Latest news with #MlindoTheVocalist
TimesLIVE
20-07-2025
- Entertainment
- TimesLIVE
Scorpion Kings and Sony Music Africa artists bring joy to Alexandra on Mandela Day
In a powerful display of unity and service, Sony Music Africa and a star-studded line-up of artists joined forces with the Scorpion Kings Live With Friends team to celebrate Mandela Day at the Thuthuzela Aid Community Centre in Alexandra. Led by amapiano heavyweights DJ Maphorisa and Mlindo The Vocalist, the initiative brought together a diverse group of artists — including Ftears, Sweet Lemonade, Duppy, LeeArt, Tracy, Nicole, Bontle Smith, Lastborn, Stakev, Nkulee501, Acutedose, Djy Vino, Mdu aka TRP, Kopzz Avenue and Njilour — all of whom took time out from rehearsals for the upcoming Scorpion Kings Live With Friends mega concert at Loftus Versfeld Stadium in Pretoria.
The Citizen
20-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Citizen
Mlindo The Vocalist releases his long-awaited album on Mandela Day as a way of ‘giving back'
Mlindo The Vocalist released his long-awaited album 'Uhambo The Journey' on Mandela Day. Mlindo The Vocalist has released a new album, Uhambio, The Journey. Picture: Mlindo the After being unsatisfied with the mixing of two songs, Mlindo The Vocalist decided to push back the release date of his album from June to July. Mandela Day seemed the right time to give his fans the music they've long been waiting for. 'When we moved it to July I just thought since the 18th is Mandela Day, it's about giving back to the community…and people have been asking for the album, so I thought why not,' Mlindo The Vocalist tells The Citizen. The musician also went into the community to do charity work in Alexandra together with other artists, for Mandela Day. Real name Lindokuhle Mgedezi, the 29-year-old singer-songwriter released his third studio album, Uhambo The Journey. The title refers to Mlindo's past few years, during which he took a step back from the limelight to focus on himself. 'I took a break in music to focus on myself as a person because sometime you can get lost as a person in this industry,' shares Mlindo. ALSO READ: 'It's a kiss; there was no nudity': L-Tido responds after YouTube restricts episode visibility Mlindo dealing with fame Mlindo released his debut album Emakhaya in 2018. The album was certified platinum by RiSA and it racked up almost 45 million streams just under a year after its release. Emakhaya is the most-streamed album by a South African solo artist on Spotify. This saw him experience resounding success at just the age of 23, which attracted bad company, he said. At the height of his career, Mlindo had one of his lowest moments when he went viral for being drunk and struggling to perform on stage at a 2020 gig in Tshwane, where he says one of his close friends put something in his drink. 'The time when I got spiked, that was the hardest thing to deal with. It was something that was not in my control… it's like they were teaching me a lesson or something. I thought I was accepting a drink from a friend, it was out of love from my side, however, they were on another mission,' he says. Reflecting on that period of his life, he says he would have probably handled things differently if he had had a mentor. 'I think it was a mentorship thing. I didn't have the right people to advise me at the time,' he said. Mlindo received support from industry peers, such as Sjava and Somizi, during his time away, who would call to check on his well-being. 'I'm grateful for that and I wish they continue doing that for other young artists who have just come into the industry because it's not easy when you're alone.' 'I'm grown now, I've learnt my lessons. The love of music is still there…but more than anything, I have grown over the last few years.' Part of those lessons was mending his relationship with DJ Maphorisa, with whom he had a fallout. The pair's dispute stemmed from accusations of betrayal and backstabbing, with Maphorisa claiming Mlindo and his manager cut him out of a deal. 'Maphorisa and I got on a call, and we ironed things out. I told him I had no issues with him, and all that was said didn't come from me,' shares Mlindo. ALSO READ: WATCH: 'Come get me, I am not above the law' — Kelly Khumalo hits back at Advocate Teffo's Senzo Meyiwa murder claims Music Even during his sabbatical, Mlindo's debut album remained in the top ten most-streamed albums in South African. 'I'm grateful to the people who stream the music. This made me feel good about myself, that the music we made was timeless. To actually go through those years, where other people were releasing music but we're still in the top 10 most streamed albums since 2018-it really motivated me,' Mlindo said. 'The music is helping people. We don't just make music for clubs, but we make music that heals people with things they're going through.' During his adversity, Mlindo was listening to a variety of music to help him heal. 'I could say Simphiwe Dana played a role, Sjava's music and a lot of Sun-El Musician's music. Also, something that I never listened to growing up but that I stared listening to a lot was gospel music,' he shared. He adds that Dana's Zandisile album from 2004 is one he listens to a lot. 'It's been on my playlist since lockdown and it remains there.' Mlindo says listening to Zandisile inspired the direction of his new album, which has more live music. 'I was experimenting with a lot of different sounds. In terms of the message, it's still like the Mlindo that fans love, but in terms of sound, there's improvement because I was going for something with a North African feel.' NOW READ: Lauryn Hill and sons to headline 12th edition of Delicious Festival
