# Umlilo > Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Umlilo > Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Umlilo.md > Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Umlilo > Source revision: 1218727796 > License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/) "**Umlilo**" is a single by a South African DJ professionally known as [DJ Zinhle](/source/DJ_Zinhle), released on 23 August 2019, the single features vocals from female singer [Rethabile Khumalo](/source/Rethabile_Khumalo) with production from [Mvzzle](/source/Mvzzle). Umlilo has been certified multi-platinum and within its first three months, it reached over 5.1 million streams.[1] ## Background When translated, “Umlilo” means fire, translated from [isiZulu](/source/IsiZulu) to [English](/source/English_language). In the jam, three artists are grateful for what God has done to them. He has opened their eyes and ears, and they can speak because of “God’s fire alone. It is also essential to point out that each of the three artists chose their lines well. [Mvzzle](/source/Mvzzle) contacted renowned DJ and entrepreneur, [DJ Zinhle](/source/DJ_Zinhle) with two beats, one of which is now the smash hit ‘Umlilo’ featuring Rethabile – who had earlier DM’d, [DJ Zinhle](/source/DJ_Zinhle) on [Instagram](/source/Instagram) proposing a collaboration with her, one thing led to the other and single was produced. Zinhle, in an edition of Red Bull Live With, explained to Mo Flava about the exact meaning behind the hit song. "There has been a big debate about 'Umlilo' because it's such a big club or party song and people don't know that its actually a sing that praises God. It talks about the wonders of God's love and it is based on [Bible](/source/Bible) scriptures which is amazing", explained the DJ.[2] The single was released through [Universal Music South Africa](/source/Universal_Music) on behalf of [Kalawa Jazmee](/source/Kalawa_Jazmee). ## Composition and lyrics "Umlilo" is a [house](/source/House_music) track that has a touch of [dance](/source/Dance_music)/[electronic](/source/Electronic_music). The song features an "upbeat tempo beat" with Rethabile's vocals quoting a Bible verse ## Critical reception The female producer [DJ Zinhle](/source/DJ_Zinhle) was accused of buying nominations for the song and she had to clap back to clarify the mistakes made by the media.[3] ## Accolades The hit-single went on to receive triple-platinum plaques,[4] and nominated for Record Of The Year (fan-voted) at [26th South African Music Awards](/source/26th_South_African_Music_Awards).[4] The single won a [NAMA](/source/Namibian_Annual_Music_Awards) (award).[5] Year Award Ceremony Prize Recipient/Nominated work Result Ref. 2020 South African Music Awards Record of the Year (fan-voted) "Umlilo" 2021 Best Music Video of the Year ## Music video [DJ Zinhle](/source/DJ_Zinhle) released a visuals teaser of her hit single on Wednesday of . The video depicts the female DJ alongside a couple of dancers, Rethabile singing on the microphone and [Mvzzle](/source/Mvzzle) behind the decks[6][7] The official full length music video was released on , via [YouTube](/source/YouTube)[8] In celebration of the song's success, [DJ Zinhle](/source/DJ_Zinhle) released a second [Platinum] video for Umlilo in December and just a few months later, the video has reached over 3 million views on [YouTube](/source/YouTube).[1] ## References 1. ZAlebs (20 May 2020). ["DJ Zinhle's Umlilo Video Reaches 3 Million Views"](https://zalebs.com/top-of-the/dj-zinhle/dj-zinhle-s-umlilo-video-reaches-3-million-views). *ZAlebs*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20211021014517/https://zalebs.com/top-of-the/dj-zinhle/dj-zinhle-s-umlilo-video-reaches-3-million-views) 21 October 2021 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 21 October 2021. 1. Liam, Karabo Joyce (8 April 2020). ["The truth behind DJ Zinhle's hit single 'Umlilo'"](https://www.iol.co.za/amp/entertainment/the-truth-behind-dj-zinhles-hit-single-umlilo-46390968). *[IOL](/source/Independent_Online_(South_Africa))*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20211021014518/https://www.iol.co.za/amp/entertainment/the-truth-behind-dj-zinhles-hit-single-umlilo-46390968) 21 October 2021 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 21 October 2021. 1. ["DJ Zinhle claps back at trolls saying she bought SAMAs nominations"](https://www.iol.co.za/amp/entertainment/celebrity-news/international/dj-zinhle-claps-back-at-trolls-saying-she-bought-samas-nominations-50908030). *[IOL](/source/Independent_Online_(South_Africa))*. 13 July 2020. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20211026140835/https://www.iol.co.za/amp/entertainment/celebrity-news/international/dj-zinhle-claps-back-at-trolls-saying-she-bought-samas-nominations-50908030) 26 October 2021 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 26 October 2021. 1. Coetzee, Nikita (13 November 2020). ["DJ Zinhle's Umlilo goes triple platinum"](https://www.news24.com/amp/channel/music/news/dj-zinhles-umlilo-goes-triple-platinum-20201112). *News24*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20211026140836/https://www.news24.com/amp/channel/music/news/dj-zinhles-umlilo-goes-triple-platinum-20201112) 26 October 2021 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 26 October 2021. 1. ["DJ Zinhle bursts with joy as Umlilo wins Namibian Annual Music Award Read more"](https://briefly.co.za/83299-dj-zinhle-bursts-joy-umlilo-wins-pan-african-music-award.html). *Briefly*. 19 October 2020. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20211026140835/https://briefly.co.za/83299-dj-zinhle-bursts-joy-umlilo-wins-pan-african-music-award.html) 26 October 2021 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 26 October 2021. 1. Jiyane, Ntombezinhle (6 November 2019). ["#umlilo music video drops next friday"](https://www.instagram.com/p/B4hF8KZDCzd/?ig_rid=91c54358-9f25-4b82-a25a-c66c8022e63f&ig_mid=11C76B8F-6144-4842-832A-14526BB03BA8). *[Instagram](/source/Instagram)*. [Archived](https://ghostarchive.org/iarchive/s/instagram/B4hF8KZDCzd) 26 December 2021 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 16 November 2021. 1. ["DJ Zinhle releases the official music video teaser for Umlilo"](https://justnje.com/dj-zinhle-releases-the-official-teaser-of-the-umlilo-music-video/). *justnje.com*. 7 November 2019. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20211116161648/https://justnje.com/dj-zinhle-releases-the-official-teaser-of-the-umlilo-music-video/) 16 November 2021 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 16 November 2021. 1. ["DJ Zinhle - Umlilo ft. Mvzzle, Rethabile"](https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=HDWlYhqqwTA). *[YouTube](/source/YouTube)*. 14 November 2019. Retrieved 16 November 2021. ## External links - [Umlilo lyrics](https://www.musixmatch.com/lyrics/DJ-Zinhle-feat-Mvzzle-Rethabile/Umlilo) on [Musixmatch](/source/Musixmatch) --- Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Umlilo](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Umlilo) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Umlilo?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.