Simmy
Simmy | |
---|---|
Birth name | Simphiwe Majobe Nhlangulela |
Also known as | Simmy |
Born | Tugela, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa | July 9, 1994
Genres | Afro-House,[1] neo-soul,[2] neo-folk |
Occupations |
|
Instrument | Vocals |
Years active | 2017–present |
Labels |
|
Simphiwe Majobe Nhlangulela, better known by her stage name Simmy, is a South African singer-songwriter.[3]
She gained prominence in 2018, after signed a record deal with EL World Music and release her debut album Tugela Fairy (2018), spawned with hit singles "Ngiyesaba", "Ubala", "Umahlalela". The album was certified gold by the Recording industry of South Africa.
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 2016 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]
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
- Tugela Fairy (2018)[24]
- Tugela Fairy (Made of Stars) (2020)[25]
- TBA (2023)
Single discography
As lead artist
Title | Year | Peak chart positions | Certifications | Album |
---|---|---|---|---|
ZA | ||||
"Umahlalela" | 2018 | Platinum[12] | Tugela Fairy | |
"Ngihamba nawe" featuring Sino Msolo | 2020 | Tugela Fairy (Made of Stars) | ||
"Emakhaya" featuring Sun-El Musician, Da Capo | Platinum | |||
"Hlelo" featuring Msaki | 2022 | non-single album |
As featured artist
Title | Year | Peak chart positions | Certifications | Album |
---|---|---|---|---|
ZA | ||||
"Ziyon" (Kenza and Claudio featuring Simmy) | 2020 | Circles of Life | ||
"Mamezale" (Mafikizolo featuring Sun-El Musician, Simmy and Kenza) | 2021 | non-single album | ||
"Higher" (Sun-El Musician featuring Simmy) | 2021 | African Electronic Dance Music |
Awards and nominations
Year | Award Ceremony | Prize | Result | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|
2019 | 25th SAMA | Newcomer of the Year | Nominated | [26] |
Best Afro Pop Album | Nominated | [27] | ||
Record of the Year (Sun-El Musician featuring Simmy and Lelo Kamau - Sonini) | Won | [28] | ||
South African Dance Music Awards | Best Female Vocalist | Won | ||
2020 | KZN Entertainment Awards | Best Female Artist | Nominated | [29] |
2021 | 27th SAMA | Best Afro pop Album | Nominated | [30] |
Record of the Year | Nominated | |||
2022 | Basadi in Music Awards | Artist of the Year | Nominated | [31] |
Sofn'Free Dance Artist of the Year | Nominated | |||
2022 | AFRIMA | Best Female Artiste in Southern Africa ("We Were Here") | Pending | [32] |
References
- ^ "5 minutes with Afro-House singer and songwriter Simmy | Truelove". News24.com. April 12, 2019. Retrieved November 19, 2021.
- ^ Beth Wahinya (May 6, 2020). "Simmy, a South African songbird has become a household name since 2014". Briefly.co.za. Retrieved November 19, 2021.
- ^ "Simmy". Music In Africa. September 4, 2018. Retrieved August 30, 2020.
- ^ a b Emmanuel, Tjiya (December 14, 2018). "Songbird Simmy a fusion sensation". Sowetanlive.co.za. Retrieved August 30, 2020.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ "Simmy On How She Met Sun-EL & Why She Fuses Music Genres - SA Music Magazine". SA Music Magazine. Retrieved April 22, 2022.
- ^ "Simmy to light up the stage at VIVOnation festival". Iol.co.za. Retrieved November 27, 2021.
- ^ Mathebula, Kwanele (November 28, 2019). "5 minutes with musician Simmy". Bona Magazine. Retrieved August 30, 2020.
- ^ "Songbird Simmy a fusion sensation". Sowetanlive.co.za. Retrieved November 27, 2021.
- ^ "Top 10 Most streamed South African female artists on Apple Music". Yomzansi.com. Retrieved November 19, 2021.
- ^ "DOWNLOAD mp3: Simmy - Ubala ft. Sun-EL Musician". Fakaza.com. February 22, 2018. Retrieved November 19, 2021.
- ^ Ngenyane, Ansiswa (August 23, 2021). "Simmy's debut album goes gold!". Daily Sun. Retrieved January 13, 2021.
- ^ a b c "Simmy Receives Plaque Celebrating Her Platinum And Gold Success On Kaya 959 Top 30 With DJ Keyez". Ubetoo.com. August 21, 2021.
- ^ Shumba, Ano (October 4, 2019). "Dance Music Awards South Africa 2019: All the winners | Music In Africa". Musicinafrica.net.
- ^ Samanga, Rufaro. "Listen to Simmy's New Single 'Ngihamba Nawe' - OkayAfrica". Okayafrica.com. Retrieved March 27, 2020.
- ^ "Simmy Drops New Single 'Emakhaya' Ahead of Highly-Anticipated Sophomore Album". Okayafrica.com. October 16, 2020. Retrieved November 19, 2021.
- ^ "Simmy Shines With Her New Single "Ngihamba Nawe"". Yuledark.co.za. March 27, 2020. Retrieved November 19, 2021.
- ^ "Ami Faku, Boity, Busiswa & Simmy Headline Rose Fest 2020". Zalebs.com. October 12, 2020.
- ^ Miya, Madzadza (November 9, 2020). "Listen to Simmy's New Album 'Tugela Fairy (Made of Stars)' - OkayAfrica". OkayAfrica.
- ^ de Wee, Naledi (August 3, 2021). "Meet Mzansi's three most-streamed female artists on Apple Music [watch]". The South African. Retrieved April 2, 2022.
- ^ Dayile, Qhama (July 31, 2021). "Here's the full list of the SAMA winners | Drum". News24.com. South Africa.
- ^ a b Shumba, Ano (May 16, 2022). "SA: Shay'na nge White Star back for season three | Music In Africa". Music In Africa. Retrieved May 17, 2022.
- ^ Tjiya, Emmanuel. "Songbird Simmy a fusion sensation". Sowetanlive.co.za. Retrieved December 14, 2018.
- ^ "Simmy Biography, Real Name, Age, Boyfriend, Music, Net Worth". Savanna News. July 29, 2020. Retrieved August 30, 2020.
- ^ "Tugela Fairy album". iminathi. Retrieved November 20, 2018.
- ^ "Tugela Fairy (Made of Stars) album". iminathi. November 5, 2020. Retrieved November 5, 2020.
- ^ "Let's hear it for the #SAMA25 winners". Iol.co.za. Retrieved August 30, 2020.
- ^ "All the 2019 SAMA winners". BIZCOMMUNITY. June 3, 2019.
- ^ Mathebula, Kwanele (May 31, 2019). "2019 SAMA Record of the Year nominees". Bona Magazine. Retrieved August 30, 2020.
- ^ Bukola (December 17, 2020). "See all the winners from the first KZN Entertainment Awards". Fakaza News.
- ^ Shumba, Ano (May 19, 2021). "South African Music Awards 2021: All the nominees". Music In Africa.
- ^ Shumba, Ano (July 6, 2022). "Basadi in Music Awards 2022: All the nominees". Music in Africa. Retrieved July 7, 2022.
- ^ Hansen, Gabriel Myers (September 16, 2022). "All Africa Music Awards 2022: All the nominees". Music in Africa. Retrieved October 11, 2022.