Sun-El Musician
Sun-El Musician | |
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Birth name | Sanele Sithole[1] |
Born | Mooi River, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa | 28 March 1989
Occupation(s) |
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Years active | 2011–present |
Labels |
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Associated acts |
Sanele Sithole (born 28 March 1989),[2] known professionally as Sun-El Musician, is a South African disc jockey, music producer, and songwriter.[2][3] Born and raised in Mooi River. He attended University of KwaZulu-Natal but dropped out to purse a career in music. His debut studio album Africa to the World (2018), which was certified gold by the Recording Industry of South Africa (RiSA).[4]
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[]
Early life and education[]
Sanele 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.[5][6] He attended the University of KwaZulu-Natal but dropped out in 2007.
Career[]
Shortly after he left school Sithole spent two years at home and began his musical career in 2007 remixing songs and create mixtapes.[7] Sithole meet Demor Skhosana who signed him under his record label Demor Music, worked as music producer for 5 years.[5] He worked in the studio with Bucie in 2011 and 2014,[8][9] and during this period he produced three albums for Demor.
Sithole then began to create his own music under the name Sun-El Musician. His debut single "Akanamali" reached no.1 on Shazam in 2016.[10][11] In early 2017 he established EL World Music.[12][13] His debut album Africa to the World was released on April 20, 2018.[14][15] The singles "Sonini", "Bamthathile", and "Ntab'Ezikude" all received platinum certifications from the Recording Industry of South Africa (RISA)[16] 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.[17] Africa to the World was also nominated at the 25th South African Music Awards in June 2019, and was certified gold by RISA the following year.[18]
Also in 2019, Sithole embarked on an extensive tour of South Africa.[19] The single "Into Ingawe", featuring Ami Faku, was certified platinum by RISA.[20][21][22] His second studio album To the World & Beyond was released in December 4, 2020.[23][22] The single "Ubomi Abumanga" featured Msaki.[24]
In April 2021, Sithole released album's lead single "Uhuru" with South African singer Azana.[25][26] A live recording titled Kunye Live Mix was released in August 2021.[27] His third studio album African Electronic Dance Music was released on 29 October 2021 in South Africa.[28] The previous day, Sithole headlined the Basha Uhuru Creative Uprising Festival alongside with Langa Mavuso.[29]
In December 2021, Sithole was chosen by Gallo Records to work on classic songs remix on the Extended Play titled Music is Forever alongside with Nobuhle, Muzi, and other artists.[30][31]
Discography[]
Singles[]
As lead artist[]
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: 2x platinum[16] | ||
"Bamthathile" (featuring Mlindo the Vocalist) | RiSA: 2x Platinum | |||
"Sonini" (featuring Simmy and Lelo Kamau) | RiSA:2x Platinum [16] | |||
"Bomi Abumanga" (featuring Msaki) | 2020 | RiSA: 2x Platinum | To the World & Beyond | |
"Uhuru" (featuring Azana) | ||||
"Into Ingawe" (featuring Ami Faku) | RiSA: 3x platinum[21] | Non-album single | ||
"Higher" (featuring Simmy) | 2021 | 6 | African Electronic Dance Music | |
"Amateki" (featuring Bholoja) | ||||
"Woza" (featuring Linos Rosetta) |
Albums[]
Title | Album details | Certifications |
---|---|---|
Africa to the World[32] |
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To the World & Beyond[35] |
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African Electronic Dance Music |
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Production and songwriting credits[]
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 |
Tours[]
- EL World Music Experience (2019)[19]
Awards and nominations[]
Year | Award Ceremony | Prize | Result | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|
2018 | 24th South African Music Awards | Collaboration | Won | [17][37] |
Highest Airplay Song | Won | [38][39] | ||
Highest Airplay Composer | Won | [40] | ||
2019 | 25th South African Music Awards | Record of the Year (Sun-El Musician featuring Simmy and Lelo Kamau – Sonini) | Won | [41][42] |
Newcomer of the Year | Nominated | |||
Best Dance Album | Nominated | |||
2020 | KZN Entertainment Awards | Best Club DJ Male | Nominated | [44] |
2021 | SAMAs 27 | Best Dance Album | Nominated | [45][46] |
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 | [47] |
References[]
- ^ a b "Sun EL Musician | Music In Africa". Music In Africa.
- ^ a b Makena, K. (12 May 2020). "Sun El Musician bio: age, real name, girlfriend, family, songs, album, awards". Briefly. Retrieved 20 November 2020.
- ^ Musician, Sun El. "Sun El Musician mixes for GeeGo". www.geego.co.za. Retrieved 20 November 2020.
- ^ Lefevre, Zachary (15 March 2021). "Sun-EL Musician is Bringing Africa to the World - EDM Identity". EDM Identity. Retrieved 9 December 2021.
- ^ a b Dayile, Qhama. "Singer Sun-El Musician going from broke to hugely successful". Drum. Retrieved 20 November 2020.
