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Zakes Bantwini

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Zakes Bantwini
Born
Zakhele Madida

(1981-05-26) 26 May 1981 (age 43)
KwaMashu, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
NationalitySouth African
Occupations
  • Singer
  • songwriter
  • businessman
  • record producer
Years active2004–present
Spouse
​
(m. 2016)​
Children2
Parents
  • Jeffrey Khanyile (father)
  • Nomthandazo Madida (mother)
Musical career
Genres
Instruments
  • Vocals, Piano, Bass Guitar
Labels

Zakhele Madida (born 26 May 1981 in KwaMashu F-section, KwaZulu-Natal), known professionally as Zakes Bantwini, is a South African singer, record producer and businessman.[1][2]

Early life

[edit]

Zakhele Madida was born and raised in KwaMashu F-section in the province of KwaZulu-Natal.[3] He went to Shayamoya Junior Primary School and later attended Nqabakazulu High School.[4] At the age of 14 years, he had his first child.[5] Despite facing the challenges of being a teenage father, he still went on to finishing his matric. After matriculating, he went on to study at Natal Technikon (now known as Durban University of Technology) where he received a national certificate in Light Music. This is also where he formed his own record label - called Mayonie Productions - while completing his final year.[6] Madida received a diploma in Jazz and Music Performance after completing his studies at the University of KwaZulu-Natal in Durban.[7] He also studied a Social Entrepreneurship Programme at Gordon Institute of Business Science, University of Pretoria.[8]

Career

[edit]

2011–2016: The Fake Book and Real Book: My Music Bible

[edit]

In April 2011, his single "Clap Your Hands" was released, featuring Xolani Sithole.

In 2013, Madida released his studio album The Fake Book and Real Book: My Music Bible. The following year, the album was nominated in the Best Dance Album Category at the 20th SAMA Awards.[9] On 23 June 2017, he released the album Love, Light & Music 2.[10]

In 2020, Bantwini remixed Lauv's single "Modern Loneliness".[11]

2021–present: Ghetto King and The Star Is Reborn

[edit]

At a Kunye Event, his single "Osama" with Kasango was teased. The song was scheduled to be released on 17 September 2021.[12] On September 2, 2021, it was reported that the release date of "Osama" would be rescheduled to 10 September 2021.[13] The song peaked at number one on Radio Monitor Charts and spent 10 weeks on it.[14] In late 2021, he headlined to Miss South Africa 2021.[15]

In early December 2021, Zakes' third studio album Ghetto King was released worldwide.[16] The album was met with positive reviews from music critics.[17] It features Khetha, BlaQRhythm, DeeTheGeneral, Drega, Karyendasoul, Mthunzi, Nana Atta, Nomkhosi, Skillz, and Skye Wanda.

In early February 2022, Apple Music featured Zakes as their 'Isigubhu' cover star.[18]

The Star Is Reborn, Zakes fourth studio album, was released in December 2023. On The Star is Reborn, Bantwini worked with Karyendasoul, Drega, Masuda resulting in a genre-spanning record that incorporated electronic dance music styles and afro tech.

It was supported by the lead single "Mama Thula" featuring Skye Wanda, Thakzin, Drega, and Suffocate SA.

Business ventures

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In 2004, he established Mayonie Productions, which is known for music such as "Bum Bum", "Wasting My Time" and "Clap Your Hands".[19][20]

Madida released his debut album The Good Life in 2008.[21] Two years later, he released the album Love, Light and Music, which included songs like "Clap Your Hands" and "Wasting My Time".[22]

L'vovo Derrango

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In 2005, Madida helped launch the career of Kwaito artist Thokozani Ndlovu, who was later known by his stage name L'vovo Derrango. Under Mayonie Productions, Derrango released his debut album which was self-titled (Lvovo Derrango). The album gained him recognition as he was nominated at the SAMA Awards for the Best Kwaito Album. In 2007, he won the Best Kwaito and Song of the Year award at the MetroFM awards.[23][24]

Personal life

[edit]

Madida has three children from previous relationships and two with his wife Nandi Madida (formerly Nandi Mngoma).[25][26][27]

Discography

[edit]

