{{Short description|South African singer-songwriter and producer}} {{Infobox musical artist | name = Mthunzi | birth_name = Njabulo Mthunzi Ndimande | birth_place = [[Hammarsdale]], KwaZulu-Natal | birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1992|12|06|df=y}} | origin = | image = | caption = | genre = {{hlist|Afro-Pop| Amapiano}} | years_active = | occupation = {{hlist|Singer|songwriter|producer}} | instrument = Vocals, keyboard | label = [[Universal Music]] }}
'''Njabulo Mthunzi Ndimande''' (born December 6, 1992) [[mononymously]] known as '''Mthunzi''', is a South African singer-songwriter and producer.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Profile {{!}} African Music Library |url=https://africanmusiclibrary.org/person/0988adec-c4c3-4ddf-ade2-d398df53dbc5 |access-date=2025-05-23 |website=africanmusiclibrary.org}}</ref> He made his first debut album song ''Selimathunzi'' in 2020.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Mgosi.co.za |date=2020-01-27 |title=Mthunzi releases his debut album Selimathunzi! |url=https://mgosi.co.za/mthunzi-releases-his-debut-album-selimathunzi/ |access-date=2025-05-23 |website=Mgosi |language=en-ZA}}</ref>
== Early life == Mthunzi was born and raised in [[Hammarsdale|Hammersdale]], KwaZulu-Natal. His father was a singer and guitarist. He developed musical interest at an early age and began recording in 2008 posting his work on SoundCloud.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kinuthia |first=Peter |date=2020-06-09 |title=All you need to know about Mthunzi – Briefly.co.za |url=https://briefly.co.za/66229-all-mthunzi.html |access-date=2025-05-23 |website=briefly.co.za |language=en}}</ref> In February 2019, he relocated to Johannesburg, after he was invited by [[Sun-El Musician]] to work on music.<ref>{{cite web|access-date =2024-06-30|url=https://www.snl24.com/drum/celebs/news/profile-mthunzi-mulling-next-move-after-imithandazos-four-gongs-20240502|title=PROFILE {{!}} Mthunzi mulling next move after Imithandazo's four gongs|work=Drum|date=2 May 2024|first=Keamogetswe|last=Matlala}}</ref>
== Career == His debut studio album ''Selimathunzi'' was released on 24 January 2020.<ref name="raptypemag">{{cite web|url=https://raptypemag.com/mthunzi-releases-his-debut-album-titled-selimathunzi/|work=raptype magazine |title=Mthunzi Releases His Debut Album titled ''Selimathunzi''|date=2020-01-24|access-date=2024-06-30}}</ref> Produced by [[Sun-El Musician]], Claudio × Kenza and Mthunzi himself resulted to a [[African popular music|afro-pop]] record with elements of [[maskandi]], house, and [[Contemporary R&B|R&B]].<ref name="raptypemag" /><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.dstv.com/channelo/en-za/news/mthunzi-releases-his-debut-album|work=DStv|date=2020-01-30|access-date=2024-06-30|title=Mthunzi Releases His Debut Album }}</ref> It was supported by three singles; "Vuka", "Ngibambe La", "Selimathunzi". It earned him his first nomination for Best Afro Pop Album at the 26th ceremony of [[South African Music Awards]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Here's Your First Look at the SAMAs Full List of Nominees for This Year's SAMA26 #ForThaKultcha|date=2020-07-16|first=Tecla|last=Ciolfi|url=https://texxandthecity.com/2020/07/heres-your-first-look-at-the-samas-full-list-of-nominees-for-this-years-sama26-forthakultcha/|work=Texx and the City |access-date=2024-06-30}}</ref> "Baningi" featuring [[Mlindo the Vocalist]] was released on 3 December 2021. The song entered Top 50 at number 41 on Local Music Radio Charts.<ref>{{cite web|title=The hottest local music radio chart in South Africa|url=https://theofficialsacharts.co.za/the-hottest-local-music-radio-chart-in-south-africa-week-02/|work=The Official South African Charts|date=14 January 2022 |access-date=2024-07-28}}</ref>
