Siyabonga Nene, popularly known as Big Zulu, is a South African rapper, singer, and actor who was born on April 7, 1986. After releasing the single “Donsa Nkabi” in 2016, he gained notoriety.Zulu released three albums after signing a record deal with Universal Music in 2015: Ushun Wenkabi,Ungqongqoshe Wongqongqoshe (2019) and Ichwane Lenyoka 2021.
Ichwane Lenyoka (2021), Zulu’s third studio album, produced the number-one singles “Mali Eningi,” “Inhlupheko,” and “Umuzi eSandton.” The Recording Industry of South Africa awarded double platinum certification to its lead hit, “Mali Eningi” (RiSA).Zulu additionally made an appearance in the television programs Isithembiso, Isibaya, One Mic (2017–2020), and Uzalo. Seven South African Hip Hop Awards and one South African Music Award are among his honors.
Where was Big Zulu Born
Big Zulu was born and raised in Bergville and has always had a passion for music. Maskandi and Scathamiya music at that time had a big impact on his passion. His favorite musicians included Imithente, Phuzekhemisi, and Ladysmith Black Mambazo.
Career
Big Zulu did not jump straight into music as soon as he could do so.Up until 2008, he worked as a cab driver before making the decision to enter the music industry. Siyabonga Nene started composing, producing, and performing his own Inkabi rap songs in 2009.He worked as an independent artist for six years before being discovered by people like Ntokozo Sithole and signing with Universal Records. Big Zulu has since been able to collaborate with well-known figures like Zakwe, Maraza, PRO, Cassper Nyovest, Emtee, Sjava, and Kwesta Dakar. Even Damien Marley was a collaborator of his. He was hired to serve as a Brentwood ambassador in 2018. The renowned pantsulas are produced by Brentwood.
He released his Big Zulu album under Universal Records in 2018, and it is an amazing effort that details his life and experiences. He has acted in a number of well-known soap operas in South Africa, including Isibaya, Uzalo, and Isithembiso, aside from music. Additionally, he appeared in the hip-hop program One Mic, which is shown on SABC 1. He released the song “Mali Eningi” in November 2020 with Intaba Yase Dubai and Ricky Rick. On the Channel 0 Top 30 Chart, the song peaked at number two.In the Best Collaboration category of the 27th South African Music Awards, the song won.Rapper Inhlupheko releases a new track on March 11, 2021. It was the number-one single on the South African iTunes charts and featured Mduduzi Ncube. On the Shazam charts, it rose to position 4 as well.
Big Zulu Albums
He spent several years working as an independent singer until signing a record deal with Universal Music Records in 2015. His debut album, Ushun Wenkabi, featured the singles “Ang’mazi umama” and “Home,” and it was released in July 2018.
2019 saw the release of his second studio album, Ungqongqoshe Wongqongqoshe, which featured Truhitz, Ab Crazy, Mnqobi Yazo, FiFi Cooper, Kwesta, Caspper Nyovest, and Ab Crazy. Kwesta’s “Ak’laleki,” the album’s lead track, was made public. His second single, “Ama Million,” with Cassper Nyovest and Musiholiq, was released on August 2 and reached its highest position of No. 5 on the iTunes Chart. The song has a platinum certification. His third song, “Vuma dlozi,” with Mnqobi Yazo, was released on August 14 and given a platinum certification by the Recording industry of South Africa (RiSA) after selling 50 000 copies.
The Recording Industry of South Africa (RiSA) awarded the album a gold certification, and it was nominated for Best Hip Hop Album at the 26th South African Music Awards (SAMA). The album was nominated for Album of the Year and Best Male Artist of the Year at the South African Hip Hop Awards in the same year, 2019, respectively. He founded Nkabi Records, his own record company.
After taking home an incredible seven prizes, Big Zulu emerged as the true champion of the South African Hip Hop Awards. In addition to winning Song of the Year and Collaboration of the Year for Imali Eningi, he won Best Album for Ichwane Lenyoka. In addition, he received accolades for Best Video, Best Male, Best Digital Sales, and Ubuntu Activism.The artist put his entire being into his record, “iChwane Lenyoka,” and the sales figures spoke for themselves. The project is still at the top of the charts a year and a few months after it was released, and Big Zulu is now hailed as the hip-hop artist with the biggest album.
