Lwah Ndlunkulu | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Lwandile Mtshali |
| Born | Hluhluwe, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa |
| Genres | Afro-Pop |
| Occupation(s) |
|
| Instrument(s) | Vocals |
| Years active | 2021–present |
| Labels | Nkabi Records |
Lwandile Mtshali, professionally known as Lwah Ndlunkulu or Lwah The Ndlunkulu is a South African singer and songwriter. Born and raised Hluhluwe, KwaZulu-Natal, having signed a record deal with Nkabi Records released her debut single "Ithuba", which became her first biggest song and certified Platinum by the Recording Industry of South Africa (RiSA). [1]
Career
Lwandile Mtshali was born and raised Hluhluwe, she relocated to Johannesburg, Gauteng [2] to her mother's house while she was studying Grade 11 in 2020. [3] She got a job at Hillbrow Radio Station as a radio presenter prior working at a club situated at Maboneng. [4] While she was working at the club she met music producer Celza and invited her to visit Nkabi Records prior signing a record deal. Lwah signed a record deal and made her debut on Big Zulu's single "Umuzi eSandton" which appeared on Ichwane Lenyoka. The song reached number 1 in South Africa . [5] "Home" featuring Sjava was released 2021.
Lwah apperead on a joint album of Nkabi Records Inkabi Nation alongside Xowla, Siya Ntuli, Big Zulu and Mduduzi released 2022.
Lwah gained global prominence after her breakthrough debut single "Ithuba" featuring Siya Ntuli was released August 2022. The song was certified platinum by the Recording Industry of South Africa (RiSA). [6]
" Ngiyeza" was released on January 20, 2023. It reached number #2, #4, #5, #9 iTune Charts, Shazam, Apple Music and Spotify respectively within the first week of release. It reached Platinum by Recording Industry of South Africa. [7] [8]
Lwah leads the nominees with 4 nominations for Song of the Year, Afro Pop Artist of the Year, Artist of the Year at 2023 Basadi in Music Awards. [9]
Ndlunkulu announced her debut studio album Imizwa, on November 13, 2023. The album was released on November 24.
Upon its release it debuted number one on Spotify's Top Albums Charts, and ammassed two million streams on Spotify, 10 days after its release. [10] [11]
Singles
As lead artist
| Title | Year | Peak chart positions | Certifications | Album | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
ZA | |||||||
| "Home" (featuring Sjava) | 2021 | — | Non-album single | ||||
| "Ithuba" (featuring Siya Ntuli) | 2022 | — | RiSA: Platinum | Imizwa | |||
| " Ngiyeza" | 2023 | 1 | RiSA: Platinum | ||||
| "Eyami" | — | ||||||
| "Ngikhathazekile" (Bongo Beats, Lwah Ndlunkulu, Khethi) | — | Non-album single | |||||
| "—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory. | |||||||
As featured artist
| Title | Year | Peak chart positions | Certifications | Album | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
ZA | |||||||
| "Paris" (Mthandeni Sk featuring Lwah Ndlunkulu) | 2023 | — | RiSA: Platinum [12] [13] | Non-album single | |||
| "—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory. | |||||||
Discography
Studio albums
- Imizwa (2023)
Guest appearances
| Title | Year | Other artist(s) | Album |
|---|---|---|---|
| "Mushonga" | 2023 | Makhadzi | Mbofholowo |
| "Cela Skhulume" | DJ Tira | Malume Way | |
| "Ntombo" | 2024 | Blaq Diamond | Zulu Romance |
Achievements
Basadi in Music Awards
| Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | "Ithuba" featuring Siya Ntuli | Song of the Year | Won | [14] |
| Herself | Afro Pop Artist of the Year | Nominated | ||
| Artist of the Year | Won | |||
| "Ngiyeza" | Music Video of the Year | Nominated | ||
| 2024 | Herself | Artist of the Year | Pending | [15] |
| "Eyami" | Afro Pop Artist of the Year | Pending | ||
| Song of the Year | Pending | |||
| "Ngiyathandaza" | Music Video of the Year | Pending |
Metro FM Awards
| Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Herself | Artist of the Year | Won | |
| Best Female | Nominated | |||
| Imizwa | Best African Pop | Nominated |
South African Hip Hop Awards
| Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | "Umuzi eSandton" | Song of the Year | Nominated | [16] |
| Best Collabo | Nominated |
References
- ^ Ngenyane, Andiswa (September 5, 2022). "Lwah's grateful for the chances she has been given!".
- ^ Moyo, Dumani (March 8, 2024). "Lwa Ndlunkulu: From homelessness to chart-topping success in Johannesburg". The South African. Retrieved March 9, 2024.
- ^ Gaanakgomo, Constance (May 4, 2023). "LISTEN | Lwah Ndlunkulu opens up about family, risking it all for music and Inkabi Records". TshisaLIVE.
- ^ Gaanakgomo, Constance (April 28, 2023). "LISTEN | Lwah Ndlunkulu chats about music & being the first lady of Inkabi Records". TshisaLIVE.
- ^ "Halala: Big Zulu's new single 'Umuzi eSandton' tops 2 local charts in one week". July 16, 2021.
- ^ Ithuba and Ngiyeza reach platinum status slikouronlife.co.za [ dead link]
- ^ "Nkabi Records shines as Lwah Ndlunkulu reaches platinum milestone with 2 songs". August 7, 2023.
- ^ "'I am living my dream it's overwhelming' — Lwah Ndlunkulu goes platinum".
- ^ Maako, Keitumetse (June 30, 2023). "Lwah Ndlunkulu leads nominees list for second Basadi in Music Awards". News24. Retrieved July 20, 2023.
- ^ "Lwah Ndlunkulu's album achieves 2 million streams in 10 days | Network News". South Africa: Network News. Retrieved February 7, 2024.
- ^ Booi, Silindokuhle. "Lwah Ndlunkulu's album achieves 2 million streams in 10 days | Bona Magazine". Bona Magazine. Retrieved February 7, 2024.
- ^ "Certifications 2023". www.risa.org.za.
- ^ Langa, Jabulani (December 10, 2023). "Mthandeni and Lwah's 10 million celebration! | Daily Sun". SNL24. Retrieved December 11, 2023.
- ^ "Lwah's hard work pays off as she grabs top awards".
- ^ Shumba, Ano (June 27, 2024). "Basadi in Music Awards 2024: All the nominees". Music in Africa. Retrieved June 28, 2024.
- ^ "SA Hip Hop Awards 2021: All The Winners". nydjlive.com. Retrieved July 1, 2024.