Sun-El Musician

Sanele Tresure Sithole (born 28 March 1989),[3] known professionally as Sun-El Musician, is a South African disc jockey, music producer, and songwriter.[3][4] Born and raised in Mooi River. He attended University of KwaZulu-Natal but dropped out to pursue a career in music. His debut studio album Africa to the World (2018), which was certified Platinum by the Recording Industry of South Africa (RiSA).[5]

Sun-El Musician
Born
Sanele Tresure Sithole[1]

(1989-03-28) 28 March 1989
Mooi River, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
EducationUniversity of KwaZulu-Natal (dropped out)
Musical career
Occupation(s)
  • DJ
  • songwriter
  • music producer
Instrument(s)
Years active2011–present
Labels
  • EL World Music
Demor Music (PTY)LTD (former)

He was a producer for Demor Music before the establishment of his own record label EL World Music.[1] His most recent album African Electronic Dance Music was released in October 2021.

Life and career

Early life and education

Sanele Tresure Sithole was born on 28 March 1989 in the town of Mooi River, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, and raised along with his four siblings by a domestic worker mother.[6][7] He attended the University of KwaZulu-Natal but dropped out in 2007.

Career

Shortly after he left school Sithole spent two years at home and began his musical career in 2007 remixing songs and creating mixtapes.[8] Sithole meet Thandukwazi Demor Sikhosana who signed him under his record label Demor Music (Pty) Ltd, worked as music producer for a period of 5 years.[6] During that period he worked in the studio with Bucie from 2011-2014,[9][10] and he produced three albums for Demor.

2015-2019: EL World Music, Africa to the World
Main article: Africa to the World

In early 2017 he established EL World Music.[11][12]

Sithole then began to create his own music under the name Sun-El Musician. His debut single "Akanamali" featuring Samthing Soweto was released on May 21, 2017. It became his first biggest song reached no.1 on Shazam and certified Platinum in South Africa.[13][14]

"Bamthathile" featuring Mlindo the Vocalist was released on February 23, 2018, as album's second single.[15]

His debut studio album Africa to the World, was released on April 20, 2018.[16][17] The album reached Platinum in South Africa.

The singles "Sonini", "Bamthathile", and "Ntab'Ezikude" all received 2× Platinum certifications from the Recording Industry of South Africa (RiSA)[18] In June 2018, his single "Akanamali" earned him three awards at the 24th South African Music Awards, including Best Collaboration, Highest Airplay Song and Highest Airplay Composer.[19] Africa to the World was also nominated at the 25th South African Music Awards in June 2019.[20]

Sithole made collaboration with Ami Faku on a single "Into Ingawe", released on June 7,2019. The song was certified 3× Platinum by RiSA.[21][22][23]

Also in 2019, Sithole embarked on an extensive tour of South Africa.[24]

2020-2021: To the World & Beyond
Main article: To the World & Beyond

In April 2020, Sithole released album's lead single "Uhuru" with South African singer Azana.[25][26]

Following month May 2020, his second single "Ubomi Abumanga" featuring Msaki was released.[27] It was certified 2× Platinum by Recording Industry of South Africa.

His second studio album To the World & Beyond was released in December 4, 2020.[28][23] The album reached Platinum in South Africa.

A live recording titled Kunye Live Mix was released in August 2021.[29] His third studio album African Electronic Dance Music was released on 29 October 2021 in South Africa.[30] The previous day, Sithole headlined the Basha Uhuru Creative Uprising Festival alongside Langa Mavuso.[31]

In December 2021, Sithole was chosen by Gallo Records to work on classic songs remix on the Extended Play titled Music is Forever along with Nobuhle, Muzi, and other artists.[32][33]

2022-present: AEDM: Interstellar

In May 21, he headlined to Bassline I AM LIVE concert.[34]

Towards the end of May 2022, he headlined to MTN Bushfire Festival, held at Malkerns Valley, from May 27-29.[35][36]

Sithole announced his upcoming project AEDM: Interstellar (pronounced African Electronic Dance Music: Interstellar) on December 8, 2022 set to be released on 2023 released double single "Makwane" with Fk Mash, Ami Faku, "Rata" with TNS and Skillz.[37] Both singles were released on December 9, 2022.

