. "Big Zulu Has Announced The "AmaMillion" Release Date | Slikouronlife". Slikouronlife. 30 July 2019.
  13. "BIG ZULU HITS MAJOR MILESTONE!". DailySun.
  14. "Big Zulu's Nkabi Nation Celebrates New Certifications » Ubetoo". Ubetoo.
  15. "Big Zulu releases new single, Vuma Dlozi, featuring Mnqobi Yazo". JustNje. Retrieved 14 August 2020.
  16. "Big Zulu's "Ungqongqoshe Wongqongqoshe" album certified gold | Fakaza News". 5 February 2021.
  17. "AND THE SAMA NOMINEES ARE..." DailySun.
  18. "The SA Hip-Hop Awards 2019 Nominees Are Revealed". SlikouronLife.
  19. Sekudu, Bonolo. "Big Zulu spreads his love for his culture in everything he does". Drum.
  20. "Channel O - Blaq Diamond, Mduduzi, Big Zulu Dominate — Channel O Top 30 h". Channel 0. Retrieved 3 March 2021.
  21. "Big Zulu's "Mali Eningi" reaches double platinum". Fakaza News. 26 March 2021.
  22. Shumba, Ano (19 May 2021). "South African Music Awards 2021: All the nominees | Music In Africa". Music In Africa.
  23. Tucker, Mercia (27 January 2021). "MTV Base ranks its Hottest MCs (and new wave artists) for 2020". The Plug. Retrieved 6 March 2022.
  24. Mpembe, Thando (20 January 2021). "Big Zulu Hints at Dropping a New Album for His 'Nkabi Nation'". Briefly.
  25. Mpembe, Thando (20 January 2021). "Big Zulu Hints at Dropping a New Album for His 'Nkabi Nation'". Briefly. Retrieved 3 September 2022.
  26. "Big Zulu Teases An Album Drop For The 'Nkabi Nation'". Entertainment South Africa. 21 January 2021.
  27. "Big Zulu goes from Imali Eningi to Inhlupheko". Independent Online. 18 March 2021. Retrieved 14 January 2022.
  28. Mxolisi Mngadi (24 March 2021). "Big Zulu's New Epic Single 'Inhlupheko' Hits Number 1 on iTunes". Briefly.
  29. Jabulani, John (7 July 2021). "Big Zulu To Release 'Umuzi ESandton' Featuring Lwah Ndlunkulu This Friday". Ubetoo.
  30. "Big Zulu Releases "Umuzi Esandton" (Feat. Lwah The Ndlunkulu) | Slikouronlife". Slikouronlife. 9 July 2021.
  31. Manjo, Theo (16 August 2021). "Big Zulu's 'Ichwane Lenyoka' Album Drops On The 3rd Of September And Here's What You Need To Know | Slikouronlife". Slikouronlife.
  32. "Shazam".
  33. Israel A, John (13 September 2021). "Watch Makhadzi, Mthandazo Gatya, Big Zulu, Pabi Cooper & Boohle Perform On Idols SA". Ubetoo.
  34. Sibanda, Anelisa (11 December 2021). "Big Zulu wins big at SA Hip Hop Awards - Sunday World". Sunday World. Retrieved 12 December 2021.
  35. Shumba, Ano (7 December 2021). "SA: MTV Base announces Hottest MCs of 2021". Music In Africa. Retrieved 6 March 2022.
  36. Gaanakgomo, Constance (27 February 2022). "Big Zulu thanks 'Nkabi Nation' as his song tops the charts". TimesLIVE. Retrieved 24 June 2022.
  37. Jabulani, John (11 June 2022). "Big Zulu Mocks SA Rappers Following His Chart-Topping Reign". Ubetoo.
  38. "Big Zulu Releases "Voicemail" Single featuring Mduduzi Ncube, Lwah Ndlunkulu, Siya Ntuli & Xowla". Slikour On Life. 24 June 2022. Retrieved 3 September 2022.
  39. Banda, Clive (24 June 2022). "Big Zulu Reacts To "Voicemail" Reaching #1 On Apple Music". South Africa Hip Hop Magazine. Retrieved 2 September 2022.
  40. Mhlanga, Nelly (2 September 2022). "Big Zulu excitedly announced the success of his songs and album". Zambia News365. Retrieved 3 September 2022.
  41. Banda, Clive (6 August 2022). "Big Zulu Shares 'Nkabi Nation' Album Tracklist Building Up To Imminent Release". South African Hip Hop Magazine. Retrieved 6 August 2022.
  42. "Big Zulu's Inkabi Records, Here Is What We Know » Ubetoo". Ubetoo. 8 July 2020.
  43. "#TheRadar: Have You Met Inkabi Records Latest Signee, Mduduzi Ncube?". 25 January 2021.
  44. Lwandle, Sibusisiwe. "Big Zulu Donates Laptops and Printers to Local School: "I Do It Out of Love". Briefly.co.za. Retrieved 23 September 2021.
  45. Nteyi, Zama (1 August 2020). "Big Zulu partners with Spitz". Daily SUN.
  46. Mazibuko, Thobile. "Big Zulu partners with Carvella as brand ambassador". Independent Online. Retrieved 4 August 2020.
  47. "ALBUM: Big Zulu Ichwane Lenyoka". Afrobeat ZA. 2 September 2021.
  48. Mahlangu, Quincy (26 March 2021). "BIG ZULU HITS MAJOR MILESTONE!". DailySUN. Retrieved 30 September 2022.
  49. "Full list: South African Hip-Hop Awards winners". eNCA. South Africa. 21 November 2019. Retrieved 24 November 2019.
  50. "2020 Best Hip Hop Album Nominee : Big Zulu – Ungqongqoshe Wongqongqoshe".
  51. "Here's a List of the 2020 South African Music Awards (SAMAs) Winners". okayafricasite.
  52. Seroto, Butchie. "SA Hip Hop Awards 2020: All the winners | Music In Africa". Music In Africa. Retrieved 13 December 2020.
  53. Dayile, Qhama (31 July 2021). "Here's the full list of the SAMA winners | Drum". News24. South Africa.
  54. Shumba, Ano. "SA Hip Hop Awards 2021: All the nominees | Music In Africa". Music In Africa. Retrieved 3 November 2021.
  55. Donkoh, Ebenezer (10 December 2021). "SA Hip Hop Awards 2021: All The Winners". nydjlive.com. Retrieved 11 December 2021.
  56. Tsewu, Siya (13 April 2022). "The DStv Mzansi Viewers' Choice Awards are back | Drum". South Africa: Drum. Retrieved 14 April 2022.


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