Nkosinathi Mankayi (born 23 December 1982), professionally known as Nathi, is a South African singer-songwriter.[1]
Nathi | |
---|---|
Birth name | Nkosinathi Mankayi |
Born | Mthatha,Eastern Cape, South Africa | 23 December 1982
Genres | Afropop, afrosoul |
Occupation | Singer-songwriter |
Instrument | Vocals |
Years active | 2000–present |
Labels | Ghetto Ruff/Muthaland Gallo Record Company |
He shot to limelight upon the release of his critically acclaimed song titled "Nomvula" off his triple-platinum debut studio album Buyelekhaya.[2] He later released his second album titled Umbulelo Wam on 28 October 2016. He is presently signed under Gallo Record Company.[3][4]
Early life
editNkosinathi Mankayi was born among five siblings to a single mother in Mthatha, a small town in Eastern Cape, South Africa.[5] He grew up in Maclear, Eastern Cape, South Africa where he was educated and developed an interest in music and drawing.[6] In 2006, Nathi was sentenced to 8 years in prison for a 2002 robbery-related crime. He was however released after serving 4 years.[7][8]
Career
edit2008–2014: Early beginnings
editWith the aim of pursuing a career in music, Nathi competed and won a local music competition known as "Dare to Dream". He had his share of luck in November 2014 after Vusi Nova heard him sing and insisted on featuring him on a song titled "Noma Kanjani", a song that was well received and went on to get massive airplay around South Africa.
Nathi has one child born in 2017 and a sister who is also a singer.[5][9]
2015–2017: Buyelekhaya and Umbulelo Wam
editNathi started recording his debut studio album titled Buyelekhaya in late 2014, releasing "Nomvula" as its lead single in 2015. Upon the release of the song, it became an instant hit, winning the "Best Selling Full-Track Download" at the 22nd South African Music Awards.[8][10] On 10 March 2015, through Muthaland Entertainment, Nathi released Buyelekhaya to critical and commercial acceptance by going platinum within six weeks of its release, selling over 128,000 units.[2] At the 22nd South African Music Awards, Nathi won five awards with Buyelekhaya winning the "Best-Selling Album of the Year" and "Best R&B / Soul / Reggae Album" categories.[10]
On 28 October 2016, he released a 12-track sophomore album titled Umbulelo Wam. The album charted on #2 on iTunes and sold over 35,000 units.[11]
2018-present: Iphupha Labantu, Usiba Lwe Gazi
editHe signed a record deal with Gallo Record Company and release his third studio album Iphupha Labantu on July 27, 2018.[12][13] The album won award for Best African Adult Contemporary Album at 25th South African Music Awards.[14]
His fourth studio album Usiba Lwe Gazi, was released on October 21, 2022.[15] It won Best African Adult Contemporary Album at the 29th ceremony of South African Music Awards.[16]
Discography
editStudio albums
editTitle | Album details | Peak chart positions | Certifications | Sales | ||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
NGR | RSA | GHA | SWE | UK | US Released:15 June 2014 | |||||||||
Buyelekhaya |
|
– | — | — | — | — | — | 3× Platinum[17] | 90,000 | |||||
Umbulelo Wam |
|
— | — | — | — | — | — | 35,000 | ||||||
Iphupha Labantu |
|
— | — | — | — | — | — | |||||||
Usiba Lwe Gazi |
|
— | — | — | — | — | — | |||||||
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory. |
Singles
editAs lead artist
editTitle | Year | Peak chart positions | Certifications | Album | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
ZA | |||||||
"Qeqe (Emathandweni)" | 2018 | — | |||||
"Igazi" | 2021 | — | |||||
"Home Boiiz" (Elten BPE, Nathi) | 2024 | — | |||||
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory. |
Awards and nominations
editYear | Award ceremony | Prize | Work/Recipient | Result | Ref |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
2016 | 15th Metro FM Music Awards | Best African Pop Album | Buyelekhaya | Won | [19] |
Best Male Album | Nominated | [20] | |||
Best New Artist | Himself | Nominated | [20] | ||
Best R&B Single | "Nomvula" | Nominated | [21] | ||
Song of the Year | Won | [19] | |||
22nd South African Music Awards | Album of the Year | Buyelekhaya | Nominated | [21] | |
Male Artist of the Year | Himself | Won | [22] | ||
Newcomer of the Year | Won | [22] | |||
Best R&B/Soul/Reggae Album | Buyelekhaya | Won | [23] | ||
Best Selling Album | Won | [23] | |||
Best Selling Full-Track Download | "Nomvula" | Won | [23] | ||
2019 | Eastern Cape Music Awards | Best EC National Recognised Artist | Himself | Nominated | [24] |
2023 | South African Music Awards | Best African Adult Contemporary Album | Usiba Lwe Gazi | Won |
References
edit- ^ Sanasie, Jennifer (23 December 2015). "My life changed this year – Nathi on prison, the arts & 2016". News24. Retrieved 7 June 2016.