His collaborative album with Kabza de Small, ''[[Isimo]]'', was released on 27 October 2023.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://slikouronlife.co.za/blog/25700/kabza-de-small-mthunzis-joint-ep-isimo-features-young-stunna-mawhoo-sizwe-alakine-dj-maphorisa-more |date=2023-10-27|access-date=2024-07-01|first=Atlehang|last=Moloi|title=Kabza De Small & Mthunzi's Joint EP 'Isimo' Features Young Stunna, MaWhoo, Sizwe Alakine, DJ Maphorisa + More|work=Slikouronlife On Life}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.snl24.com/drum/celebs/news/mthunzi-brings-his-maskandi-influence-into-his-new-song-with-kabza-de-small-20231101|title=Mthunzi brings his maskandi influence into his new song with Kabza De Small|date=1 November 2023|first=Phumlani S|last=Langa|access-date=2024-07-01|work=Daily SUN}}</ref> At the [[18th Metro FM Music Awards|18th ceremony]] of [[Metro FM Music Awards]] received the most nominations and won Song of the Year, Best Produced Album, Best Amapiano.<ref>{{cite news|location=South Africa|publisher=Eye Witness News|language=en-ZA|access-date=2024-07-01|first=Chante |last =Hohip|date=2024-04-29|url=https://www.ewn.co.za/2024/04/29/kabza-de-small-mthunzi-win-big-at-metro-fm-awards|title=Kabza De Small, Mthunzi win big at Metro FM Awards}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|work=The Citizen|title=WATCH: Mthunzi's 'Imithandazo' sweeps Metro FM Music Awards 2024|date=2024-04-29|url=https://www.citizen.co.za/entertainment/celebrity-news/watch-mthunzis-imithandazo-sweeps-metro-fm-music-awards-2024/|first= Lineo|last= Lesemane|access-date=2024-07-01}}</ref> In July 2024, he appeared on a collaboration "Kabza Chant" by [[Kabza de Small]] featuring Mthunzi, [[Young Stunna]], [[Nkosazana Daughter]], Murumba Pitch, Mashudu, Anzo, Nokwazi and T-Man Xress. The song debuted No. 1 on Local Streaming Chart Top 10 by [[The Official South African Charts]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://theofficialsacharts.co.za|access-date=2024-07-01|work=The Official South African Charts|title=Top Charts This Week : Local Streaming}}</ref>
==Singles== ===As lead artist=== {| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;" |+ List of singles as lead artist, with selected chart positions and certifications, showing year released and album name |- ! scope="col" rowspan="2"| Title ! scope="col" rowspan="2"| Year ! scope="col" colspan="1"| Peak chart positions ! scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:12em;"| [[List of music recording certifications|Certifications]] ! scope="col" rowspan="2"| Album |- ! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:100%;"|[[Entertainment Monitoring Africa|ZA]]<br /> |- ! scope="row" | "Baningi" (featuring [[Mlindo the Vocalist]]) |2021 | — | | {{Non-album single}} |- ! scope="row" | "My My My" |rowspan=2|2022 | — | | {{Non-album single}} |- ! scope="row" | "Samatsheketshe" (Trigmatic, Mthunzi) | — | | {{Non-album single}} |- ! scope="row" | "Estikini" (Group Chat, Mthunzi) |rowspan=4|2023 | — | | {{Non-album single}} |- ! scope="row" | "Sifanelene" (Azana, Mthunzi) | — | | ''Igagu'' |- ! scope="row" | "Oops! (My Darling)" (Group Chat, Mthunzi) | — | | {{Non-album single}} |- ! scope="row" |"I Need You" (Bantu, Mr Miyagi, Mthunzi featuring Sfundo) | — | | {{Non-album single}} |- ! scope="row" |"eWallet" (Murumba Pitch, Mthunzi, Omit ST, Buhle Sax) |rowspan=8|2024 |— | |''Isidalo'' |- ! scope="row" |"Ingalo" (Frigid Armadillo, Atmos Blaq, Mthunzi) | — | | {{Non-album single}} |- ! scope="row" |"Mhlekazi" (TCT, Mthunzi, Mthandazo Gatya) |— | |''Factory Vault'' |- ! scope="row" |"Lunganele" (Mac G, EmjayKeyz, Mthunzi, Redash) |— | |{{non-album single}} |- ! scope="row" |"Mfana" (Bhubesi, Mthunzi) | — | | {{Non-album single}} |- ! scope="row" |"Upepe" (Claudio Wade, Mthunzi) | — | | {{Non-album single}} |- ! scope="row" |"Buya" (Shakes & Les, Mthunzi) | — | | {{Non-album single}} |- ! scope="row" |"Impi" (Murumba Pitch, Kabza De Small, Mthunzi featuring Phila Dlozi) |— | |''Impi'' |- | colspan="8" style="font-size:90%"| "—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory. |}