Albums

[edit]
Title Album details
The Good Life
Love, Light and Music
  • Released: 2010
  • Label: Mayonie Productions X, Soulistic Music
  • Formats: Digital download
Mountain Deluxe Volume 4
  • Released: 2010
  • Label: Mayonie Productions
  • Formats: Digital download
The Fake Book and Real Book: My Music Bible
  • Released: 2013
  • Label: Mayonie Productions
  • Formats: Digital download
Love, Light and Music 2
  • Released: 2017
  • Label: Mayonie Productions
  • Formats: Digital download
Bossa Paris Nights
  • Released: 2018
  • Label: Mayonie Productions
  • Formats: Digital download
Ghetto King
  • Released: 3 December 2021
  • Label: Mayonie Productions, Paradise Sound System
  • Formats: Digital download, streaming
The Star Is Reborn
  • Released: 8 December 2023
  • Label: Mayonie Productions, Universal
  • Formats: Digital download, streaming

Singles

[edit]
List of singles, with selected chart positions and certifications, showing year released and album name
Title Year Peak chart positions Certifications Album
ZA
"Osama"
(with Kasango) 		2021 1 Ghetto King
"Asanda"
(with Kususa and Argento Dust) 		2022 —
  • RISA: Platinum
 Ubomi
"Jeteme"
(with Kekelingo and Mpho.Wav) 		2023 — Pula
"Mama Thula"
(with Skye Wanda, Thakzin and Suffocate SA) 		— The Star Is Reborn
"Love Generation (Reimagined)" (Bob Sinclar, & Friends, Zakes Bantwini, Gary Pine) 2024 — Non-album single
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.

Other charted songs

[edit]
List of other charted songs, with selected chart positions, showing year released and album name
Title Year Peak chart positions Album
ZA
"Girl in the Mirror" (featuring Skye Wanda) 2021 61[28] Ghetto King

