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Lwah Ndlunkulu

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Lwah Ndlunkulu
Birth nameLwandile Mtshali
BornHluhluwe, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
GenresAfro-Pop
Occupations
  • singer
  • songwriter
InstrumentVocals
Years active2021–present
LabelsNkabi 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

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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

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As lead artist

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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
"Home" (featuring Sjava) 2021 Non-album single
"Ithuba" (featuring Siya Ntuli) 2022 RiSA: Platinum Imizwa
"Ngiyeza" 2023 1 RiSA: Platinum
"Eyami"
"Ngikhathazekile" (Bongo Beats, Lwah Ndlunkulu, Khethi) Non-album single
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.
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List of singles as featured artist, with selected chart positions and certifications, showing year released and album name
Title Year Peak chart positions Certifications Album
ZA
"Paris" (Mthandeni Sk featuring Lwah Ndlunkulu) 2023 RiSA: Multi-Platinum[12][13] Non-album single
"Umsindo we Nhliziyo" (Xowla featuring Lwah Ndlunkulu) 2024 Non-album single
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.

Discography

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Studio albums

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Guest appearances

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Title Year Other artist(s) Album
"Mushonga" 2023 Makhadzi Mbofholowo
"Cela Skhulume" DJ Tira Malume Way
"Ntombo" 2024 Blaq Diamond Zulu Romance

Achievements

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Basadi in Music Awards

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Year Nominee / work Award Result Ref.
2023 "Ithuba" featuring Siya Ntuli Song of the Year Won [14]
Herself Afro Pop Artist of the Year Nominated
Artist of the Year Won
"Ngiyeza" Music Video of the Year Nominated
2024 Herself Artist of the Year Won [15]
"Eyami" Afro Pop Artist of the Year Nominated
Song of the Year Nominated
"Ngiyathandaza" Music Video of the Year Nominated
"Ngiyeza" Capasso Most Streamed Song Won

Metro FM Awards

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Year Nominee / work Award Result Ref.
2024 Herself Artist of the Year Won
Best Female Nominated
Imizwa Best African Pop Nominated

South African Hip Hop Awards

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Year Nominee / work Award Result Ref.
2021 "Umuzi eSandton" Song of the Year Nominated [16]
Best Collabo Nominated

South African Music Awards

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Year Nominee / work Award Result Ref.
2024 "Paris" Motsepe Foundation Record of the Year Pending [17]
"Ngiyeza" RAV Music Video of the Year Pending
Imizwa Newcomer of the Year Pending [18]
Female Artist of the Year Pending
Best Afro Pop Album Pending

References

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  1. ^ Ngenyane, Andiswa (September 5, 2022). "Lwah's grateful for the chances she has been given!".
  2. ^ Moyo, Dumani (March 8, 2024). "Lwa Ndlunkulu: From homelessness to chart-topping success in Johannesburg". The South African. Retrieved March 9, 2024.
  3. ^ Gaanakgomo, Constance (May 4, 2023). "LISTEN | Lwah Ndlunkulu opens up about family, risking it all for music and Inkabi Records". TshisaLIVE.
  4. ^ Gaanakgomo, Constance (April 28, 2023). "LISTEN | Lwah Ndlunkulu chats about music & being the first lady of Inkabi Records". TshisaLIVE.
  5. ^ "Halala: Big Zulu's new single 'Umuzi eSandton' tops 2 local charts in one week". July 16, 2021.
  6. ^ Ithuba and Ngiyeza reach platinum status slikouronlife.co.za [dead link]
  7. ^ "Nkabi Records shines as Lwah Ndlunkulu reaches platinum milestone with 2 songs". August 7, 2023.
  8. ^ "'I am living my dream it's overwhelming' — Lwah Ndlunkulu goes platinum".
  9. ^ Maako, Keitumetse (June 30, 2023). "Lwah Ndlunkulu leads nominees list for second Basadi in Music Awards". News24. Retrieved July 20, 2023.
  10. ^ "Lwah Ndlunkulu's album achieves 2 million streams in 10 days | Network News". South Africa: Network News. Retrieved February 7, 2024.
  11. ^ Booi, Silindokuhle. "Lwah Ndlunkulu's album achieves 2 million streams in 10 days | Bona Magazine". Bona Magazine. Retrieved February 7, 2024.
  12. ^ "Certifications 2024". Recording Industry of South Africa. Retrieved September 4, 2024.
  13. ^ Langa, Jabulani (December 10, 2023). "Mthandeni and Lwah's 10 million celebration! | Daily Sun". SNL24. Retrieved December 11, 2023.
  14. ^ "Lwah's hard work pays off as she grabs top awards".
  15. ^ Shumba, Ano (June 27, 2024). "Basadi in Music Awards 2024: All the nominees". Music in Africa. Retrieved June 28, 2024.
  16. ^ "SA Hip Hop Awards 2021: All The Winners". nydjlive.com. Retrieved July 1, 2024.
  17. ^ "#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. August 14, 2024. Retrieved August 15, 2024.
  18. ^ "Sensational Tyla leads the pack with five SAMA30 nominations". Sunday World. September 26, 2024. Retrieved September 26, 2024.