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Bongekile Mildred Simelane (born March 25, 1994), better known as Babes Wodumo is a South African gqom artist and choreographer.[2] She rose to fame following the release of her breakthrough song "Wololo", in 2016. The song later appeared on her debut studio album, Gqom Queen, released in late 2016.[3]

Babes Wodumo
Born	Bongekile Mildred Simelane (1994-03-25) March 25, 1994 (age 28) Durban, South Africa
Other names	Gqom Queen Idando Kazi
Citizenship	South Africa
Occupation	Singer Choreographer Dancer
Years active	2016–present
Spouse	Mampintsha ​ (m. 2020)​ [1]
Children	1
Parent	Bishop Welcome Simelane (father)

Babes Wodumo is a part of the music connoisseurs who were pivotal in influencing the genre's international acclaim included the likes of South African rapper Okmalumkoolkat, Italian record label Gqom Oh owner, Malumqawz Kole[4] inclusive of music taste-makeraand public relations liaison, Cherish Lala Mankai[4] and Afrotainment record label owner DJ Tira. She appeared on Black Panther: The Album on a song called "Redemption".[3] In 2017, Wodumo was nominated for the BET Award for Best International Act: Africa.[5] In July 2020, she released her second album Idando Kazi.[6]

Life and career

1994-2013: Early childhood

Bongekile Mildred Simelane was born in March 25, 1994, Lamontville, Chatsworth. Her father Welcome Simelane is a Bishop.

2014-2019: Career beginnings, breakthrough, Black Panther

She released her first song titled "Desha" produced by Sir Bubzin, In 2014. After she signed a record deal with West Ink, her breakthrough hit single "Wololo" featuring Mampintsha was released in December 2015 in South Africa.[7] The song earned her nomination for Best Breakthrough Artist and Song of the Year at MTV Africa Music Awards.[8]

Her debut studio album Gqom Queen Vol. 1 blended with Gqom was released. The album proceeded with three singles "Wololo", "Umgan Wami" and "Mercedes". Upon its release the song surpassed 28 million streams and debuted at number 3 on iTunes charts.[9][10] The album was certified platinum (RiSA) for South Africa sales 30 0000.

Her album created her the opportunity to feature on the Black Panther album by Kendrick Lamar.

2020-present: Idando Kazi

On 24 July 2020, she released her second studio album Idando Kazi‘’under Sabusiswa Genius Ncube’s Management at West Ink Records,[11] features Mampintsha, Skillz, T.N.S,Madanon,Worst Behavior and many others.[12] The "eLamont" was released as the lead single of the album features Mampintsha and Skillz debuted at number 3 on South African iTunes charts.

Babes Wodumo got congratulations flood her timeline after announcing the huge win her debut album, Gqom Queen Vol 1 bagged.

The singer alongside her lover, Mampintsha, who is West Ink record label boss, announced the exciting news on social media.

At 27th South African Music Awards Idando Kazi received a nominations. In 2021 she and his husband launched their reality show Uthando Lodumo which airs on Showmax.[13]

Personal life

Domestic violence case

On 3 March 2019, reports surfaced that Wodumo's boyfriend and manager Mandla "Mampintsha" Maphumulo had physically assaulted her. Wodumo broadcast the incident on Instagram Live. Mampintsha was arrested on suspicion of assault.[14] Even though the relationship between the two had appeared to be over, both parties agreed to counselling and reconciled and are on good terms, with Mampintsha appearing on her second album Idando Kazi.[6]

Marriage and children

Babes Wodumo married Mandla Maphumulo in 2020. In 2021 they had their first child, even though Babes' parents didn't know. They have a reality show, "uthando lodumo," which premiered on Showmax channel (495)

SAMAs

In 2017, Wodumo was the most nominated artist at the 23rd South African Music Awards. However, she did not win any award, and this led to an altercation after the singer accused the personnel from the SAMA 23 of buying awards.[15]

Discography

Studio albums

In 2016, Babes released her breakthrough album where she featured Mampintsha in all the songs on the project. The album also features Nigerian superstar D'banj, Madanon, Cassper Nyovest, DJ Sox, Sparks Wabantwana, Scoop, Kholwane, Khuzani, Danger & DJ Tira

In July 2020, she released her second project, titled Indando Kazi, where she featured mostly Mampintsha on 10 out of the 13 tracks. Other artists include RockBoy, Cultivated Soulz & Sizwe Mdlalose, Rhythm Soundz, Dladla Mshunqisi, Her all time friend Madanon and Tipcee, among others.

List of studio albums

Title	Album details	Certification
Gqom Queen Vol.1[16]	Released: 2016 Format: Digital download, CD, streaming	RiSA: Gold
Indando Kazi[6]	Released: 2020 Format: Digital download, CD, streaming

Singles

Artist	Featuring	Title
Babes Wodumo	featuring Mampintsha and Sklliz	eLamont
Babes Wodumo	featuring Mampintsha, TNS and Skillz	Abadala
Babes Wodumo	featuring Rhythm Soundz, Dladla Mshunqisi and Tipcee	Angeke
Babes Wodumo	featuring Mampintsha and Worst Behavior	Corona
Babes Wodumo	featuring Mampintsha and Drega	Dankie Jack
Babes Wodumo	featuring Mampintsha, Madanon and Drega	Intombi Yesgebengu
Babes Wodumo	featuring Mampintsha, RockBoy, Cultivated Soulz and Sizwe Mdlalose	Izitha
Babes Wodumo	feat. Native Life, Madanon and Mampintsha	Levels
Babes Wodumo	featuring Drega and Sizwe Mdlalos	MaTen Ten
Babes Wodumo	featuring RockBoy, Madanon and Benzy	Umzimba
Babes Wodumo	featuring RockBoy, Madanon and Benzy	Umzimba
Babes Wodumo	featuring RockBoy, Madanon and Benzy	Umzimba
Babes Wodumo	featuring Newlandz Finest	Ungangyeki

Awards and nominations

Year	Nominee / work	Award	Result
16th Metro FM Music Awards	Gqom Queen Vol.1	Best Dance Album	Nominated
	Gqom Queen Vol.1	Best Female Album	Nominated
	Wololo (feat. Mampintsha & Distruction Boyz	Song Of The Year)	Nominated
23rd South African Music Awards	Herself	Newcomer Of The Year	Nominated
	Female Artist Of The Year	Herself	Nominated
	Wololo (feat. Mampintsha & Distruction Boyz)	Record Of The Year	Nominated
	Gqom Queen Vol.1	Album of the Year	Nominated
	Female Artist Of The Year	Herself	Nominated
MTV Africa Music Awards 2016	Song Of The Year	Wololo (feat. Mampintsha and Distruction Boyz)	Nominated
BET Awards 2017	Herself	Best International Act: Africa	Nominated
Dance Music Awards 2017	Gqom Queen Vol.1	Best Dance Female Artist	Won
2017MTV EMA	Herself	Best African Act	Nominated
All African Music Awards 2018	Herself	Best Female Artiste in Southern Africa	Nominated
South African Gqom Awards 2019	Ka Dazz	Song Of The Year	Nominated
	Herself	Best Female	Won
	Ka Dazz	Best Music Video	Nominated
	Ka Dazz	Best Music Video Director	Nominated
27th South African Music Awards	Idando Kazi	Best Gqom Album	Nominated

References

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