===As featured artist=== {| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;" |+ List of singles as featured artist, with selected chart positions and certifications, showing year released and album name |- ! scope="col" rowspan="2"| Title ! scope="col" rowspan="2"| Year ! scope="col" colspan="1"| Peak chart positions ! scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:12em;"| [[List of music recording certifications|Certifications]] ! scope="col" rowspan="2"| Album |- ! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:100%;"|[[The Official South African Charts|ZA]]<br /> |- ! scope="row" | "Sphesihle" ([[Thabsie]] featuring Mthunzi) |2019 |— | |{{non-album single}} |- ! scope="row" | "Bazokhuluma" ([[Kelly Khumalo]] featuring [[Zakwe]] and Mthunzi) |2022 |— | |''[[From a God to a King]]'' |- ! scope="row" | "eGoli" (Jessica LM featuring Mthunzi and DJ Khyber) |2023 |— | |{{non-album single}} |- ! scope="row" | "Kabza Chant" ([[Kabza De Small]] featuring Mthunzi, [[Young Stunna]], [[Nkosazana Daughter]], Murumba Pitch, Mashudu, Anzo, Nokwazi and T-Man Xpress) |rowspan=4|2024 | 1<ref>{{cite web|title='Amapiano King': Kabza De Small's 'Chant' makes history|first=Leeroy|last=Mukotekwa|date=2024-06-09|access-date=2024-07-01|work=The South African|url=https://www.thesouthafrican.com/lifestyle/celeb-news/local-celebs/amapiano-king-kabza-de-smalls-chant-makes-history/}}</ref> | | {{Non-album single}} |- ! scope="row" | "EBALENI" (James Hadi featuring Mthunzi) |— | | {{Non-album single}} |- ! scope="row" | "Diwa Kae" (De Mthuda featuring Kabza De Small, Young Stunna, Mkeyz, Mckenzie, Mthunzi) |— | | {{Non-album single}} |- ! scope="row" | "Ngeke" (Yumbs, Zwayetoven, Mawhoo featuring Mthunzi) |— | | {{Non-album single}} |- | colspan="8" style="font-size:90%"| "—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory. |}
=== Other charted and certified songs === {| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;" border="1" |+ List of other charted songs, with selected chart positions and certifications, showing year released and album name |- ! scope="col" rowspan="2"| Title ! scope="col" rowspan="2"| Year ! scope="col" colspan="1"| Peak chart positions ! scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:12em;"| [[List of music recording certifications|Certifications]] ! scope="col" rowspan="2"| Album |- ! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:100%;"|[[Entertainment Monitoring Africa|ZA]]<br /> |- ! scope="row" |"Imithandazo" (Kabza De Small, Mthunzi featuring Young Stunna, DJ Maphorisa, Sizwe Alakine & Umthakathi Kush) |rowspan=2|2023 |1<ref>{{cite web|title=Amapiano Anthems Dominate Charts with Imithandazo Securing its Reign |url=https://theofficialsacharts.co.za/amapiano-anthems-dominate-charts-with-imithandazo-securing-its-reign-ed-118/|work= The Official South African Charts|date=18 January 2024 |access-date=2024-07-05}}</ref> | |rowspan=2|''Isimo'' |- ! scope="row" |"Amazwe" (Kabza De Small featuring MaWhoo) |7<ref>{{cite web|title=Local Streaming Chart Top 10|access-date=2024-07-05|url=https://theofficialsacharts.co.za/charts/|work=The Official South African Charts|date=2024-07-05}}</ref> | |- | colspan="8" style="font-size:90%"| "—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory. |}
=== Songwriting and production credits === {| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;" |- ! Year ! Title ! Artist ! Album ! Writer or co-writer ! Producer or co-producer |- | rowspan="2"| 2020 | scope="row" | "Emadleleni" | S-Tone, Mthunzi, Sino Msolo | ''Mbabane'' | | {{tick}} |- | scope="row" | "Ngiyahamba" |Simmy |''Tugela Fairy Made of Stars'' |{{tick}} | |}
== Discography == === Studio albums === * ''Selimathunzi'' (2020)
=== Collaborative albums === * ''[[Isimo (album)|Isimo]]'' (with Kabza De Small) (2023)
