Bongeziwe Mabandla is a South African musician based in Johannesburg, predominantly playing folk music with lyrics in isiXhosa, accompanied by a guitar.
Bongeziwe Mabandla | |
|---|---|
 Mabandla performing in Cape Town, 2019 | |
| Background information | |
| Origin | Tsolo, Eastern Cape, South Africa |
| Genres | Electronic folk |
| Occupation(s) | Singer-songwriter |
| Instrument(s) | Vocals, guitar |
| Years active | 2010–present |
| Labels |
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Early life
editMabandla grew up in the rural Eastern Cape, in a small town called Tsolo. He grew up singing in church and music was a part of his home and school life. He moved to Johannesburg to continue his studies at AFDA, The School for the Creative Economy. Here he explored an expression of musical storytelling.
Career
edit
Recorded in 2012, Mabandla's debut album, Umlilo,[1] caught the attention of Radio France Internationale Discoveries Awards, where he was named one of the Top 10 finalists in 2011. His second album, Mangaliso, was released in 2017[2] and expanded from the traditional Afro-Folk sound that Mabandla had become known for. With far more significant reach, the album earned Mabandla a SAMA (South African Music Awards) nomination for 2018 Best Alternative Album. The music video for the single "Bawo Bam" featured Spoek Mathambo, and received awards at the 2018 Capital City Black Film Awards and at the 2019 Jozi Film Fest.[3] Since the release of these two albums, Mabandla has performed on stages and at festivals across the world. This includes Reeperbahn Festival, WOMEX and Lake of Stars Festival Malawi.[4]
His third studio album, iiMini, was released on 27 March 2020.[5] The album was supported by two singles "Zange" and "Jikeleza".
At the 27th South African Music Awards, Mabandla was nominated for Remix of the Year ("Sala Nabani" - Sun-El Musician & Claudio × Kenza) and won Best Alternative Album.[6]
"Ukuthanda Wena" was released on April 3, 2023, as album's lead single.
Towards the end of April, Mabandla announced his fourth studio album amaXesha. The album was released on May 5, 2023.[7][8]
Produced by Tiago Correia-Paulo, amaXesha is xhosa soul genre with elements of Afro-folk, electronic music, contemporary soul, and soft teenage rock.[8] It won Best African Pop at the 18th Metro FM Music Awards.[9]
In April 2023, Mabandla announced his European tour which includes 9 dates, commenced in Hamburg, Germany, on 21 May and will conclude in Mühle Hunziken, Rubigen, Switzerland on 6 August.[10]
Discography
edit- Umlilo (2012)
- Mangaliso (2017)
- iiMini (2020)
- AmaXesha(2023)
Singles
editYise (feat. Synapson)
editIn the song, Mabandla paints a picture of the hardships of growing up without his father and how it has made him a stronger person.
"The song looks at the effect that growing up without a father has had on my life. It is a constant journey of understanding the impact that this has had on my journey and I am thankful to have had a chance to explore it on this track. This song is super strong and very personal." —Bongeziwe Mabandla
Tours
editMangaliso Tour (2018)
edit| Date | Event | City |
|---|---|---|
| 22 September 2018 | Festival Boreal | Canarias, Spain |
| 28 September 2018 | It's Personal: With Bongeziwe Mabandla | Soweto, Johannesburg |
| 17 October 2018 | MaMA Festival and Convention | Paris, France |
| 18 October 2018 | Le Pediluve | Chatenay Malabry, France |
| 20 October 2018 | Le VIP | Saint-Nazaire, France |
| 21 October 2018 | 6 PAR 4 | Laval, France |
| 24 October 2018 | Bongeziwe Mabandla with Nakhane | Paloma, France |
| 26 October 2018 | La Péniche | Chalon Sur Saône, France |
| 27 October 2018 | La Chabada | Angers, France |
iiMini Tour (2020)
editDue to the COVID-19 pandemic, this tour was postponed indefinitely.[11]
References
edit- ^ Moncho-Maripane, Kgomotso (1 March 2018). "Channelling Tsolo's magic through music". Business Day. Retrieved 29 August 2022.
- ^ Khan, Atiyyah (9 January 2017). "Mabandla reaches deep within and the music flows anew". Mail & Guardian. Retrieved 29 August 2022.
- ^ "Jozi Film Festival". Archived from the original on 22 March 2023. Retrieved 26 March 2020.
- ^ Coetzer, Diane (14 November 2019). "Introducing... Bongeziwe Mabandla". Songlines. Retrieved 29 August 2022.
- ^ World Music Central News Department (1 April 2020). "South African Artist Bongeziwe Mabandla to Release iimini | World Music Central.org". Retrieved 21 July 2020.
- ^ "Bongeziwe Mabandla's iimini honoured with South African Music Award". Black Major. Retrieved 20 June 2024.
- ^ "New album amaXesha confirms South Africa's Bongeziwe Mabandla as uniquely gifted artist". Black Major. Retrieved 20 June 2024.
- ^ a b Siyolwe, Mukwae Wabei (19 May 2024). "South African Bongeziwe Mabandla Releases Fourth Studio Album, amaXesha". AfroPop Worldwide. Retrieved 20 June 2024.
- ^ "Bongeziwe Mabandla Wins His First-ever Metro FM Award For 'Best African Pop' And Announces Global Tour". Black Major. Retrieved 20 June 2024.
- ^ Shumba, Ano (2 May 2024). "SA: Bongeziwe Mabandla announces Europe tour dates". Music in Africa. Retrieved 20 June 2024.
- ^ Neophytou, Nadia (6 April 2020). "Interview: Bongeziwe Mabandla's New Album Is a Calm Meditation On Relationships". OkayAfrica. Retrieved 21 July 2020.