Culolethu Zulu (born 20 August 1990 in Eshowe, Kwazulu Natal), known commonly by his stage name Culoe De Song, is a South African record producer, DJ and sangoma.[1] His first name, "Culolethu", is an IsiZulu name meaning "our song", and he is known as "Culo" or "Culoe" meaning "song"; the name is pronounced with a clicking "C", not to be erroneously pronounced like the Spanish word "culo", which rhymes with "cool". He released his first album, A Giant Leap, in 2009. In 2011, he released his album Elevation with the help of Kindnes Khupe, a Zimbabwean-born tribal mix DJ.[2] Later, he released Exodus (2013).[2] Culoe De Song recently won The Best Male Artist for the 2014 Metro FM Awards for his album Exodus,[3] an album that was featured on Rolling Stone's (South Africa) Top 500 Albums of 2013. He also participated in the 2008 Red Bull Music Academy in Barcelona, Spain.[4]
Culoe De Song | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Culolethu Zulu |
| Born | 20 August 1990 |
| Origin | Eshowe, KwaZulu Natal, South Africa |
| Genres | House, electronic, Afro house, Afro tech |
| Occupation(s) | Record producer, DJ |
| Years active | 2007–present |
| Labels |
|
| Website | CuloeDeSong.net |
Early life and career
editHe began his music career in early 2007 DJing in South Africa alongside local acts like Black Coffee[5] and international visitors like Louie Vega and Rocco.[6] Following his forays in DJing, Culoe De Song began exploring production where he collaborated with Black Coffee on the track "100 Zulu Warriors", who included the tunes tribal aural assault on his second album Have Another One. Culoe De Song was later signed to Black Coffee's label Soulistic Music and was selected as one of the worldwide participants to attend the 2008 Red Bull Music Academy held in Barcelona, Spain. This made him one of the youngest participant in the academy's history.[7] While in Spain, Culoe De Song performed at Club Macerana and Fellini in Barcelona and was later invited to perform at Sonar in Spain. In 2009, Culoe De Song released the EP The Bright Forest on this German record label Innervisions. This release introduced him to a wider European audience and electronic scene.
Culoe De Song then started on his international showings while at the same time releasing his debut album, A Giant Leap, an album that went gold.[8] The album got him award nominations in multiple categories, for the 2010 South African Music Awards,[9] the Namibian Museke Awards,[10] and the 2010 Metro FM awards.[11] He released his second album, Elevation, in 2011, where he collaborated with France’s deep house DJ and producer Rocco as well as local South African acts, such as Goldfish and funk dub four piece 340ml.
The Japanese label Mule Musiq and German Label Innervisions released several singles centered on his Afrocentric rhythms and subtle digital textures.[12][13] Culoe De Song continues to perform as a DJ at corporate events, clubs, and international music festivals.
Notable festivals performed at include the Smirnoff Night Life Exchange worldwide tour in São Paulo, Brazil, Amsterdam Dance Event and the Winter Music Conference in Miami, SolarFest (Spain), and also Weather (France),[14] Oslo World Music Festival (Norway),[15] Festival Week-end au bord de l’eau (Switzerland),[16] and local South African festivals Oppikoppi, Rocking the Daisies, and JnB Start a Party. He has performed alongside Seth Troxler, Richie Hawtin, Little Louie Vega, Carl Craig, Ame, DJs At Work, Rocco, Manoo, Ralf Gum, JoJo Flores, and Boddhi Satva.
Culoe De Song is growing with popularity as a South African icon being featured in the likes of Rolling Stone,[17] Shook,[18] The New Age (South Africa), GQ,[19] and Raveline (Germany).
