Nathi
Birth nameNkosinathi Mankayi
Born (1982-12-23) 23 December 1982 (age 41)
Mthatha,Eastern Cape, South Africa
GenresAfropop, afrosoul
Occupation(s)Singer-songwriter
Instrument(s)Vocals
Years active2000–present
LabelsGhetto Ruff/Muthaland
Gallo Record Company

Nkosinathi Mankayi (born 23 December 1982), professionally known as Nathi, is a South African singer-songwriter.[1]

He shot to limelight upon the release of his critically acclaimed song titled "Nomvula" off his triple-platinum debut studio album Buyelekhaya.[2] He later released his second album titled Umbulelo Wam on 28 October 2016. He is presently signed under Gallo Record Company.[3][4]

Early life

Nkosinathi Mankayi was born among five siblings to a single mother in Mthatha, a small town in Eastern Cape, South Africa.[5] He grew up in Maclear, Eastern Cape, South Africa where he was educated and developed an interest in music and drawing.[6] In 2006, Nathi was sentenced to 8 years in prison for a 2002 robbery-related crime. He was however released after serving 4 years.[7][8]

Career

2008–2014: Early beginnings

With the aim of pursuing a career in music, Nathi competed and won a local music competition known as "Dare to Dream". He had his share of luck in November 2014 after Vusi Nova heard him sing and insisted on featuring him on a song titled "Noma Kanjani", a song that was well received and went on to get massive airplay around South Africa.

Nathi has one child born in 2017 and a sister who is also a singer.[5][9]

2015–2017: Buyelekhaya and Umbulelo Wam

Nathi started recording his debut studio album titled Buyelekhaya in late 2014, releasing "Nomvula" as its lead single in 2015. Upon the release of the song, it became an instant hit, winning the "Best Selling Full-Track Download" at the 22nd South African Music Awards.[8][10] On 10 March 2015, through Muthaland Entertainment, Nathi released Buyelekhaya to critical and commercial acceptance by going platinum within six weeks of its release, selling over 128,000 units.[2] At the 22nd South African Music Awards, Nathi won five awards with Buyelekhaya winning the "Best-Selling Album of the Year" and "Best R&B / Soul / Reggae Album" categories.[10]

On 28 October 2016, he released a 12-track sophomore album titled Umbulelo Wam. The album charted on #2 on iTunes and sold over 35,000 units.[11]

2018-2022: Iphupha Labantu

He signed a record deal with Gallo Record Company and release his third studio album Iphupha Labantu on July 27, 2018.[12][13] The album won award for Best African Adult Contemporary Album at 25th South African Music Awards.[14]

Discography

Studio albums

List of studio albums, with selected chart positions
Title Album details Peak chart positions Certifications Sales
NGR RSA GHA SWE UK US Released:15 June 2014
Buyelekhaya
  • Released: 10 March 2015
  • Label: Muthaland Entertainment
  • Format: CD, digital download
 – — — — — — 3× Platinum[15] 90,000
Umbulelo Wam
  • Released: 28 October 2016
  • Label: Muthaland Entertainment
  • Format: CD, digital download
 – — — — — — 35,000
Iphupha Labantu
  • Released: 27 July 2018
  • Label: Gallo Record Company
  • Format: CD, digital download
 – — — — — —
Usiba Lwe Gazi
  • Released: 14 October 2022[16]
  • Label:
  • Format: CD, digital download
 – — — — — —
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.

