Lwah Ndlunkulu Explained

Background:person
Lwah Ndlunkulu
Birth Name:Lwandile Mtshali
Birth Place:Hluhluwe, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
Genre:Afro-Pop
Instrument:Vocals
Years Active:2021–present
Label:Nkabi Records

Lwandile Mtshali, professionally known as Lwah Ndlunkulu or Lwah The Ndlunkulu is a South African singer and songwriter. Born and raised Hluhluwe, KwaZulu-Natal, having signed a record deal with Nkabi Records released her debut single "Ithuba", which became her first biggest song and certified Platinum by the Recording Industry of South Africa (RiSA).[1]

Career

Lwandile Mtshali was born and raised Hluhluwe, she relocated to Johannesburg, Gauteng[2] to her mother's house while she was studying Grade 11 in 2020.[3] She got a job at Hillbrow Radio Station as a radio presenter prior working at a club situated at Maboneng.[4] While she was working at the club she met music producer Celza and invited her to visit Nkabi Records prior signing a record deal. Lwah signed a record deal and made her debut on Big Zulu's single "Umuzi eSandton" which appeared on Ichwane Lenyoka. The song reached number 1 in South Africa.[5] "Home" featuring Sjava was released 2021.

Lwah apperead on a joint album of Nkabi Records Inkabi Nation alongside Xowla, Siya Ntuli, Big Zulu and Mduduzi released 2022.

Lwah gained global prominence after her breakthrough debut single "Ithuba" featuring Siya Ntuli was released August 2022. The song was certified platinum by the Recording Industry of South Africa (RiSA).[6]

"Ngiyeza" was released on January 20, 2023. It reached number #2, #4, #5, #9 iTune Charts, Shazam, Apple Music and Spotify respectively within the first week of release. It reached Platinum by Recording Industry of South Africa.[7] [8]

Lwah leads the nominees with 4 nominations for Song of the Year, Afro Pop Artist of the Year, Artist of the Year at 2023 Basadi in Music Awards.[9]

Ndlunkulu announced her debut studio album Imizwa, on November 13, 2023. The album was released on November 24.

Upon its release it debuted number one on Spotify's Top Albums Charts, and ammassed two million streams on Spotify, 10 days after its release. [10] [11]

Singles

As lead artist

List of singles as lead artist, with selected chart positions and certifications, showing year released and album name
TitleYearPeak chart positionsCertificationsAlbum
ZA
"Home" (featuring Sjava) 2021
"Ithuba" (featuring Siya Ntuli) 2022 RiSA: Platinum Imizwa
"Ngiyeza" 20231RiSA: Platinum
"Eyami"
"Ngikhathazekile" (Bongo Beats, Lwah Ndlunkulu, Khethi)
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.

As featured artist

List of singles as featured artist, with selected chart positions and certifications, showing year released and album name
TitleYearPeak chart positionsCertificationsAlbum
ZA
"Paris" (Mthandeni Sk featuring Lwah Ndlunkulu)2023RiSA: Platinum[12] [13]
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.

Discography

Studio albums

Guest appearances

TitleYearOther artist(s)Album
"Mushonga" 2023 Mbofholowo
"Cela Skhulume" DJ TiraMalume Way
"Ntombo"2024Zulu Romance

Achievements

Basadi in Music Awards

! |-|rowspan =4|2023 |"Ithuba" featuring Siya Ntuli|Song of the Year | |rowspan=4|[14] |-|rowspan =2|Herself |Afro Pop Artist of the Year | |-|Artist of the Year| |-|"Ngiyeza" |Music Video of the Year | |-|rowspan =5|2024|Herself|Artist of the Year | |rowspan =4|[15] |-|rowspan=2|"Eyami"|Afro Pop Artist of the Year ||-|Song of the Year | |-|"Ngiyathandaza" |Music Video of the Year | |-|"Ngiyeza" |Capasso Most Streamed Song||

Metro FM Awards

! |-|rowspan=3|2024|rowspan=2|Herself |Artist of the Year | |rowspan=3||-|Best Female | |-|Imizwa |Best African Pop|

South African Hip Hop Awards

! |-|rowspan=2|2021|rowspan=2|"Umuzi eSandton" |Song of the Year||rowspan=2|[16] |-|Best Collabo|

South African Music Awards

! |-|rowspan=2|2024 |"Paris" | Motsepe Foundation Record of the Year ||rowspan=2|[17] |-|"Ngiyeza"|RAV Music Video of the Year|

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Lwah's grateful for the chances she has been given! . September 5, 2022. Andiswa. Ngenyane.
  2. Web site: Lwa Ndlunkulu: From homelessness to chart-topping success in Johannesburg . The South African . Dumani. Moyo. 2024-03-08. 2024-03-09.
  3. Web site: May 4, 2023 . LISTEN Lwah Ndlunkulu opens up about family, risking it all for music and Inkabi Records. TshisaLIVE . Constance. Gaanakgomo .
  4. Web site: 28 April 2023. LISTEN Lwah Ndlunkulu chats about music & being the first lady of Inkabi Records. TshisaLIVE. Constance. Gaanakgomo.
  5. Web site: Halala: Big Zulu's new single 'Umuzi eSandton' tops 2 local charts in one week . 16 July 2021 .
  6. https://slikouronlife.co.za/lwah-ndlunkulus-ithuba-and-ngiyeza-reach-platinum-status Ithuba and Ngiyeza reach platinum status
  7. Web site: Nkabi Records shines as Lwah Ndlunkulu reaches platinum milestone with 2 songs . 7 August 2023 .
  8. Web site: 'I am living my dream it's overwhelming' — Lwah Ndlunkulu goes platinum .
  9. News: News24. 2023-07-20. Lwah Ndlunkulu leads nominees list for second Basadi in Music Awards. 30 June 2023. Keitumetse. Maako.
  10. News: Lwah Ndlunkulu’s album achieves 2 million streams in 10 days Network News. South Africa . Network News. 2024-02-07.
  11. Web site: Lwah Ndlunkulu’s album achieves 2 million streams in 10 days Bona Magazine. Bona Magazine . 2024-02-07. Silindokuhle. Booi.
  12. Web site: Certifications 2023. www.risa.org.za.
  13. Web site: Mthandeni and Lwah's 10 million celebration! Daily Sun . SNL24. Jabulani. Langa. subscription. 2023-12-10. 2023-12-11.
  14. Web site: Lwah's hard work pays off as she grabs top awards .
  15. Web site: Basadi in Music Awards 2024: All the nominees . Ano. Shumba. 2024-06-28. Music in Africa . 2024-06-27.
  16. Web site: SA Hip Hop Awards 2021: All The Winners . nydjlive.com . 2024-07-01.
  17. Web site: #SAMA30 unveils nominees for the Motsepe Foundation Record of the Year and RiSA Audio Visual (RAV) Music Video of the Year Awards. South African Music Awards. 2024-08-14 . 2024-08-15.