Discography
editAlbums
edit- A Giant Leap (2009)
- Elevation (2011)
- Exodus (2013)
- Washa (2016)
- Life (2020)
Selected remixes
edit- Qness ft. Oluhle - "Fugama Unamathe" (Culoe De Song Serenity Mix)
- Black Coffee ft. Hugh Masekela - "We Are One" (2011)
- Black Coffee - "Crazy" (Culoe De Song Winter Remix) (2011)
- Ternielle Nelson - "African Woman" (Culoe De Song Remix) (2011)
- Claude Monnet and Torre Bros - "Megouli Awasse" (Culoe De Song Window of God Mix) (2011)
- Goldfish feat. Monique Hellenberg - "Call Me" (Culoe De Song Remix) (2011)
- Reggie Dokes - "Let Me Go" (Culoe De Song Zulu Spirit Mix) (2012)
- DJ Kent feat. Zaki Ibrahim - "Sunrise" (Culoe De Song Remix) (2013)
- Glenn Lewis - "Good One" (Culoe De Song Remix) (2013)
Selected singles and EP's
edit- The Bright Forrest EP (2009)
- "Fallen Siren" (2009)
- Webaba EP (2010)
- "Ambush" (2010)
- "Stig Boardersman" (2013)
- Medicine EP (2018)
DJ mixes
edit- RA 146 by Culoe De Song
Awards and nominations
edit| Year | Award Ceremony | Prize | Work/Recipient | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | South African Music Awards | Best New Artist | A Giant Leap | Nominated[20] |
| 2013 | 13th Metro FM Music Awards | Best Male Artist | Exodus | Won[21] |
References
edit- ^ "Culoe De Song becomes a sangoma — says it's all about healing, not trending". TimesLIVE. Archived from the original on 17 August 2022. Retrieved 27 May 2024.
- ^ a b "Discogs". Archived from the original on 12 April 2014. Retrieved 29 May 2014.
- ^ Dlamini, Sowetan LIVE, Photos: Philani. "At the 13th Metro FM Awards - PHOTOS". Sowetan LIVE. Archived from the original on 4 January 2015. Retrieved 24 October 2014.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ "RA: Culoe De Song". Residentadvisor.net. Archived from the original on 5 January 2015. Retrieved 7 August 2014.
- ^ "Meoko". Archived from the original on 4 February 2016. Retrieved 29 May 2014.
- ^ "Culoe de Song, Manoo & Rocco by Snaak47". Deep & Soulful Housemusic!. Archived from the original on 4 February 2016. Retrieved 29 May 2014.
- ^ "Culoe de Song : Red Bull Music Academy Radio". Rbmaradio.com. Archived from the original on 4 February 2016. Retrieved 7 August 2014.
- ^ "Sowetan Live". Archived from the original on 18 February 2014. Retrieved 29 May 2014.
- ^ "2010 SAMA Nominees". Archived from the original on 4 January 2015. Retrieved 24 October 2014.
- ^ "Museke Online Africa Music Awards (MOAMAs) Nominees 2010 - Museke". Archived from the original on 4 January 2015. Retrieved 24 October 2014.
- ^ "Metro FM music awards nominees". Archived from the original on 4 January 2015. Retrieved 24 October 2014.
- ^ "Culoe De Song - Ambush". Archived from the original on 4 February 2016. Retrieved 29 May 2014.
- ^ "Culoe De Song". Archived from the original on 4 December 2013. Retrieved 29 May 2014.
- ^ "RA: Watch Black Coffee, Culoe De Song and Manoo play Weather Festival - Feed". Residentadvisor.net. 9 July 2013. Archived from the original on 4 February 2016. Retrieved 7 August 2014.
- ^ "Culoe De Song | Oslo World Music Festival". Osloworld.no. 18 July 2013. Archived from the original on 28 December 2013. Retrieved 7 August 2014.
- ^ "RA: 8ème Édition - Festival Week-end au Bord de L'eau at Lac De Géronde, Switzerland". Residentadvisor.net. 2 February 2014. Archived from the original on 4 February 2016. Retrieved 7 August 2014.
- ^ Keylock, Miles (13 January 2014). "Culoe De Song - Rolling Stone South Africa". Rollingstone.co.za. Archived from the original on 4 February 2016. Retrieved 7 August 2014.
- ^ [1][dead link]
- ^ "10 Essentials: Culoe De Song | GQ South Africa". Gq.co.za. Archived from the original on 4 February 2016. Retrieved 7 August 2014.
- ^ "News: Culoe De Song at the SAMAs'". Channel24. Archived from the original on 7 July 2017. Retrieved 29 December 2016.
- ^ "News: Culoe De Song wins at the Metro FM Music Awards". mail&guardian. Archived from the original on 29 December 2016. Retrieved 29 December 2016.