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Bongekile Mildred Simelane (born 25 March 1994) prominently known as Babes Wodumo(also qqom queen),[2] is a South African singer-songwriter and choreographer. She rose to fame following the release of her debut album Gqom Queen, Vol. 1 (2016) and furthermore subsequently being nominated at the MTV Europe Music Award for Best African Act.[3][4]

Babes Wodumo is a part of the music connoisseurs who were pivotal in influencing the gqom genre's international acclaim including the likes of South African rapper Okmalumkoolkat, Italian record label Gqom Oh owner, Malumz Kole[5] inclusive of music taste-maker and public relations liaison, Cherish Lala Mankai[5] and Afrotainment record label owner DJ Tira. She appeared on the Black Panther: The Album compilation by Kendrick Lamar on a song titled "Redemption".[6] In 2017, Wodumo was nominated for the BET Award for Best International Act: Africa.[7] In July 2020, she released her second album Idando Kazi which included the hit song,"eLamont" featuring Mampintsha (former Big Nuz member) as well as Skillz. [8]

Life and career

1994-2013: Early childhood

Bongekile Mildred Simelane was born in March 25, 1994 in Lamontville, Durban. Her father Welcome Simelane is a Bishop.[9]

2014-2019: Career beginnings, breakthrough, Black Panther

She released her first song titled "Desha" produced by Sir Bubzin, In 2014. After she signed a record deal with West Ink, one of her hit singles "Wololo" featuring Mampintsha was released in December 2015 in South Africa.[10] The song earned her a nomination for Best Breakthrough Artist and Song of the Year at MTV Africa Music Awards.[11]

Her debut gqom studio album Gqom Queen Vol. 1 proceeded with three singles "Wololo", "Umgan Wami" and "Mercedes". Upon its release the song surpassed 28 million streams and debuted at number 3 on iTunes charts.[12][13] The album was certified platinum by the South African record industry trade association (RISA).[13]

Subsequently she was featured on the Black Panther(soundtrack) compilation by Kendrick Lamar.[14]

2020-present: Idando Kazi

In July of year 2020, she released her sophomore studio album Idando Kazi via West Ink Records[15] featuring Mampintsha, Skillz, T.N.S,Madanon,Worst Behavior and many others.[16] "eLamont" was released as the lead single of the album which debuted at number 3 on the South African iTunes charts.[citation needed]

The album was nominated at the 27th South African Music Awards. In 2021 herself and her husband premiered their reality TV show Uthando Lodumo which aired on Showmax.[17]

Personal life

Domestic violence case

In 2019, reports surfaced that Wodumo's boyfriend and manager Mandla "Mampintsha" Maphumulo had physically assaulted her. Wodumo broadcast the incident on Instagram Live. Mampintsha was arrested on suspicion of assault.[18] Even though the relationship between the two had appeared to be over, both parties agreed to counselling and reconciled and later on appeared to be on good terms. Mampintsha later on featured on her second album, Idando Kazi.[19]

Marriage and children

Babes Wodumo married Mandla Maphumulo in 2020.[20] In 2021 they had their first child.[21] Her husband and long-time collaboration partner later passed away in December 2022, as reported due to a stroke.[22][23]

SAMAs

In 2017, Wodumo was the most nominated artist at the 23rd South African Music Awards. However, she did not win any award, and this led to an altercation after the singer accused the personnel from the SAMA 23 of buying awards.[24]

Discography

Studio albums

  • Gqom Queen Vol.1
  • Indando Kazi
List of studio albums
Title Album details Certification
Gqom Queen Vol.1[25] RiSA: Gold
Indando Kazi[19]

Singles

Artist Featuring Title
Babes Wodumo featuring Mampintsha and Sklliz eLamont
Babes Wodumo featuring Mampintsha, TNS and Skillz Abadala
Babes Wodumo featuring Rhythm Soundz, Dladla Mshunqisi and Tipcee Angeke
Babes Wodumo featuring Mampintsha and Worst Behavior Corona
Babes Wodumo featuring Mampintsha and Drega Dankie Jack
Babes Wodumo featuring Mampintsha, Madanon and Drega Intombi Yesgebengu
Babes Wodumo featuring Mampintsha, RockBoy, Cultivated Soulz and Sizwe Mdlalose Izitha
Babes Wodumo feat. Native Life, Madanon and Mampintsha Levels
Babes Wodumo featuring Drega and Sizwe Mdlalos MaTen Ten
Babes Wodumo featuring RockBoy, Madanon and Benzy Umzimba
Babes Wodumo featuring RockBoy, Madanon and Benzy Umzimba
Babes Wodumo featuring RockBoy, Madanon and Benzy Umzimba
Babes Wodumo featuring Newlandz Finest Ungangyeki

Awards and nominations

Year Nominee / work Award Result
16th Metro FM Music Awards Gqom Queen Vol.1 Best Dance Album Nominated
Gqom Queen Vol.1 Best Female Album Nominated
Wololo (feat. Mampintsha & Distruction Boyz Song Of The Year) Nominated
23rd South African Music Awards Herself Newcomer Of The Year Nominated
Female Artist Of The Year Herself Nominated
Wololo (feat. Mampintsha & Distruction Boyz) Record Of The Year Nominated
Gqom Queen Vol.1 Album of the Year Nominated
Female Artist Of The Year Herself Nominated
MTV Africa Music Awards 2016 Song Of The Year Wololo (feat. Mampintsha and Distruction Boyz) Nominated
BET Awards 2017 Herself Best International Act: Africa Nominated
Dance Music Awards 2017 Gqom Queen Vol.1 Best Dance Female Artist Won
2017MTV EMA Herself Best African Act Nominated
All African Music Awards 2018 Herself Best Female Artiste in Southern Africa Nominated
South African Gqom Awards 2019 Ka Dazz Song Of The Year Nominated
Herself Best Female Won
Ka Dazz Best Music Video Nominated
Ka Dazz Best Music Video Director Nominated
27th South African Music Awards Idando Kazi Best Gqom Album Nominated