News24
13-06-2025
- Entertainment
- News24
Full circle moment for Mlindo The Vocalist and DJ Maphorisa in new new single, Inkomo Zika Baba
He's given us AmaBlesser and Emakhaya. Not only did these hits usher us into covid, but they also saw us through its first bit. Even after a stint away from the limelight, Mlindo the Vocalist hasn't lost his touch. The beloved storyteller and award-winning top-selling artist Mlindo has now officially launched the countdown to his highly anticipated third album, Uhambo-The Journey, with the release of its powerful lead single - Inkomo Zika Baba. The lead single features DJ Maphorisa, Cowboii and Madumane. Returning with a bolder and mature voice and a deeper story to tell, he is ready to take us on a sonic journey of his life with Uhambo-The Journey. Read more | Musician Mlindo starting on a clean slate - 'I had to learn the hard way' The album is a storytelling project that chronicles his path from the long-travelled road from his top-selling debut album Emakhaya through the self-reflective lens of his sophomore self-titled album 'Lindokuhle'. He opens a new yet very familiar chapter, that captures growth, self-awareness and his steadfast pursuit of storytelling. 'My new single, Inkomo Zika Baba, featuring DJ Maphorisa and CowBoii, is a piano song and it felt right to release this single first as it features my mentor and father figure DJ Maphorisa. My musical journey started with him, my first biggest song AmaBlesser was done with him, so this song just felt like it's the perfect song to start off the journey of Uhambo,' he shares. On Inkomo Zika Baba, the artists paint a vivid picture of a man so devoted to his partner that he's willing to give everything to make her his wife, even if that means gambling, taking out a loan, or offering every last one of his father's cows. It's a heartfelt, dramatic, and relatable tale of commitment and admiration, told through Mlindo's signature lyrical storytelling. 'In this song we talk about a partner that you love so much that you just want to lobola them. All you want to do is marry them immediately, I talk about being willing to take all my father's cows to give to this person's family just to have them as my wife- there are no limits to how far I would go to get this person to be my wife. I talk about even going to a loan shark, just to make sure that the lobola money is there and it's an amount that is right and fitting for this person,' he adds. In an Instagram post announcing the album countdown, he thanked his supporters for having held him down since Emakhaya days. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Lindokuhle Mgedezi (@mlindothevocalist)
TimesLIVE
11-06-2025
- Entertainment
- TimesLIVE
Mlindo The Vocalist celebrates his musical milestones with intimate ‘Emakhaya' documentary watch party
Mlindo The Vocalist is taking a moment to reflect on his musical journey by hosting an exclusive watch party for his long-anticipated Emakhaya documentary. Surrounded by friends, collaborators and key figures who have played vital roles in his rise to fame, the intimate event marks a celebration of legacy ahead of his return with new music. After bursting onto the music scene in 2018, Mlindo cemented his status as a breakout artist with the release of Emakhaya, his multi-platinum and award-winning debut album. ' Emakhaya is a special album for me and my fans,' said Mlindo. 'It relates to so many people and households countrywide as it breaks down our daily problems and real-life experiences. I feel like Emakhaya is music for the soul, and it's hard to forget or get over that album.' With the Emakhaya documentary, Mlindo offers fans behind-the-scenes glimpse into his beginnings. Shot five years ago during the early days of his career, the film chronicles his journey from unknown talent to household name, a journey coming full circle as he prepares for his third album, Uhambo – The Journey. 'We shot the documentary when I was young and new to the industry,' he said. 'A lot has happened since then, but it fits perfectly with the new album. It shows how and where my journey started. 'I think fans appreciate the authenticity in the songs. Emakhaya couldn't fully tell my story as I was figuring myself out. My second album Lindokuhle was more personal. I got to work with people I admire including Ami Faku, Ishmael and Mthunzi. With Uhambo, I've grown musically and embraced a fusion of different styles and experiences.' Set to premiere soon, the Emakhaya documentary promises fans raw, emotional and authentic moments as Mlindo invites them into his home and heart. 'Fans will get to see my family and where I'm from, my siblings, my mother. They'll get to meet the real Lindokuhle. They'll witness how Mlindo The Vocalist came to be.' Mlindo is gearing up to drop his latest single Inkomo Zika Baba, featuring long-time mentor DJ Maphorisa and Cowboii. A return to his amapiano roots, the track signals the beginning of a new chapter. 'It felt right to start the Uhambo journey with the song. DJ Maphorisa was there at the beginning. Our first big hit Amablesser came from that collaboration. The new track is a nod to the past and a step toward the future.'
