Sun-El Musician

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Sun-El Musician
Born
Sanele Tresure Sithole[1]

(1989-03-28) 28 March 1989 (age 35)
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)

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 the University of KwaZulu-Natal but dropped out to pursue a career in music. His debut studio album Africa to the World (2018), was certified Platinum by the Recording Industry of South Africa (RiSA).[5]

Sun-El's second album, To the World & Beyond (2020), was met with further commercial success, certified Platinum by Recording Industry of South Africa (RiSA).

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[edit]

Early life and education[edit]

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[edit]

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 met 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[edit]

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, African Electronic Dance Music[edit]

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.

"Emoyeni", a single by Sun-El Musician, Khuzani, Simmy was released in July 2020, in celebration of Ukhozi FM 60th Anniversary.

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

African Electronic Dance Music was released on 29 October 2021 in South Africa.[29] On African Electronic Dance Music, Sun-El experimented electronic dance music style incorporated with elements of afro house.[30][31] It was supported by four singles; "Higher", "Amateki/Ululate", "Woza". Pan-African Music enlisted African Electronic Dance Music number 1 on The 30 best albums of 2021 year-end lists.[32]

African Electronic Dance Music received three nominations; Album of the Year, Male Artist of the Year, and Best Dance Album at the 28th South African Music Awards.[33]

The previous day, Sithole headlined the Basha Uhuru Creative Uprising Festival alongside Langa Mavuso.[34]

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.[35][36]

2022-present: AEDM: Interstellar[edit]

In May 21, he headlined to Bassline I AM LIVE concert.[37]

Towards the end of May 2022, he headlined to MTN Bushfire Festival, held at Malkerns Valley, from May 27–29.[38][39]

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 "Makwande" with Fk Mash, Ami Faku, "Rata" with TNS and Skillz.[40] Both singles were released on December 9, 2022.

In April 2023, Sun-El Musician and Msaki teased a single "Amandla" on a snippet video clip and announced release date on October. The song was released on November 3, 2023.[41] [42]

Discography[edit]

Singles[edit]

As lead artist[edit]

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[43]
"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)
"Amandla" (Sun-El Musician, Msaki) 2023 — Non-album single
"Hamba Nami" (Sun-El Musician, Fearless Musiq, Section Five)[44] 2024 — Non-album single
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.

Albums[edit]

List of albums, with selected details, sales figures and certifications
Title Album details Certifications
Africa to the World[45]
To the World & Beyond[28]
  • Released: 4 December 2020
  • Label: EL World Music
  • Formats: CD, digital download, streaming
  • RISA: Platinum
African Electronic Dance Music
  • Released: 29 October 2021[48]
  • Label: EL World Music
  • Formats: CD, digital download, streaming

EPs[edit]

List of EPs, with selected details
Title EP details
AEDM: Interstellar
  • Released: 9 December 2022
  • Label: Under Da Sun
  • Formats: Streaming, digital download

Production and songwriting credits[edit]

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[49] 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[edit]

  • EL World Music Experience (2019)[24]

Awards and nominations[edit]

Year Award Ceremony Prize Result Ref.
2018 24th South African Music Awards Collaboration Won [19][50]
Highest Airplay Song Won [51][52]
Highest Airplay Composer Won [53]
2019 25th South African Music Awards Record of the Year (Sun-El Musician featuring Simmy and Lelo Kamau – Sonini) Won [54][55]

[56]

Newcomer of the Year Nominated
Best Dance Album Nominated
2020 KZN Entertainment Awards Best Club DJ Male Nominated [57]
Best Producer Nominated
2021 SAMAs 27 Best Dance Album Nominated [58][59]
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 [60]
2022 SAMA 28 Album of the Year Nominated [61]
Best Dance Album Nominated
Male Artist of the Year Nominated
Remix of the Year Won [62]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b "Sun EL Musician". Music In Africa.
  2. ^ a b "Sun-El Musician: "I don't come from an analogue background, it has always been about computers from the word go"". MusicRadar. 18 February 2022. Retrieved 11 May 2022.
  3. ^ a b 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. Retrieved 9 December 2021.
  6. ^ a b Dayile, Qhama (20 September 2018). "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. Archived from the original on 3 March 2022. Retrieved 3 March 2022.
  9. ^ "The Sun's El". Deep HouseLove Affair. Archived from the original on 8 October 2021. Retrieved 8 October 2021.
  10. ^ "Interview: Sun-El Musician On Owning A Record Label, Preparing For The World & Mentoring New Artists". Slikouronlife. 19 November 2021. Retrieved 10 January 2022.
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  12. ^ "Album of the Week: Sun-El Musician delivers a majestic & groovy debut 'Africa to the World' [Review]". YoMzansi. 23 April 2018. Retrieved 23 April 2018.
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  14. ^ "Interview: Sun-El Musician Is Going 'To the World & Beyond'". okayafricasite. 4 December 2020.
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  23. ^ a b "Ami Faku & Sun El Musician's Hit Into Ingawe Now Double Platinum »". Ubetoo. 20 May 2020.
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  41. ^ "Sun-El on collab with Msaki: I wanted to support my best friend through a hard time she was going through". Drum. 3 November 2023.
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  53. ^ "South African Music Awards 2018 – Full List of Winners #SAMA24". Fakaza News. 2 June 2018.
  54. ^ "2019 Collaboration of the year Nominee : Sun-El Musician – Sonini". Archived from the original on 15 August 2022. Retrieved 15 February 2021.
  55. ^ "All the 2019 SAMA nominees". www.bizcommunity.com. 25 April 2019.
  56. ^ Mathebula, Kwanele (31 May 2019). "2019 SAMA Record of the Year nominees | Bona Magazine".
  57. ^ "Talent overload: All the winners from the first KZN Entertainment Awards". The South African. 16 December 2020.
  58. ^ "Samas 27 nominations are out and its male dominated". The Citizen. 19 May 2021.
  59. ^ Poelano Malema (20 May 2021). "Full list of SAMA nominees". East Coast Radio.
  60. ^ Hansen, Gabriel Myers (23 September 2021). "All Africa Music Awards 2021: All the nominees". Music In Africa. Retrieved 21 November 2021.
  61. ^ de Wee, Naledi (7 June 2022). "#SAMA28: Take a look at the full list of nominees". The South African. Retrieved 7 June 2022.
  62. ^ Mbhele, Sandisiwe (28 August 2022). "#SAMA28: Nomfundo Moh, Sun El Musician among first batch of winners". The Citizen. Retrieved 28 August 2022.

External links[edit]

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Sun-El_Musician&oldid=1218023060"