References

  1. ^ Maneta, Rofhiwa. "The oral history of Durban Kwaito Music". Redbull. Archived from the original on 13 November 2021. Retrieved 16 December 2023.
  2. ^ Kekana, Chrizelda (27 December 2018). "WATCH | There's only one Queen Of gqom & her name is Babes Wodumo!". Times Live. Archived from the original on 27 December 2018. Retrieved 16 December 2023.
  3. ^ Reporter, Citizen (26 May 2017). "You don't need English to be internationally recognised, says Babes Wodumo". Citizen. Archived from the original on 16 December 2023. Retrieved 16 December 2023.
  4. ^ World, Sunday (4 October 2017). "Nasty C and Babes Wodumo nominated for MTV EMA". Sowetan Live. Archived from the original on 16 December 2023. Retrieved 16 December 2023.
  5. ^ a b Weichenrieder, Philipp (19 April 2016). "Gqom-Musik aus Südafrika". Taz.de. Archived from the original on 20 April 2016. Retrieved 26 May 2021.
  6. ^ Krishnamurthy, Sowmya (20 February 2018). "Babes Wodumo on Her Appearance for 'Black Panther: The Album': 'I'm So Happy. It's Such a Privilege'". Billboard. Archived from the original on 6 August 2023. Retrieved 29 October 2023.
  7. ^ 2017 BET Awards Archived 4 January 2018 at the Wayback Machine Billboard
  8. ^ Shabangu, Nobantu (27 July 2021). "Listen to Babes Wodumo's Sophomore Album 'Idandokazi'". Okay Africa. Archived from the original on 3 August 2020. Retrieved 16 August 2023.
  9. ^ Live, Dispatch (7 September 2016). "Babes has her Bishop dad in her corner". Dispatch Live. Archived from the original on 16 December 2023. Retrieved 16 December 2023.
  10. ^ "Who is Babes Wodumo and what's a Wololo? | Channel". South Africa: Channel. Archived from the original on 29 October 2021. Retrieved 26 July 2016.
  11. ^ "Babes Wodumo - OkayAfrica - 100 Women". OkayAfrica. Retrieved 27 February 2018.
  12. ^ "Babes Wodumo's 1st album finally out – The Chronicle". The Chronicle. Archived from the original on 28 October 2021. Retrieved 26 November 2016.
  13. ^ a b Jabulani, John (19 September 2020). "Babes Wodumo Wins Big With First Album". Ubetoo. Archived from the original on 29 October 2021. Retrieved 12 October 2021.
  14. ^ Krishnamurthy, Sowmya (20 February 2018). "Babes Wodumo on her appearance for 'Black Panther: The Album': 'I'm so happy. It's such a privilege'". Billboard. Archived from the original on 20 January 2022. Retrieved 16 December 2023.
  15. ^ "Babes Wodumo opens up about her new album 'Idando Kazi' | The Citizen". The Citizen. 27 July 2020. Archived from the original on 21 May 2021. Retrieved 21 May 2021.
  16. ^ Ntsinde, Mandisa (24 July 2020). "Babes Wodumo Returns To Music With New Album Titled "Idando Kazi"". Zkhiphani. Archived from the original on 12 June 2021. Retrieved 12 June 2021.
  17. ^ Seemela, Masego (30 June 2021). "Uthando Lodumo': Babes Wodumo and Mampintsha's reality series a hit with viewers". Sowetan LIVE. Archived from the original on 15 August 2021. Retrieved 15 August 2021.
  18. ^ Mampintsha arrested for alleged assault of Babes Wodumo Archived 26 March 2019 at the Wayback Machine on iol.co.za
  19. ^ a b "Babes drops new album, fans unimpressed with Mampintsha feature". IOL South Africa. 24 July 2020. Archived from the original on 24 July 2020. Retrieved 24 July 2020.
  20. ^ "Inside Babes Wodumo and Mampintsha's traditional wedding". Kaya FM. 2020. Archived from the original on 19 October 2021. Retrieved 16 December 2023.
  21. ^ Morkel, Graye (17 June 2021). "Babes Wodumo and Mampintsha welcome first child: 'Our beautiful blessing'". News24. Archived from the original on 23 June 2023. Retrieved 16 December 2023.
  22. ^ Darangwa, Shingai (23 December 2022). "Mampintsha suffers a stroke, confirms Afrotainment. Family asks for privacy and prayers". IOL. Archived from the original on 23 December 2022. Retrieved 16 December 2023.
  23. ^ Mphande, Joy (1 May 2023). "Babes Wodumo opens up about the struggle to move on after Mampintsha's death". Times Live. Archived from the original on 1 May 2023. Retrieved 16 December 2023.
  24. ^ "West Ink apologises for Samas "outburst"". Archived from the original on 21 May 2021. Retrieved 21 May 2021.
  25. ^ "Gqom Queen, Vol. 1 Album by Babes Wodumo | MyMuze". My Muze. Archived from the original on 10 March 2021. Retrieved 25 July 2020.
source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Babes_Wodumo