Sun-El Musician
Sun-El Musician | |
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Born | Sanele Tresure Sithole[1] 28 March 1989 Mooi River, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa |
Education | University of KwaZulu-Natal (dropped out) |
Musical career | |
Occupations |
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Instruments | |
Years active | 2011–present |
Labels |
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Sanele Tresure Sithole (born 28 March 1989),[3] known professionally as Sun-El Musician, is a South African disc jockey, music producer, and songwriter.[3][4] Born and raised in Mooi River, he attended the University of KwaZulu-Natal but dropped out to pursue a career in music. His debut studio album Africa to the World (2018), was certified Platinum by the Recording Industry of South Africa (RiSA).[5]
Sun-El's second album, To the World & Beyond (2020), was met with further commercial success, certified Platinum by Recording Industry of South Africa (RiSA).
He was a producer for Demor Music before the establishment of his own record label, EL World Music.[1] His most recent album African Electronic Dance Music was released in October 2021.
Life and career
[edit]Early life and education
[edit]Sanele Tresure Sithole was born on 28 March 1989 in the town of Mooi River, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, and raised along with his four siblings by a domestic worker mother.[6][7] He attended the University of KwaZulu-Natal but dropped out in 2007.
Career
[edit]Shortly after he left school Sithole spent two years at home and began his musical career in 2007 remixing songs and creating mixtapes.[8] Sithole met Thandukwazi Demor Sikhosana who signed him under his record label Demor Music (Pty) Ltd, worked as music producer for a period of 5 years.[6] During that period he worked in the studio with Bucie from 2011-2014,[9][10] and he produced three albums for Demor.
2015-2019: EL World Music, Africa to the World
[edit]In early 2017 he established EL World Music.[11][12]
Sithole then began to create his own music under the name Sun-El Musician. His debut single "Akanamali" featuring Samthing Soweto was released on May 21, 2017. It became his first biggest song reached no.1 on Shazam and certified Platinum in South Africa.[13][14]
"Bamthathile" featuring Mlindo the Vocalist was released on February 23, 2018, as album's second single.[15]
His debut studio album Africa to the World, was released on April 20, 2018.[16][17] The album reached Platinum in South Africa.
The singles "Sonini", "Bamthathile", and "Ntab'Ezikude" all received 2× Platinum certifications from the Recording Industry of South Africa (RiSA)[18] In June 2018, his single "Akanamali" earned him three awards at the 24th South African Music Awards, including Best Collaboration, Highest Airplay Song and Highest Airplay Composer.[19] Africa to the World was also nominated at the 25th South African Music Awards in June 2019.[20]
Sithole made collaboration with Ami Faku on a single "Into Ingawe", released on June 7, 2019. The song was certified 3× Platinum by RiSA.[21][22][23]
Also in 2019, Sithole embarked on an extensive tour of South Africa.[24]
2020-2021: To the World & Beyond, African Electronic Dance Music
[edit]In April 2020, Sithole released album's lead single "Uhuru" with South African singer Azana.[25][26]
Following month May 2020, his second single "Ubomi Abumanga" featuring Msaki was released.[27] It was certified 2× Platinum by Recording Industry of South Africa.
"Emoyeni", a single by Sun-El Musician, Khuzani, Simmy was released in July 2020, in celebration of Ukhozi FM 60th Anniversary.
His second studio album To the World & Beyond was released in December 4, 2020.[28][23] The album reached Platinum in South Africa.
African Electronic Dance Music was released on 29 October 2021 in South Africa.[29] On African Electronic Dance Music, Sun-El experimented electronic dance music style incorporated with elements of afro house.[30][31] It was supported by four singles; "Higher", "Amateki/Ululate", "Woza". Pan-African Music enlisted African Electronic Dance Music number 1 on The 30 best albums of 2021 year-end lists.[32]
African Electronic Dance Music received three nominations; Album of the Year, Male Artist of the Year, and Best Dance Album at the 28th South African Music Awards.[33]
The previous day, Sithole headlined the Basha Uhuru Creative Uprising Festival alongside Langa Mavuso.[34]
In December 2021, Sithole was chosen by Gallo Records to work on classic songs remix on the Extended Play titled Music is Forever along with Nobuhle, Muzi, and other artists.[35][36]
2022-present: AEDM: Interstellar
[edit]In May 21, he headlined to Bassline I AM LIVE concert.[37]
Towards the end of May 2022, he headlined to MTN Bushfire Festival, held at Malkerns Valley, from May 27–29.[38][39]
Sithole announced his upcoming project AEDM: Interstellar (pronounced African Electronic Dance Music: Interstellar) on December 8, 2022 set to be released on 2023 released double single "Makwande" with Fk Mash, Ami Faku, "Rata" with TNS and Skillz.[40] Both singles were released on December 9, 2022.