- ^ a b Baba, Buchule (21 October 2015). "Nathi Mankayi: From prison to stardom". Sunday World. Retrieved 7 June 2016.
- ^ Molefe, Doreen (17 March 2015). "NKOSINATHI'S HITTING THE RIGHT NOTE". Daily Sun (South Africa). Retrieved 7 June 2016.
- ^ Mofokeng, Lesley (25 July 2015). "Nathi fever grips Mzansi". Sowetan. Retrieved 8 June 2016.
- ^ a b "Nathi – Buyelekhaya". Muthaland Entertainment. Retrieved 7 June 2016.
- ^ Vomo, Munya (18 March 2015). "Nathi: a breath of fresh acoustic air". IOL. Retrieved 7 June 2016.
- ^ Makhubo, Phumla (1 September 2015). "THE MAN OF THE MOMENT!". Daily Sun (South Africa). Retrieved 7 June 2016.
- ^ a b Ngumama, Noba (24 July 2015). "Catching up with "Nomvula" hit-maker Nathi". DRUM Magazine. Retrieved 7 June 2016.
- ^ "10 Facts You Didn't Know About Nathi Mankayi". My TV News. 25 October 2015. Retrieved 7 June 2016.
- ^ a b Mbonambi, Buhle (5 June 2016). "Nathi, Black Coffee win big at Samas". IOL News. Retrieved 7 June 2016.
- ^ Dayile, Qhama (28 October 2016). "Nathi Mankayi releases new album". DRUM. Retrieved 25 November 2016.
- ^ Journalist, The (13 July 2018). "Nathi Mankayi Iphupha Labantu album set to drop July end". Zkhiphani.
- ^ "STREAM: Nathi releases new album 'Iphupha Labantu' | YOMZANSI". YoMzansi. 30 July 2018.
- ^ "2019 Best African Adult Contemporary Album Winner : Nathi – Iphupha Labantu". South African Music Awards. 31 May 2019.
- ^ Bambalele, Patience (4 October 2022). "Nathi goes deeper in his latest offering, gives hope". Sunday World. Retrieved 4 August 2024.
- ^ Kruger, Henno. "SAMA29: Here's the Full List of Winners". South African Music Zone. Retrieved 4 August 2024.
- ^ "5 Facts About Nathi Mankayi". Urban Culxure. 24 April 2016. Retrieved 7 June 2016.
- ^ "Nathi Goes Deeper in His Work". Sowetan Live. 4 October 2022. Retrieved 19 January 2023.
- ^ a b Nandipha Pantsi (27 February 2016). "Emtee, Fifi Cooper and Nathi win big at Metro FM Awards". The Citizen (South Africa). Retrieved 7 June 2016.
- ^ a b "Metro FM Awards 2016 Winners [List]". MyTV News. 27 February 2016. Retrieved 7 June 2016.
- ^ a b "15th Metro FM Music Awards nominees (Full list)". Sunday World. 15 January 2016. Archived from the original on 26 May 2016. Retrieved 7 June 2016.
- ^ a b "Nathi and Black Coffee dominate at SAMA 2016". Sowetan Live. 5 June 2016. Archived from the original on 6 June 2016. Retrieved 7 June 2016.
- ^ a b c Malatji, Ngwako (5 June 2016). "Nathi wins 5 Samas, Black Coffee wins 4". Sunday World. Retrieved 7 June 2016.
- ^ Seroto, Butchie (20 September 2019). "SA Eastern Cape Music Awards: All the nominees". Music In Africa.