Zakes Bantwini

South African singer, record producer and businessman From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Zakhele Madida (born 26 May 1981 in KwaMashu F-section, KwaZulu-Natal), known professionally as Zakes Bantwini, is a South African singer, record producer and businessman.[1][2]

Quick Facts Born, Nationality ...
Zakes Bantwini
Born
Zakhele Madida

(1981-05-26) 26 May 1981 (age 43)
NationalitySouth African
Occupations
  • Singer
  • songwriter
  • businessman
  • record producer
Years active2004–present
Spouse
(m. 2016)
Children2
Parents
  • Jeffrey Khanyile (father)
  • Nomthandazo Madida (mother)
Musical career
Genres
Instruments
  • Vocals, Piano, Bass Guitar
Labels
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Early life

Zakhele Madida was born and raised in KwaMashu F-section in the province of KwaZulu-Natal.[3] He went to Shayamoya Junior Primary School and later attended Nqabakazulu High School.[4] At the age of 14 years, he had his first child.[5] Despite facing the challenges of being a teenage father, he still went on to finishing his matric. After matriculating, he went on to study at Natal Technikon (now known as Durban University of Technology) where he received a national certificate in Light Music. This is also where he formed his own record label - called Mayonie Productions - while completing his final year.[6] Madida received a diploma in Jazz and Music Performance after completing his studies at the University of KwaZulu-Natal in Durban.[7] He also studied a Social Entrepreneurship Programme at Gordon Institute of Business Science, University of Pretoria.[8]

Career

Summarize
Perspective

2011–2016: The Fake Book and Real Book: My Music Bible

In April 2011, his single "Clap Your Hands" was released, featuring Xolani Sithole.

In 2013, Madida released his studio album The Fake Book and Real Book: My Music Bible. The following year, the album was nominated in the Best Dance Album Category at the 20th SAMA Awards.[9] On 23 June 2017, he released the album Love, Light & Music 2.[10]

In 2020, Bantwini remixed Lauv's single "Modern Loneliness".[11]

2021–present: Ghetto King and The Star Is Reborn

At a Kunye Event, his single "Osama" with Kasango was teased. The song was scheduled to be released on 17 September 2021.[12] On September 2, 2021, it was reported that the release date of "Osama" would be rescheduled to 10 September 2021.[13] The song peaked at number one on Radio Monitor Charts and spent 10 weeks on it.[14] In late 2021, he headlined to Miss South Africa 2021.[15]

In early December 2021, Zakes' third studio album Ghetto King was released worldwide.[16] The album was met with positive reviews from music critics.[17] It features Khetha, BlaQRhythm, DeeTheGeneral, Drega, Karyendasoul, Mthunzi, Nana Atta, Nomkhosi, Skillz, and Skye Wanda.

In early February 2022, Apple Music featured Zakes as their 'Isigubhu' cover star.[18]

The Star Is Reborn, Zakes fourth studio album, was released in December 2023. On The Star is Reborn, Bantwini worked with Karyendasoul, Drega, Masuda resulting in a genre-spanning record that incorporated electronic dance music styles and afro tech.

It was supported by the lead single "Mama Thula" featuring Skye Wanda, Thakzin, Drega, and Suffocate SA.

Business ventures

In 2004, he established Mayonie Productions, which is known for music such as "Bum Bum", "Wasting My Time" and "Clap Your Hands".[19][20]

Madida released his debut album The Good Life in 2008.[21] Two years later, he released the album Love, Light and Music, which included songs like "Clap Your Hands" and "Wasting My Time".[22]

L'vovo Derrango

In 2005, Madida helped launch the career of Kwaito artist Thokozani Ndlovu, who was later known by his stage name L'vovo Derrango. Under Mayonie Productions, Derrango released his debut album which was self-titled (Lvovo Derrango). The album gained him recognition as he was nominated at the SAMA Awards for the Best Kwaito Album. In 2007, he won the Best Kwaito and Song of the Year award at the MetroFM awards.[23][24]