In April 2023, Sun-El Musician and Msaki teased a single "Amandla" on a snippet video clip and announced release date on October. The song was released on November 3, 2023.[41] [42]
Discography
[edit]Albums
[edit]Title | Album details | Certifications |
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Africa to the World[43] |
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To the World & Beyond[28] |
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African Electronic Dance Music |
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EPs
[edit]Title | EP details |
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AEDM: Interstellar |
|
Singles
[edit]As lead artist
[edit]Title | Year | Peak chart positions | Certifications | Album | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
"Akanamali" (featuring Samthing Soweto) | 2017 | 1 | RiSA: Platinum | Africa to the World | |||
"Ntab'Ezikude" (featuring Simmy) | 2018 | RiSA: 2× platinum[18] | |||||
"Bamthathile" (featuring Mlindo the Vocalist) | RiSA: 2× Platinum | ||||||
"Sonini" (featuring Simmy and Lelo Kamau) | RiSA:2× Platinum [18] | ||||||
"Bomi Abumanga" (featuring Msaki) | 2020 | RiSA: 2× Platinum | To the World & Beyond | ||||
"Garden" (featuring Julia Church) | — | ||||||
"Uhuru" (featuring Azana) | |||||||
"Never Never" (featuring Nobuhle) | RiSA: Gold[47] | ||||||
"Into Ingawe" (featuring Ami Faku) | RiSA: 3× platinum[22] | Non-album single | |||||
"Higher" (featuring Simmy) | 2021 | 6 | African Electronic Dance Music | ||||
"Amateki" (featuring Bholoja) | |||||||
"Woza" (featuring Linos Rosetta) | |||||||
"Respond" (Miči, Sun-EL Musician) | 2022 | — | Non-album single | ||||
"Amandla" (Sun-El Musician, Msaki) | 2023 | — | Non-album single | ||||
"Hamba Nami" (Sun-El Musician, Fearless Musiq, Section Five)[48] | 2024 | — | Non-album single | ||||
"Inhliziyo" (Sun-EL Musician, Mthandazo Gatya, Anzo featuring Kenza) | — | Non-album single | |||||
"feelings" (Miči, Frigid Armadillo, Sun-El Musician) | — | Non-album single | |||||
"Dangerous" (Sun-EL Musician, Jnr SA) | — | Non-album single | |||||
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory. |
Production and songwriting credits
[edit]Title | Year | Artist(s) | Album | Credit(s) | Written with: | Produced with: |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
"Ngiyesaba" | 2018 | Simmy | Tugela Fairy | Producer | Simmy | |
"Wawundithembisile" | 2021 | The One Who Sings | Non-album single | Zolani Mahola | Kenza (SA) | |
"Light House" | TRESOR | Motion | Co-producer | TRESOR Da Capo | ||
"Ezangakini" | 2022 | Professor featuring Shwi, and Sun-El Musician[49] | Non-album single | Producer | Mkhonzeni Langa, Mandla Xaba, Zwelenduna Magubane, and Khethonjani Dludla | Mpho.Wav and Tebogo Mbolekwa |
"Indlela" | 2023 | Drega, Sun-El Musician and Maline Aura | Non-album single | Producer | Bonga Ntozini, Sanele Sithole and Thandolwethu Nkomo | Drega |
Guest appearances
[edit]Title | Year | Other artist(s) | Album |
---|---|---|---|
"Ndivulele" | 2019 | Ami Faku | Imali |
"Hosana" | 2020 | Black Motion | The Healers: The Last Chapter |
"Yasha Imizi" | Claudio x Kenza | Circle of Life | |
"Shine" | S-Tone | Mbabane | |
"Control" | 2021 | Karyendasoul | Imizamo |
"Jungle" | Kenza | Fly Away | |
"You need Me" | Black Coffee | Subconsciously | |
"Ngaphesheya" | Mobi Dixon, Nombila, Massive Ricco | When House Was House | |
"Idwala" | 2022 | Mafikizolo | Idwala |
"Africa Hey" | Ndlovu Youth Choir | Greatful | |
"Esikhathini" | Murumba Pitch | Horumar | |
"Umthwalo" | Vitoto | Afro Nation | |
"Am Going" | DJ Bongz, Zaba, Sykes | Road Trip |
Other charted and certified songs
[edit]Title | Year | Peak chart positions | Certifications | Album | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
ZA | |||||||
"Best Friend" (Sun-EL Musician, Msaki) | 2021 | 75[50] | Gold | African Electronic Dance Music | |||
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory. |
Tours
[edit]- EL World Music Experience (2019)[24]
Awards and nominations
[edit]Year | Award Ceremony | Prize | Result | Ref. |
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2018 | 24th South African Music Awards | Collaboration | Won | [19][51] |
Highest Airplay Song | Won | [52][53] | ||
Highest Airplay Composer | Won | [54] | ||
2019 | 25th South African Music Awards | Record of the Year (Sun-El Musician featuring Simmy and Lelo Kamau – Sonini) | Won | [55][56] |
Newcomer of the Year | Nominated | |||
Best Dance Album | Nominated | |||
2020 | KZN Entertainment Awards | Best Club DJ Male | Nominated | [58] |
Best Producer | Nominated | |||
2021 | SAMAs 27 | Best Dance Album | Nominated | [59][60] |
Male Artist of the Year | Nominated | |||
Best Produced Album of the Year | Nominated | |||
Remix of the Year | Nominated | |||
Best Live Audio of the Year | Won | |||
M K H M A | Best DJ | Nominated | ||
2021 | All Africa Music Awards | Best Male Artist in Southern Africa | Nominated | [61] |
2022 | SAMA 28 | Album of the Year | Nominated | [62] |
Best Dance Album | Nominated | |||
Male Artist of the Year | Nominated | |||
Remix of the Year | Won | [63] |
References
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- ^ a b "Sun-El Musician: "I don't come from an analogue background, it has always been about computers from the word go"". MusicRadar. 18 February 2022. Retrieved 11 May 2022.
