Simmy

Simphiwe Majobe Nhlangulela, better known by her stage name Simmy, is a South African singer-songwriter.[3]

For other uses, see Simmy (disambiguation).

Simmy
Birth nameSimphiwe Majobe Nhlangulela
Also known asSimmy
Born (1994-07-09) July 9, 1994
Tugela, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
GenresAfro-House,[1] neo-soul,[2] neo-folk
Occupation(s)
  • Singer
  • songwriter
Instrument(s)Vocals
Years active2017–present
Labels
  • El World Music

She gained prominence in 2018, after signed a record deal with EL World Music and release her debut album Tugela Fairy (2018), spawned with hit singles "Ngiyesaba", "Ubala", "Umahlalela". The album was certified gold by the Recording industry of South Africa.

Her second studio album Tugela fairy (Made of Stars) (2020), which debuted number 3 in one country.

Life and career

Early life and education

Simphiwe Majobe Nhlangulela was born in South Africa, as the youngest of four children.[4] In an interview with Emmanuel Tjiya Sowetan newspaper, Simmy revealed that she was raised by strict parents growing up. She is an alumna of University of KwaZulu-Natal, where she studied Social Sciences.[4]

In 2013, while she was attending at University of KwaZulu-Natal, Nhlangulela met Sandile Sithole who introduced her to Sun-El Musician.[5] After she completed her degree in Social Science, Simmy relocated to Johannesburg in 2016 to pursue her musical career.

Music career

“I discovered my voice back in primary school, but didn't take it seriously because I didn't think people would be in love with Simmy’s voice. But as time went on, I realised I could do it professionally.”[6]

Mpiletso Motumi, Independent Online

Simmy started her career by auditioning for SA Idols and SA Has Got Talent but was unsuccessful.[7]

2017-2019:Tugela Fairy

Her professional music career started in 2017 by signing to El World Music after completing her studies which was followed by the release of her debut studio album Tugela Fairy, which was featured in Apple Music artist Spotlight.[8][9] In February 22, her single "Ubala" was released featuring Sun-El Musician.[10] The song was certified gold. The album was released on October 26, 2018, and was certified gold by the Recording industry of South Africa (RiSA) for South Africa 25 000 sales.[11][12] Her single "Umahlalela" was certified platinum plaque.[12] At the 25th South African Music Awards, Tugela Fairy was nominated for Best Afro Pop Album.

At the 2019 South African Dance Music Awards, she won Best Female Vocalist award.[13]

2020-present:Tugela Fairy (Made of Stars)

Simmy announced work on her second studio album prior to the release of Tugela Fairy, with progress on the record continuing throughout 2020. In March 2020, she released a single "Ngihamba Nawe" fused with the classic Afro-House/neo-soul featuring vocals from Sino Msolo.[14][15][16] In October 2020, Simmy headlined to Rose Fest.[17]

On November 9, 2020, her second studio album Tugela Fairy (Made of Stars) was released, which debuted number 3 on Apple Music Charts.[18][19] The album features Mthunzi, S-Tone, Da Capo, Sun-El Musician, Sino Msolo, Ami Faku, and Khuzani. Tugela Fairy (Made of Stars) received nomination for Best Afro Pop album at the 27th South African Music Awards.[20]

To promote her album Simmy launched Tugela Fairy (Made of Stars) Special Virtual Concert.

She was featured on Shay’na nge White Star campaign, which includes two dates, in May 2022.[21] The first show was held at Johannesburg on 12 May, and last one in Durban on 21 May.[21]

Artistry

Growing up in Tugela, she mainly listened to Mbaqanga, country music and Maskandi. Simmy music is generally Afro-house and Neo-Soul but she also incorporates Maskandi and RnB to her other songs. She has cited a number of artists as her inspiration Dolly Parton, Soul Brothers, Letta Mbuli, and Brenda Fassie.[22]

Personal life

Simmy is known to keeping her personal life private.[23]

Discography

Studio albums

Single discography

As lead artist
List of singles as lead artist, with selected chart positions and certifications, showing year released and album name
Title Year Peak chart positions Certifications Album
ZA
"Umahlalela" 2018 Platinum[12] Tugela Fairy
"Ngihamba nawe" featuring Sino Msolo 2020 Tugela Fairy (Made of Stars)
"Emakhaya" featuring Sun-El Musician and Da Capo Platinum
"Hlelo" featuring Msaki 2022 non-single album
List of singles as lead artist, with selected chart positions and certifications, showing year released and album name
Title Year Peak chart positions Certifications Album
ZA
"Ziyon" (Kenza and Claudio featuring Simmy) 2020 Circles of Life
"Mamezale" (Mafikizolo featuring Sun-El Musician, Simmy and Kenza) 2021 Idwala
"Higher" (Sun-El Musician featuring Simmy) 2021 African Electronic Dance Music
"Before" (Mdoovar featuring Simmy) 2023 Isithembiso

Awards and nominations
Year Award Ceremony Prize Result Ref.
2019 25th SAMA Newcomer of the Year Nominated [26]
Best Afro Pop Album Nominated [27]
Record of the Year (Sun-El Musician featuring Simmy and Lelo Kamau - Sonini) Won [28]
South African Dance Music Awards Best Female Vocalist Won
2020 KZN Entertainment Awards Best Female Artist Nominated [29]
2021 27th SAMA Best Afro pop Album Nominated [30]
Record of the Year Nominated
2022 Basadi in Music Awards Artist of the Year Nominated [31]
Sofn'Free Dance Artist of the Year Nominated
2022 AFRIMA Best Female Artiste in Southern Africa ("We Were Here") Nominated [32]
2023 Metro FM Awards Female Artist of the Year Pending
Basadi in Music Awards Dance Artist of the Year ("Hlelo" featuring Msaki) Pending [33][34]