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
"Akanamali" (featuring Samthing Soweto) 2017 1 RiSA: Platinum Africa to the World
"Ntab'Ezikude" (featuring Simmy) 2018 RiSA: 2× platinum[18]
"Bamthathile" (featuring Mlindo the Vocalist) RiSA: 2× Platinum
"Sonini" (featuring Simmy and Lelo Kamau) RiSA:2× Platinum [18]
"Bomi Abumanga" (featuring Msaki) 2020 RiSA: 2× Platinum To the World & Beyond
"Garden" (featuring Julia Church) —
"Uhuru" (featuring Azana)
"Never Never" (featuring Nobuhle) RiSA: Gold[38]
"Into Ingawe" (featuring Ami Faku) RiSA: 3× platinum[22] Non-album single
"Higher" (featuring Simmy) 2021 6 African Electronic Dance Music
"Amateki" (featuring Bholoja)
"Woza" (featuring Linos Rosetta)
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.

Albums
List of albums, with selected details, sales figures and certifications
Title Album details Certifications
Africa to the World[39]
To the World & Beyond[28] RiSA: Platinum
African Electronic Dance Music

EPs
List of EPs, with selected details, sales figures and certifications
Title Album details Certifications
AEDM: Interstellar

    Production and songwriting credits
    List of production and songwriting credits, showing original artists, year released and album name
    Title Year Artist(s) Album Credit(s) Written with: Produced with:
    "Ngiyesaba" 2018 Simmy Tugela Fairy Producer Simmy
    "Wawundithembisile" 2021 The One Who Sings Non-album single Zolani Mahola Kenza (SA)
    "Light House" TRESOR Motion Co-producer TRESOR
    Da Capo
    "Ezangakini" 2022 Professor featuring Shwi, and Sun-El Musician[43] Non-album single Producer Mkhonzeni Langa, Mandla Xaba, Zwelenduna Magubane, and Khethonjani Dludla Mpho.Wav and Tebogo Mbolekwa
    "Indlela" 2023 Drega, Sun-El Musician and Maline Aura Non-album single Producer Bonga Ntozini, Sanele Sithole and Thandolwethu Nkomo Drega

    Tours
    • EL World Music Experience (2019)[24]

    Awards and nominations
    Year Award Ceremony Prize Result Ref.
    2018 24th South African Music Awards Collaboration Won [19][44]
    Highest Airplay Song Won [45][46]
    Highest Airplay Composer Won [47]
    2019 25th South African Music Awards Record of the Year (Sun-El Musician featuring Simmy and Lelo Kamau – Sonini) Won [48][49]

    [50]

    Newcomer of the Year Nominated
    Best Dance Album Nominated
    2020 KZN Entertainment Awards Best Club DJ Male Nominated [51]
    Best Producer Nominated
    2021 SAMAs 27 Best Dance Album Nominated [52][53]
    Male Artist of the Year Nominated
    Best Produced Album of the Year Nominated
    Remix of the Year Nominated
    Best Live Audio of the Year Won
    M K H M A Best DJ Nominated
    2021 All Africa Music Awards Best Male Artist in Southern Africa Nominated [54]
    2022 SAMA 28 Album of the Year Nominated [55]
    Best Dance Album Nominated
    Male Artist of the Year Nominated
    Remix of the Year Won [56]

    References
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    3. Makena, K. (12 May 2020). "Sun El Musician bio: age, real name, girlfriend, family, songs, album, awards". Briefly. Retrieved 20 November 2020.
    4. Musician, Sun El. "Sun El Musician mixes for GeeGo". www.geego.co.za. Archived from the original on 1 November 2020. Retrieved 20 November 2020.
    5. Lefevre, Zachary (15 March 2021). "Sun-EL Musician is Bringing Africa to the World - EDM Identity". EDM Identity. Retrieved 9 December 2021.
    6. Dayile, Qhama. "Singer Sun-El Musician going from broke to hugely successful". Drum. Retrieved 20 November 2020.
    7. "10 Things You Do Not Know About Sun-EL Musician". SA Music Magazine. 30 January 2018. Retrieved 20 November 2020.
    8. De Paul, David (22 February 2022). "Revealed: How Sun-EL Musician sacrificed an Engineering career to become a musician". Savannanews.com. Retrieved 3 March 2022.
    9. "THE SUN'S EL". Deep HouseLove Affair. Archived from the original on 8 October 2021. Retrieved 8 October 2021.
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