Singles

This section is empty. You can help by adding to it. (June 2016)

Awards and nominations

This list is incomplete; you can help by adding missing items. (June 2016)
Year Award ceremony Prize Work/Recipient Result Ref
2016 15th Metro FM Music Awards Best African Pop Album Buyelekhaya Won [17]
Best Male Album Nominated [18]
Best New Artist Himself Nominated [18]
Best R&B Single "Nomvula" Nominated [19]
Song of the Year Won [17]
22nd South African Music Awards Album of the Year Buyelekhaya Nominated [19]
Male Artist of the Year Himself Won [20]
Newcomer of the Year Won [20]
Best R&B/Soul/Reggae Album Buyelekhaya Won [21]
Best Selling Album Won [21]
Best Selling Full-Track Download "Nomvula" Won [21]
2019 Eastern Cape Music Awards Best EC National Recognised Artist Himself Nominated [22]

References

  1. ^ Sanasie, Jennifer (23 December 2015). "My life changed this year – Nathi on prison, the arts & 2016". News24. Retrieved 7 June 2016.
  2. ^ a b Baba, Buchule (21 October 2015). "Nathi Mankayi: From prison to stardom". Sunday World. Retrieved 7 June 2016.
  3. ^ Molefe, Doreen (17 March 2015). "NKOSINATHI'S HITTING THE RIGHT NOTE". Daily Sun (South Africa). Retrieved 7 June 2016.
  4. ^ Mofokeng, Lesley (25 July 2015). "Nathi fever grips Mzansi". Sowetan. Retrieved 8 June 2016.
  5. ^ a b "Nathi – Buyelekhaya". Muthaland Entertainment. Retrieved 7 June 2016.
  6. ^ Vomo, Munya (18 March 2015). "Nathi: a breath of fresh acoustic air". IOL. Retrieved 7 June 2016.
  7. ^ Makhubo, Phumla (1 September 2015). "THE MAN OF THE MOMENT!". Daily Sun (South Africa). Retrieved 7 June 2016.
  8. ^ a b Ngumama, Noba (24 July 2015). "Catching up with "Nomvula" hit-maker Nathi". DRUM Magazine. Retrieved 7 June 2016.
  9. ^ "10 Facts You Didn't Know About Nathi Mankayi". My TV News. 25 October 2015. Retrieved 7 June 2016.
  10. ^ a b Mbonambi, Buhle (5 June 2016). "Nathi, Black Coffee win big at Samas". IOL News. Retrieved 7 June 2016.
  11. ^ Dayile, Qhama (28 October 2016). "Nathi Mankayi releases new album". DRUM. Retrieved 25 November 2016.
  12. ^ Journalist, The (13 July 2018). "Nathi Mankayi Iphupha Labantu album set to drop July end". Zkhiphani.
  13. ^ "STREAM: Nathi releases new album 'Iphupha Labantu' | YOMZANSI". YoMzansi. 30 July 2018.
  14. ^ "2019 Best African Adult Contemporary Album Winner : Nathi – Iphupha Labantu". South African Music Awards. 31 May 2019.
  15. ^ "5 Facts About Nathi Mankayi". Urban Culxure. 24 April 2016. Retrieved 7 June 2016.
  16. ^ "Nathi Goes Deeper in His Work". Sowetan Live. 4 October 2022. Retrieved 19 January 2023.
  17. ^ a b Nandipha Pantsi (27 February 2016). "Emtee, Fifi Cooper and Nathi win big at Metro FM Awards". The Citizen (South Africa). Retrieved 7 June 2016.
  18. ^ a b "Metro FM Awards 2016 Winners [List]". MyTV News. 27 February 2016. Retrieved 7 June 2016.
  19. ^ a b "15th Metro FM Music Awards nominees (Full list)". Sunday World. 15 January 2016. Archived from the original on 26 May 2016. Retrieved 7 June 2016.
  20. ^ a b "Nathi and Black Coffee dominate at SAMA 2016". Sowetan Live. 5 June 2016. Archived from the original on 6 June 2016. Retrieved 7 June 2016.
  21. ^ a b c Malatji, Ngwako (5 June 2016). "Nathi wins 5 Samas, Black Coffee wins 4". Sunday World. Retrieved 7 June 2016.
  22. ^ Seroto, Butchie (20 September 2019). "SA Eastern Cape Music Awards: All the nominees". Music In Africa.
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