References
  1. "5 minutes with Afro-House singer and songwriter Simmy | Truelove". News24.com. April 12, 2019. Archived from the original on October 17, 2023. Retrieved November 19, 2021.
  2. Beth Wahinya (May 6, 2020). "Simmy, a South African songbird has become a household name since 2014". Briefly.co.za. Archived from the original on October 17, 2023. Retrieved November 19, 2021.
  3. "Simmy". Music In Africa. September 4, 2018. Archived from the original on October 22, 2020. Retrieved August 30, 2020.
  4. Emmanuel, Tjiya (December 14, 2018). "Songbird Simmy a fusion sensation". Sowetanlive.co.za. Archived from the original on October 1, 2020. Retrieved August 30, 2020.
  5. "Simmy On How She Met Sun-EL & Why She Fuses Music Genres - SA Music Magazine". SA Music Magazine. Retrieved April 22, 2022.
  6. "Simmy to light up the stage at VIVOnation festival". Iol.co.za. Archived from the original on November 27, 2021. Retrieved November 27, 2021.
  7. Mathebula, Kwanele (November 28, 2019). "5 minutes with musician Simmy". Bona Magazine. Archived from the original on October 24, 2020. Retrieved August 30, 2020.
  8. "Songbird Simmy a fusion sensation". Sowetanlive.co.za. Archived from the original on June 18, 2022. Retrieved November 27, 2021.
  9. "Top 10 Most streamed South African female artists on Apple Music". Yomzansi.com. Archived from the original on July 24, 2021. Retrieved November 19, 2021.
  10. "DOWNLOAD mp3: Simmy - Ubala ft. Sun-EL Musician". Fakaza.com. February 22, 2018. Archived from the original on August 21, 2021. Retrieved November 19, 2021.
  11. Ngenyane, Ansiswa (August 23, 2021). "Simmy's debut album goes gold!". Daily Sun. Archived from the original on January 13, 2022. Retrieved January 13, 2021.
  12. "Simmy Receives Plaque Celebrating Her Platinum And Gold Success On Kaya 959 Top 30 With DJ Keyez". Ubetoo.com. August 21, 2021. Archived from the original on August 21, 2021. Retrieved August 21, 2021.
  13. Shumba, Ano (October 4, 2019). "Dance Music Awards South Africa 2019: All the winners | Music In Africa". Musicinafrica.net. Archived from the original on September 16, 2021. Retrieved September 16, 2021.
  14. Samanga, Rufaro. "Listen to Simmy's New Single 'Ngihamba Nawe' - OkayAfrica". Okayafrica.com. Archived from the original on March 31, 2020. Retrieved March 27, 2020.
  15. "Simmy Drops New Single 'Emakhaya' Ahead of Highly-Anticipated Sophomore Album". Okayafrica.com. October 16, 2020. Archived from the original on October 17, 2023. Retrieved November 19, 2021.
  16. "Simmy Shines With Her New Single "Ngihamba Nawe"". Yuledark.co.za. March 27, 2020. Archived from the original on September 15, 2023. Retrieved November 19, 2021.
  17. "Ami Faku, Boity, Busiswa & Simmy Headline Rose Fest 2020". Zalebs.com. October 12, 2020. Archived from the original on August 8, 2022. Retrieved October 11, 2021.
  18. Miya, Madzadza (November 9, 2020). "Listen to Simmy's New Album 'Tugela Fairy (Made of Stars)' - OkayAfrica". OkayAfrica. Archived from the original on July 14, 2021. Retrieved July 14, 2021.
  19. de Wee, Naledi (August 3, 2021). "Meet Mzansi's three most-streamed female artists on Apple Music [watch]". The South African. Archived from the original on April 2, 2022. Retrieved April 2, 2022.
  20. Dayile, Qhama (July 31, 2021). "Here's the full list of the SAMA winners | Drum". News24.com. South Africa. Archived from the original on October 26, 2021. Retrieved October 30, 2021.
  21. Shumba, Ano (May 16, 2022). "SA: Shay'na nge White Star back for season three | Music In Africa". Music In Africa. Archived from the original on May 17, 2022. Retrieved May 17, 2022.
  22. Tjiya, Emmanuel. "Songbird Simmy a fusion sensation". Sowetanlive.co.za. Archived from the original on November 6, 2020. Retrieved December 14, 2018.
  23. "Simmy Biography, Real Name, Age, Boyfriend, Music, Net Worth". Savanna News. July 29, 2020. Archived from the original on September 15, 2023. Retrieved August 30, 2020.
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  29. Bukola (December 17, 2020). "See all the winners from the first KZN Entertainment Awards". Fakaza News. Archived from the original on May 5, 2021. Retrieved May 5, 2021.
  30. Shumba, Ano (May 19, 2021). "South African Music Awards 2021: All the nominees". Music In Africa. Archived from the original on October 14, 2023. Retrieved May 20, 2021.
  31. Shumba, Ano (July 6, 2022). "Basadi in Music Awards 2022: All the nominees". Music in Africa. Archived from the original on October 3, 2022. Retrieved July 7, 2022.
  32. Hansen, Gabriel Myers (September 16, 2022). "All Africa Music Awards 2022: All the nominees". Music in Africa. Archived from the original on October 5, 2022. Retrieved October 11, 2022.
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