Awards and nominations

[edit]
Year Award Ceremony Prize Recipient/Nominated work Result Ref.
2010 16th South African Music Awards Best Music Video of the Year Juju (featuring Black Coffee) Nominated
2011 17th South African Music Awards Record of the Year Bum Bum Nominated
Album of the Year Love, Light and Music Nominated
Male Artist of the Year Nominated
Metro FM Awards Best Male Award Won
Chanel O Awards Video of the Year "Wasting My Time" Won [29]
2022 DStv Mzansi Viewers' Choice Awards Favourite music artist/group Himself Nominated [30]
Favourite Song "Osama" Nominated
2022 SAMA Best Dance Album Ghetto King Nominated [31][32]
Album of the Year Nominated
Best Engineered Album of the Year Nominated
Male Artist of the Year Nominated
Best Collaboration "Osama" Won
"Imali" (Karyendasoul & Zakes Bantwini featuring Nana Atta) Nominated
SAMRO Highest Airplay Composers "Osama" Won
2022 Mzansi Kwaito House Music Awards Best House Artist Pending [33]
Best House Single Pending
Most Voted Song "Osama" Pending
Best Music Video Pending
2022 All Africa Music Awards Best Artist, Duo or Group in African Electro Himself Nominated [34]
Best African DJ Nominated
Artist of the Year Nominated
2022 Grammy Awards Best Global Performance "Bayethe" (Nomcebo Zikode, Wouter Kellerman, and Zakes Bantwini) Won [35]
2023 Metro FM Awards Best House Song "Asanda" (Kususa, Argento Dust & Zakes Bantwini) Nominated
SAMA International Achievement Himself Won
2024 GQ Best Dressed Awards Best Dressed Couple Himself Won [36]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Zakes bantwini turns 35 years". citizen.co.za. Retrieved 2 March 2020.
  2. ^ "A trip through zakes bantwinis world". iol.co.za. 30 October 2013. Retrieved 2 March 2020.
  3. ^ "Zakes Bantwini". briefly.co.za. Retrieved 2 March 2020.
  4. ^ "KwaMashu School gets brand new laptops". 24 October 2018. Retrieved 2 March 2020.
  5. ^ "Zakes Bantwini reveals he had his first child at 14". channel24.co.za. 27 May 2019. Retrieved 2 March 2020.
  6. ^ "Zakes Bantwini". afternoonexpress.co.za. Retrieved 2 March 2020.
  7. ^ "Musician Zakea bantwini graduates with diploma — UKZN". Retrieved 2 March 2020.
  8. ^ "Sunday World: Zakes Bantwini". 26 April 2015. Retrieved 2 March 2020 – via PressReader.
  9. ^ "Zakes bantwini heads up Sony Music". w24.co.za. 28 July 2017. Retrieved 2 March 2020.
  10. ^ "Bantwinis love light and Music 2". iol.co.za. Retrieved 2 March 2020.
  11. ^ Shumba, Ano (19 May 2020). "SA: Zakes Bantwini remixes Lauv's Modern Loneliness | Music In Africa". Music In Africa. Retrieved 19 May 2020.
  12. ^ Coetzee, Nikita (26 August 2021). "Osama - the unreleased Zakes Bantwini song that has SA going wild | Channel". News24.
  13. ^ Grootboom, Jamal (2 September 2021). "Zakes Bantwini moves 'Osama' release date". Independent Online.
  14. ^ Coetzee, Nikita. "Zakes Bantwini's Osama holds top spot on RadioMonitor airplay chart for a record-setting 10 weeks | Channel". South Africa: Channel. Retrieved 10 November 2021.
  15. ^ "Zakes Bantwini among artists set to perform at 2021 Miss SA pageant". East Coast Radio. Retrieved 12 October 2021.
  16. ^ "New Music Friday: Zakes Bantwini releases much anticipated third studio album, Ghetto King". GQ. 3 December 2021. Retrieved 3 December 2021.
  17. ^ Middleton, Ryan (3 December 2021). "Album Review: Zakes Bantwini - Ghetto King | Magnetic Magazine". Magnetic Magazine. Retrieved 4 December 2021.
  18. ^ Birjalal, Alyssia (4 February 2022). "Zakes Bantwini is Apple Music's 'Isgubhu' cover star". Independent Online. Retrieved 9 March 2022.
  19. ^ "Zakes Bantwini — Mayonie Productions". channelo.dstv.com. Retrieved 2 March 2020.
  20. ^ "Clap your hands — Zakes Bantwini". music.apple.com. 2 March 2020.
  21. ^ "Zakes bantwinis new album is the best yet". citizen.co.za. Retrieved 2 March 2020.
  22. ^ "Zakes bantwini celebrates love, light and music in new album". iol.co.za. Retrieved 2 March 2020.
  23. ^ Mbambo, Simo. "Lvovo thanks Zakes Bantwini for the role he played in his career". briefly.co.za. Retrieved 2 March 2020.
  24. ^ "Lvovo wins Metro FM award a month before the ceremony". thevoiceofsa. 28 January 2015. Retrieved 2 March 2020.
  25. ^ "Zakes bantwini had his first child at 14". dailysun.co.za. Retrieved 2 March 2020.
  26. ^ "Surprise! Nandi Madida & Zakes Bantwini confirm they're having another child". timeslive.co.za. 21 January 2019. Archived from the original on 21 January 2019. Retrieved 2 March 2020.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  27. ^ "Nandi Mngoma and Zakes Bantwini get Married". ecr.co.za. Retrieved 2 March 2020.
  28. ^ "The hottest local and international digital music streaming chart in South Africa". The Official South African Charts. 21 October 2021. Retrieved 28 July 2024.
  29. ^ "Channel O awards: All the winners". Mail & Guardian. 14 November 2011. Retrieved 25 July 2024.
  30. ^ de Wee, Naledi (13 April 2022). "DStv Mzansi Viewers Choice Awards: Take a look at all the nominees". The South African. Retrieved 14 April 2022.
  31. ^ Bambelela, Patience (7 June 2022). "Zakes Bantwini leads the pack with Sama nominations". SowetanLIVE. Retrieved 7 June 2022.
  32. ^ de Wee, Naledi (28 August 2022). "WINNERS LIST: Zakes Bantwini's 'Osama' wins big at #SAMA28". The South African. Retrieved 30 August 2022.
  33. ^ Bambalele, Patience (16 June 2022). "Trailblazing Zakes Bantwini collects more nominations". SowetanLIVE. Retrieved 14 July 2022.
  34. ^ Hansen, Gabriel Myers (16 September 2022). "All Africa Music Awards 2022: All the nominees". Music in Africa. Retrieved 16 May 2022.
  35. ^ "Zakes Bantwini, Wouter Kellerman and Nomcebo Zikode Bag Their First Grammy Award for 'Bayethe'".
  36. ^ Manuel, Shannon (31 August 2024). "Introducing the 2024 Best Dressed Winners". GQ Magazine. Retrieved 1 September 2024.
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