Mr Thela Explained

Background:person
Mr Thela
Birth Name:Simphiwe Sihawu
Birth Place:Gugulethu, Western Cape, South Africa
Instrument:keyboard, synthesizer
Years Active:2016–present
Label:Universal Music Group
Past Member Of:Mshayi & Mr Thela

Simphiwe Sihawu (born 2000) better known as Mr Thela, is a South African DJ and music producer. Born in Gugulethu and raised in Samora Machel, Philippi, his professional musical career began in 2016 at the age of 16.[1] Aside from his solo career, Sihawu was a member of Mshayi & Mr Thela duo.[2]

Their debut studio album Make Cape Town Great Again (2020), became their best-selling album, certified Platinum by the Recording Industry of South Africa (RiSA).[3]

His second studio album Tronics Land Series 2, was released on 17 November 2023.[4] The album debuted No. 3 on Apple Music and No. 5 on Spotify South Africa Charts respectively.[5] [6]

In February 2024, Mr Thela signed a recording deal with Universal Music Group.[7]

Artistry

Mr Thela's musical styles encompass gqom, sgubhu and a genre of his own creation alongside Mshayi,gospel gqom (Cape Town gqom).[8]

Discography

Mshayi & Mr Thela

Solo albums

Achievements

Metro FM Music Awards

! |-|2024|"Hello"|Best Kwaito/Gqom||[9] [10]

South African Music Awards

! |-|2021|Make Cape Town Great Again|Best Gqom Album||

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Cape DJ and producer Mr Thela jetting off to the UK as his music travels across the globe. Khanyisa. Cebo. 2023-07-14. Independent Online. 2024-07-02. 2023-10-31. https://web.archive.org/web/20231031135525/https://www.iol.co.za/weekend-argus/lifestyle/cape-dj-and-producer-mr-thela-jetting-off-to-the-uk-as-his-music-travels-across-the-globe-01e63517-d83b-45c1-8262-0242c1f4a870. live.
  2. Web site: Interview: Mshayi & Mr Thela Are Reviving Cape Town’s Gqom Scene With Their Unique Take on the Genre - Okayplayer . 2024-07-11 . OkayAfrica . en . 2023-12-09 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231209213805/https://www.okayafrica.com/mshayi-mr-thela-make-cape-town-great-again-gqom-interview/ . live .
  3. Web site: MAKE CAPE TOWN GREAT AGAIN by MSHAYI & MR THELA sales and awards. 2024-07-02. Best Selling Albums. 2024-07-02. https://web.archive.org/web/20240702001501/https://bestsellingalbums.org/album/58810. live.
  4. News: Mr Thela returns home and releases an album, Tronics Land Series 2. 26 November 2023. Janice. Phiri. City Press. subscription. South Africa . en-ZA. 2024-07-02.
  5. Web site: Mr Thela's Tronics Land Series 2 receives over 4 million streams across digital platforms in less than a month and without a music video . 2023-12-13. Trace TV. 2024-07-02.
  6. Web site: Mr Thela's Tronics Land Series 2 receives over 4m streams across digital platforms. Biz Community. 2024-07-02. 2023-12-13.
  7. Web site: Independent Online. Cape Town DJ Mr Thela's moving up as he inks a deal with Universal Music Group. 2024-07-02. 2024-02-14.
  8. Web site: 2023-03-27 . These are the most exciting gqom producers right now . 2024-07-16 . DJ Mag . en.
  9. Web site: Mr Thela goes Gold, scoops Metro FM Award and secures partnership with SKYY Vodka. 2024-07-02. Independent Online. 2024-03-22.
  10. Web site: Daily Voice. Unbeatable: Kaapse Mr Thela wins maiden gong at Metro FM Music Awards for Best Kwaito/Gqom song. Marsha. Dean. 2024-04-29.