Mlindo the Vocalist
Mlindo the Vocalist | |
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Birth name | Lindokuhle Mgedezi |
Born | Port Shepstone, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa | 5 October 1995
Genres |
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Occupation(s) |
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Instruments | Vocals |
Years active | 2010–present |
Labels |
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Associated acts |
Lindokuhle Mgedezi (born 5 October 1995), known professionally as Mlindo the Vocalist, is a South African singer and songwriter. He initially gained notable recognition following his debut single, "Amablesser", taken from his debut album, Emakhaya.[1]
Life and career[]
1995–2017: Early life and beginnings[]
Lindokuhle Magedezi was born in the year 1995 in Port Shepstone, KwaZulu-Natal. At the age of four, he became part of a local church where he discovered his vocal skills. Mlindo attended the Phathwa High School in Gcilima, a borough of Margate.[2]
As he considered starting a musical career, Mlindo later went to Eastern Cape where he joined a hip hop group Flow Riders in 2010. He mainly took part in vocals.[3] In 2014, he established an a cappella group White Bread, after his departure on Flow Riders. White Bread was a success as they won several accolades, including Search for the Stars, held in uShaka Marine World, Durban.[4] In 2017, he won a talent competition Golden Search in Richards Bay, which gave him an opportunity to work with record label Afrotainment, owned by producer DJ Tira.[5] At this year, Mlindo the vocalist was a social media sensation as he uploaded videos covering popular songs. The notable video of him covering a stripped-down version of DJ Maphorisa song "Midnight Starring" went viral.[6] After being discovered by DJ Maphorisa on Twitter, he signed him to his label BlaqBoy Music, then later signed with Universal Music Africa.[7]
2018–present: Emakhaya[]
On 6 February 2018, Mlindo was featured on Sun-El Musician's song "Bamthathile", becoming a successful hit in various South African radio stations, reaching atop on local charts.[8] He then released his debut single "AmaBlesser" which featured and was produced by DJ Maphorisa.[9] The song eventually became a hit and was certified four times platinum by RiSA on 10 May 2019.[10] As he rose to prominence, Mlindo helped his family by concluding disadvantages they faced. He managed to hire a house for his brother, and helped his unemployed mother.[11]
After the success of his single "AmaBlesser", Mlindo revealed his debut album cover and its release date as it was made available for pre-order on iTunes.[12] His debut album Emakhaya was released on 21 September 2018.[13] The album was certified platinum by RiSA and managed to get almost 45 million streams countrywide as of May 2019.[14] The second single "Macala" managed to reach number-one in South Africa, following the success of his lead single. The album earned Mlindo three nominations at the 25th edition of the South African Music Awards; Best Newcomer of the Year, Best Produced Album and Best Afro Pop Album.[15][16]
In 2020, he released two singles titled "Yekela" featuring Masiano & Vusi Nova followed by "Mali" single featuring Nathi.[17]
Discography[]
- Studio albums
- Emakhaya (2018)
Awards and nominations[]
1st KZN Entertainment Awards[]
Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result |
---|---|---|---|
2020 | Himself | Best Male Artist[18] | Nominated |
References[]
- ^ "Mlindo the vocalist on blessers i know what it's like to be the other guy". timeslive.co.za. 21 September 2018. Retrieved 17 February 2020.
- ^ "UGU Jazz Arts Festival kicks into high gear". South CoasHerald.
- ^ "Mlindo the Vocalist: Biography". My TV News.
- ^ "Mlindo the Vocalist". LAWK Communications.
- ^ "Gallery – Mlindo the Vocalist". Snaps4Music.
- ^ "Local artist 'gets a break' on Twitter". News24.
- ^ "MLINDO IN CONTRACT MIX-UP". Daily Sun.
- ^ "Bamthathile (feat. Mlindo The Vocalist) – Single by Sun-El Musician". Apple.
- ^ "DJ Maphorisa finds a new 'star' on Twitter". Channel24.
- ^ "Mlindo The Vocalist's Debut Album, "Emakhaya" Goes Platinum". Zkhipani.
- ^ "Mlindo The Vocalist on blessers: I know what it is like to be the other guy". TimesLIVE.
- ^ "Emakhaya by Mlindo The Vocalist". Apple.
- ^ "Mlindo The Vocalist Finally Drops Debut Album, Emakhaya". Zkhipani.
- ^ "Mlindo the Vocalist collects plaques as debut album goes platinum". City Buzz.
- ^ "SAMA newcomer nominees show a bright future for SA music". SowetanLIVE.
- ^ "SAMAs 2019: All the nominees". Music in Africa.
- ^ Ntsinde, Mandisa. "#NewMusicFridays: Mlindo The Vocalist Teams Up With Nathi On New Single "Mali"". Zkhiphani.
- ^ Bukola (17 December 2020). "See all the winners from the first KZN Entertainment Awards". Fakaza News.
External links[]
- 1995 births
- Living people
- South African singer-songwriters
- South African male singers
- Zulu people
- 21st-century male singers