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- ^ Musician, Sun El. "Sun El Musician mixes for GeeGo". www.geego.co.za. Archived from the original on 1 November 2020. Retrieved 20 November 2020.
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- ^ "10 Things You Do Not Know About Sun-EL Musician". SA Music Magazine. 30 January 2018. Retrieved 20 November 2020.
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- ^ "The Sun's El". Deep HouseLove Affair. Archived from the original on 8 October 2021. Retrieved 8 October 2021.
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- ^ "'Akanamali' by Sun-El Musician is the No. 1 most Shazamed song in SA". www.yomzansi.com. 1 September 2017.
- ^ "Interview: Sun-El Musician Is Going 'To the World & Beyond'". okayafricasite. 4 December 2020.
- ^ Mkhabela, Sabelo. "Akanamali' Hitmaker Sun-El Musician Releases Another Potential Hit". OkayAfrica. Retrieved 10 July 2023.
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- ^ "Sun El Musician releases debut album Africa To The World – ZAlebs". Zalebs. 22 June 2020. Archived from the original on 23 September 2022. Retrieved 3 June 2021.
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- ^ "Sun EL-Musician x Ami Faku's Into Ingawe goes Double Platinum". SA Music Magazine. 19 May 2020.
- ^ a b "Sun-EL Musicain [sic] x Ami Faku – Into Ingawe, Goes Double Platinum". Zkhiphani. 21 May 2020.
- ^ a b "Ami Faku & Sun El Musician's Hit Into Ingawe Now Double Platinum »". Ubetoo. 20 May 2020.
- ^ a b "Sun-El Musician launches El World Music Experience Tour". JustNje. 24 May 2019. Archived from the original on 5 June 2021. Retrieved 5 June 2021.
- ^ Jabulani, John (6 April 2021). "Sun-EL Musician's Upcoming Song "UHURU" Gets A Release Date". Ubetoo.
- ^ Israel A, John (14 July 2020). "Sun-El Musician Previews Upcoming Album "Uhuru", With Single Featuring Azana". Ubetoo.
- ^ "Sun-EL Musician Announced New Msaki Featured Song "Ubomi Abumanga" And Release Date". Ubetoo. 20 May 2020.
- ^ a b "To the World and Beyond Album". iminathi. 3 December 2020. Retrieved 20 November 2020.
- ^ Shumba, Ano (29 October 2021). "Sun-El Musician drops African Electronic Dance Music album". Music In Africa. Retrieved 29 October 2021.
- ^ "EP Review: Sun-El Musician – AEDM (African Electronic Dance Music)". Magnetic Magazine. 2 November 2021. Retrieved 19 February 2024.
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- ^ "The 30 best electronic albums of 2021". Pan-African. 22 December 2021. Retrieved 19 February 2024.
- ^ de Wee, Naledi (7 June 2022). "#SAMA28: Take a look at the full list of nominees". The South African. Retrieved 19 February 2024.
- ^ "Langa Mavuso and Sun El Musician to headline the 2021 Basha Uhuru Creative Uprising Festival". YoMzansi. 13 October 2021. Retrieved 13 October 2021.
- ^ Darangwa, Shingai (20 December 2021). "Sun El Musician, Muzi and Nobuhle added to 'Music Is Forever'". Independent Online. Retrieved 22 December 2021.
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- ^ "Diverse Range of Artists Announced for MTN Bushfire Festival". SA Music Magazine. Archived from the original on 16 June 2022. Retrieved 11 May 2022.
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- ^ "Musical best-friends Sun-El Musician and Msaki return with long anticipated single 'Amandla'". Gagasi World. 3 November 2023. Retrieved 4 November 2023.
- ^ "S-Tone: Meet the muso Sun El Musician thinks could be the next big thing". TimesLIVE. Retrieved 20 November 2020.
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- ^ "South Africa certifications". Recording Industry of South Africa. Retrieved 5 July 2023.
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- ^ "2019 Collaboration of the year Nominee : Sun-El Musician – Sonini". Archived from the original on 15 August 2022. Retrieved 15 February 2021.
- ^ "All the 2019 SAMA nominees". www.bizcommunity.com. 25 April 2019.
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