Personal life

Madida has three children from previous relationships and two with his wife Nandi Madida (formerly Nandi Mngoma).[25][26][27]

Discography

Albums

More information Title, Album details ...
Title Album details
The Good Life
Love, Light and Music
  • Released: 2010
  • Label: Mayonie Productions X, Soulistic Music
  • Formats: Digital download
Mountain Deluxe Volume 4
  • Released: 2010
  • Label: Mayonie Productions
  • Formats: Digital download
The Fake Book and Real Book: My Music Bible
  • Released: 2013
  • Label: Mayonie Productions
  • Formats: Digital download
Love, Light and Music 2
  • Released: 2017
  • Label: Mayonie Productions
  • Formats: Digital download
Bossa Paris Nights
  • Released: 2018
  • Label: Mayonie Productions
  • Formats: Digital download
Ghetto King
  • Released: 3 December 2021
  • Label: Mayonie Productions, Paradise Sound System
  • Formats: Digital download, streaming
The Star Is Reborn
  • Released: 8 December 2023
  • Label: Mayonie Productions, Universal
  • Formats: Digital download, streaming
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Singles

More information Title, Year ...
List of singles, with selected chart positions and certifications, showing year released and album name
Title Year Peak chart positions Certifications Album
ZA
"Osama"
(with Kasango)
2021 1 Ghetto King
"Asanda"
(with Kususa and Argento Dust)
2022
  • RISA: Platinum
Ubomi
"Jeteme"
(with Kekelingo and Mpho.Wav)
2023 Pula
"Mama Thula"
(with Skye Wanda, Thakzin and Suffocate SA)
The Star Is Reborn
"Love Generation (Reimagined)" (Bob Sinclar, & Friends, Zakes Bantwini, Gary Pine) 2024 Non-album single
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.
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Other charted songs

More information Title, Year ...
List of other charted songs, with selected chart positions, showing year released and album name
Title Year Peak chart positions Album
ZA
"Girl in the Mirror" (featuring Skye Wanda) 2021 61[28] Ghetto King
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Awards and nominations

More information Year, Award Ceremony ...
Year Award Ceremony Prize Recipient/Nominated work Result Ref.
2010 16th South African Music Awards Best Music Video of the Year Juju (featuring Black Coffee) Nominated
2011 17th South African Music Awards Record of the Year Bum Bum Nominated
Album of the Year Love, Light and Music Nominated
Male Artist of the Year Nominated
Metro FM Awards Best Male Award Won
Chanel O Awards Video of the Year "Wasting My Time" Won [29]
2022 DStv Mzansi Viewers' Choice Awards Favourite music artist/group Himself Nominated [30]
Favourite Song "Osama" Nominated
2022 South African Music Awards Best Dance Album Ghetto King Nominated [31][32]
Album of the Year Nominated
Best Engineered Album of the Year Nominated
Male Artist of the Year Nominated
Best Collaboration "Osama" Won
"Imali" (Karyendasoul & Zakes Bantwini featuring Nana Atta) Nominated
SAMRO Highest Airplay Composers "Osama" Won
2022 Mzansi Kwaito House Music Awards Best House Artist Pending [33]
Best House Single Pending
Most Voted Song "Osama" Pending
Best Music Video Pending
2022 All Africa Music Awards Best Artist, Duo or Group in African Electro Himself Nominated [34]
Best African DJ Nominated
Artist of the Year Nominated
2022 Grammy Awards Best Global Performance "Bayethe" (Nomcebo Zikode, Wouter Kellerman, and Zakes Bantwini) Won [35]
2023 Metro FM Awards Best House Song "Asanda" (Kususa, Argento Dust & Zakes Bantwini) Nominated
SAMA International Achievement Himself Won
2024 GQ Best Dressed Awards Best Dressed Couple Himself Won [36]
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References

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