=== Guest appearances === {| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;" ! scope="col" style="width:14em;" |Title ! scope="col" |Year ! scope="col" |Other artist(s) ! scope="col" |Album |- ! scope="row" |"Mamela" |2019 |Sino Msolo |''Mamela'' |- ! scope="row" |"Ngiyahamba" |rowspan=6|2020 |Simmy |''[[Tugela Fairy (Made of Stars)]]'' |- ! scope="row" |"Goduka" |[[Sun-El Musician]], Ami Faku |rowspan=2|''[[To the World & Beyond]]'' |- ! scope="row" |"Amasosha" |Sun-EL Musician, Sino Msolo |- ! scope="row" |"Give Me Light" |rowspan=2|S-Tone |rowspan=2|''Mbabane'' |- ! scope="row" |"Vroom Vroom" |- ! scope="row" |"Amaphara" | Claudio × Kenza, Sino Msolo | ''Circles of Life'' |- ! scope="row" |"Kumnyama" |2021 |[[Zakes Bantwini]] |''[[Ghetto King]]'' |- ! scope="row" |"K' Shubile" |rowspan=2|2022 |DJ, Vitoto Dee Cee |''Afro Nation'' |- ! scope="row" | "Ithemba Lami" |DJ Bongz, Bongo, Zaba, Sfundo |''Road Trip'' |- ! scope="row" |"Phambili" |rowspan=2|2023 |Claudio Wade |''Winds & Waves'' |- ! scope="row" |"Moja" |Darque |''More Life'' |- ! scope="row" | "Umdali" |rowspan=4|2024 |Kelvin Momo, Phila Dlozi, Sykes |''Sewe'' |- ! scope="row" | "Nawe Dali" |Master KG, Nkosazana Daughter, JL SA |''Makhelwane'' |- ! scope="row" | "Love or Hate" |[[Dlala Thukzin]], [[Oscar Mbo]] |''Finally Famous Too'' |- ! scope="row" |"Ubuhle" |Mpho.Wav |''Book of Wav'' |- ! scope="row" | "Umlayezo" |rowspan=2|2026 |Sun-EL Musician, Ami Faku |''Under The Sun'' |- ! scope="row" | "Thatha Inhliziyo" |Mpho.Wav |''Into The Deep'' |}
== Awards and nominations == === Metro FM Music Awards === {{Awards table}} ! {{abbr|Ref.|References}} |- |rowspan=4|[[18th Metro FM Music Awards|2024]] |rowspan=3 div style="text-align: center";>| "[[Imithandazo]]" | [[Metro FM Music Award for Song of the Year|Song of the Year]] |{{won}} |rowspan=5|<ref>{{cite web |title=FULL LIST {{!}} Kabza De Small, Mthunzi win big at Metro FM Music Awards|url=https://www.timeslive.co.za/tshisa-live/tshisa-live/2024-04-29-full-list--kabza-de-small-mthunzi-win-big-at-metro-fm-music-awards/|work=TimesLIVE|date=29 April 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.news24.com/life/arts-and-entertainment/music/mthunzi-bags-4-metro-fm-music-awards-and-r300k-20240428|title=Mthunzi bags 4 Metro FM Music Awards and R300k|publisher=News24 |location=South Africa|language=en-ZA|url-access=subscription|access-date=2024-06-30|date=28 April 2024|first=Constance |last=Gaanakgomo}}</ref> |- | Best Collaboration |{{won}} |- | Best Amapiano |{{won}} |- |div style="text-align: center";>|''Isimo'' |Best Produced Album |{{won}} {{end}}
=== South African Music Awards === {{awards table}} ! {{abbr|Ref.|References}} |- |[[26th South African Music Awards|2020]] |div style="text-align: center";>|''Selimathunzi'' |Best Afro Pop Album |{{nom}} |<ref>{{cite web|title=SAMA26 nominations unearth fresh new gems|url=https://www.dstv.com/mzansimagic/en-za/news/sama26-nominations-unearth-fresh-new-gems|work=DStv|access-date=2024-06-30}}</ref> |- |rowspan=5|2024 |rowspan=2|"Imithandazo" | Motsepe Foundation Record of the Year |{{nom}} |<ref>{{cite web|url=https://samusicawards.co.za/sama30-unveils-nominees-for-the-motsepe-foundation-record-of-the-year-and-risa-audio-visual-rav-music-video-of-the-year-awards/ |work=South African Music Awards|date=2024-08-14 |access-date=2024-08-15|title=#SAMA30 unveils nominees for the Motsepe Foundation Record of the Year and RiSA Audio Visual (RAV) Music Video of the Year Awards}}</ref> |- |Best Collaboration |{{nom}} |rowspan=4|<ref>{{cite web|url=https://sundayworld.co.za/celebrity-news/entertainment/sensational-tyla-leads-the-pack-with-five-sama30-nominations/|title=Sensational Tyla leads the pack with five SAMA30 nominations|work=Sunday World|access-date=26 September 2024|date= 26 September 2024}}</ref> |- |rowspan=3|''Isimo'' |Motsweding FM Best Amapiano Album |{{won}} |- |Radio 2000 Duo/Group of the Year |{{won}} |- |SAMPRA Album of the Year |{{won}} {{end}}
== References == {{reflist}} {{authority control}}
[[Category:Living people]] [[Category:People from KwaZulu-Natal]] [[Category:21st-century South African male singers]] [[Category:South African record producers]] [[Category:1992 births]]