- ^ "10 Things You Do Not Know About Sun-EL Musician". SA Music Magazine. 30 January 2018. Retrieved 20 November 2020.
- ^ De Paul, David (22 February 2022). "Revealed: How Sun-EL Musician sacrificed an Engineering career to become a musician". Savannanews.com. Retrieved 3 March 2022.
- ^ "THE SUN'S EL". Deep HouseLove Affair.
- ^ "Interview: Sun-El Musician On Owning A Record Label, Preparing For The World & Mentoring New Artists | Slikouronlife". Slikouronlife. 19 November 2021. Retrieved 10 January 2022.
- ^ "'Akanamali' by Sun-El Musician is the No.1 most Shazamed song in SA | YOMZANSI". www.yomzansi.com. 1 September 2017.
- ^ "Interview: Sun-El Musician Is Going 'To the World & Beyond'". okayafricasite. 4 December 2020.
- ^ "Africa to the World by Sun-El Musician on TIDAL". Tidal.
- ^ ""ALBUM OF THE WEEK: Sun-El Musician delivers a majestic & groovy debut 'Africa to the World' [REVIEW] | YoMzansi". YoMzansi. 23 April 2018. Retrieved 23 April 2018.
- ^ "Sun-El Musician's 'Africa To The World' Album Knocks Hard". okayafricasite. 4 May 2018.
- ^ "Sun El Musician releases debut album Africa To The World – ZAlebs". Zalebs. 22 June 2020.
- ^ a b c "PressReader.com – Your favorite newspapers and magazines". www.pressreader.com.
- ^ a b "Sun-El Musician, Joyous Celebration big winners at first night of Samas". SowetanLIVE.
- ^ "Africa to the World – Sun-El Musician | Top Charts". Top Charts.
- ^ a b "Sun-El Musician launches El World Music Experience Tour | JustNje". JustNje. 24 May 2019.
- ^ "Sun EL-Musician x Ami Faku's Into Ingawe goes Double Platinum". SA Music Magazine. 19 May 2020.
- ^ a b "Sun-EL Musicain 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.
- ^ "To the World and Beyond Album". iminathi. 3 December 2020. Retrieved 20 November 2020.
- ^ "Sun-EL Musician Announced New Msaki Featured Song "Ubomi Abumanga" And Release Date »". Ubetoo. 20 May 2020.
- ^ 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.
- ^ Jabulani, John (14 August 2021). ""Sun-EL Musician – Kunye Live Mix (12 August 2021) Ubetoo"". Ubetoo.
- ^ Shumba, Ano (29 October 2021). "Sun-El Musician drops African Electronic Dance Music album | Music In Africa". Music In Africa. Retrieved 29 October 2021.
- ^ "Langa Mavuso and Sun El Musician to headline the 2021 Basha Uhuru Creative Uprising Festival | YoMzansi". 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.
- ^ Siyabonga, Thato (17 December 2021). "Music Is Forever - Iconic Songs Remixed By Sun El Musician, Muzi, And More, For A New Generation". Ubetoo. Retrieved 22 December 2021.
- ^ "S-Tone: Meet the muso Sun El Musician thinks could be the next big thing". TimesLIVE. Retrieved 20 November 2020.
- ^ "Africa to the World by Sun-El Musician on Apple Music". Apple Music. 20 April 2018. Retrieved 30 October 2021.
- ^ "Certificate Reporting". Recording Industry of South Africa. Retrieved 30 October 2021.
- ^ "To the World and Beyond Album". iminathi. 3 December 2020. Retrieved 20 November 2020.
- ^ "African Electronic Dance Music by Sun-El Musician on Apple Music". Apple Music. 29 October 2021. Retrieved 30 October 2021.
- ^ "2018 Collaboration of the year Nominee : Sun-EL Musician ft Samthing Soweto – Akanamali".
- ^ "All the winners from SAMA Awards 2018". www.gq.co.za.
- ^ "Samas 2018: All the winners". Channel.
- ^ News, Fakaza (2 June 2018). "South African Music Awards 2018 – Full List of Winners #SAMA24 | Fakaza News".
- ^ "2019 Collaboration of the year Nominee : Sun-El Musician – Sonini".
- ^ "All the 2019 SAMA nominees". www.bizcommunity.com.
- ^ Mathebula, Kwanele. "2019 SAMA Record of the Year nominees | Bona Magazine".
- ^ "Talent overload: All the winners from the first KZN Entertainment Awards". The South African. 16 December 2020.
- ^ "Samas 27 nominations are out and its male dominated | The Citizen". The Citizen. 19 May 2021.
- ^ Poelano Malema (20 May 2021). "Full list of SAMA nominees". East Coast Radio.
- ^ Hansen, Gabriel Myers (23 September 2021). "All Africa Music Awards 2021: All the nominees | Music In Africa". Music In Africa. Retrieved 21 November 2021.
External links[]
- 1989 births
- Living people
- South African DJs
- South African artists
- University of KwaZulu-Natal alumni
- Electronic dance music DJs