For a lot of fans of the style, Big Zulu’s album is a musical treasure. Popular up-and-coming artists like Ami Faku and the well-known Sjava are featured on the 20-track album. iChwane Lenyoka has been streamed so frequently that it is almost certainly going to become legendary. According to SA Hip Hop Mag, the album has held the top spot on the iTunes Hip Hop/Rap charts since September. And as if that weren’t enough of an accomplishment, Big Zulu has managed to top Kendrick Lamar’s To Pimp a Butterfly and Drake’s Views on the charts.
From taxi driver to King of Rap
Siyabonga Nene, well known by his stage as Big Zulu, was born into extreme poverty and is the epitome of a rags to riches tale. The artist is now mingling with prominent figures in the entertainment sector.Big Zulu gave up his day job as a taxi driver in 2008 to pursue his passion of becoming a rapper, a dream he had always known he possessed. The rapper began engaging in underground fights the next year, where he faced off against other budding musicians. He won a rap competition held by Back to the City, earning the title “King of Rap.”
The rapper went one step further and started his own label, Inkabi Records, after leaving his previous one. Following that, he released Mali eningi, his main single, which featured Intaba Yase Dubai and Ricky Rick. The song, which was quadruple platinum and reached the top of numerous charts, is what made him most famous. The record went on to win album of the year, while the song won him an award for best collaboration. Because of that album, he received five additional accolades.Big Zulu has joined forces with Spitz as the brand ambassador for carvella in addition to being the founder and CEO of Inkabi Records. He worked in charity since he had poor origins and never forgot where he came from. The rapper donated laptops and printers to Obonjaneni Primary School out of his pocket.
Awards
Big Zulu has won numerous awards. He received numerous honors. The well-known rapper has received numerous honors, including:
Album of the Year
Song of the Year(“Mali Eningi”)
Best Music Video
Best Male and Ubuntu Activism Award
Best Collaboration
Best Digital Sales at the 2021 South African Hip Hop Awards.
Endorsement
He represents prestigious apparel companies Brentwood and Carvella. His father inspired him to love the brand, as he said in his speech during the 20th anniversary of Brentwood. He added that it was regarded as fashionable even when he was operating a cab service in the past. His clothes are pricey and custom-made, and they speak volumes about him.
Big Zulu has already secured deals, and he also serves as the brand ambassador for Bentwood pants. In the world of amapantsulas, Bentwood is a well-known brand in the amapantsula communityHis most recent contract goes well with his sense of fashion, the “inkabi” (taxi driver) appearance he utilizes to dispel cliches about the term.He went live on Instagram to discuss the collaboration and thanked all of his “Nkabis and Nkabikazis” (fans) for their support.He talked about how a shoe produced especially for him by an international fashion brand.
The gifted rapper now serves as a brand ambassodor for Carvela. The happy The news was announced on social media by Big Zulu, who also serves as the brand ambassador for the historically significant apparel company Brentwood. Local superstars like Riky Rick, Stilo Magolide, Nomvelo Makhanya, and Zakwe SA showed the post a lot of support.The humble musician continued by expressing gratitude to all of his friends and fans for their support. Later, he went live on Instagram to discuss the collaboration with the company Carvela and to show off the sneaker that it had developed specifically for him.
With Big Zulu admitting that he did appreciate conversing with and exchanging ideas about working together with the international fashion company, we get a feel of the amazing partnership that is to come through the live. Check out Big Zulu on Instagram to get even more fashion advice from the man himself.
Big Zulu is now the new ambassador for SPITZ SHOES 👏🙌🎉 pic.twitter.com/ZYYdfumCIu
— 🐝 Skool_Of_Rap 🇿🇦™ (@Skool_Of_Rap) July 31, 2020
Langa Mavuso, who recently teamed with Levi’s, is one of the musicians who bagged a deal with a clothing retailer. Mavuso has a line of denim that bears his name on the label. He is also putting out his debut album, Mavuso, which is about his heartbreak and how he lost his first love while still in high school.Additionally working as a brand ambassador for a local company, Quiteria Atelier, which is singer-songwriter Makhadzi Muimbiza. The singer of the hit song “Matorokisi” is featured in the newest Quiteria Atelier collection, which includes the pieces “The New Order,” “The Influencer,” and “The Authority.”
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