Siyabonga Nene (born 7 April 1986), known professionally as Big Zulu, is a South African rapper and songwriter. He rose to spotlight after releasing the single "Donsa Nkabi" in 2016. He signed a record deal with

Universal Music Universal Music Group N.V. (often abbreviated as UMG and referred to as Universal Music Group or Universal Music) is a Dutch– American multinational music corporation under Dutch law. UMG's corporate headquarters are located in Hilversum ...

in 2015 and Zulu released his debut album, ''Ushun Wenkabi'' (2018) and '' Ungqongqoshe Wongqongqoshe'' (2019). Zulu's third studio album '' Ichwane Lenyoka'' (2021), spawned three chart-topping singles " Mali Eningi", "Inhlupheko" and "Umuzi eSandton". Its lead single "Mali Eningi", was certified double platinum by the

Recording Industry of South Africa Recording Industry of South Africa (RiSA) is a trade association representing the interests of major and independent record labels of South Africa. Located in Randburg, RiSA is responsible for running the annual South African Music Awards (SAMA ...

(RiSA). Zulu also appeared in the television shows ''

Isibaya ''Isibaya'' is a South African television drama series that started production in 2013, premiering on Mzansi Magic and created by Angus Gibson, Desiree Markgraaff, Teboho Mahlatsi, Catherine Stewart and Benedict Carton. Siyabonga Thwala leads the ...

'', ''One Mic'' (2017-2020), ''

Uzalo ''Uzalo'' is a South African soap opera produced by Stained Glass Productions, which is co-owned by Kobedi "Pepsi" Pokane and Gugu Zuma-Ncube. It began airing in 2015, quickly becoming a hit due to its compelling narrative, writing, direction ...

'' (2020), ''Isithembiso'', and ''Ushuni Womhlaba'' (2024). His accolades include seven

South African Hip Hop Awards The South African Hip Hop Awards (commonly abbreviated as SAHHA) are an annual hip hop award ceremony, that celebrates achievements within the South African hip hop culture, established in 2012. The awards are presented annually, and are broadca ...

, one South African Music Award and one Metro FM Music Awards.

Early life

Siyabonga Nene was born and raised in

Bergville Bergville(formerly known as Ntenjwa) is a town with a Rich History. *History The area was formerly known as Ntenjwa (eMangwaneni). The land was taken by the Hlongwane clan from the Hlubi clan after a conflict in the mid-19th century, believed ...

KwaZulu-Natal KwaZulu-Natal (, also referred to as KZN) is a Provinces of South Africa, province of South Africa that was created in 1994 when the government merged the Zulu people, Zulu bantustan of KwaZulu ("Place of the Zulu" in Zulu language, Zulu) and ...

. He grew up listening to

Maskandi Maskandi (also Maskanda) is a form of Zulu music, Zulu folk music, originally associated with migrant workers,Ladysmith Black Mambazo Ladysmith Black Mambazo are a South African male choral group singing in the local vocal styles of ''isicathamiya'' and ''mbube (genre), mbube''. They became known internationally after singing with American Paul Simon on his 1986 album ''Grace ...

, Phuzekemisi and Imithente.

Artistry

Influences

He is influenced by Maskandi and Scathamiya. He used to live in the Vaal in a place called Palm Springs.

Career

Career beginnings

Zulu spent several years as a taxi driver and quit in 2008 to pursue his career in music. In 2009, just after he left taxi industry started writing songs and performing. Four years later in 2013, Zulu contested and became the first to won

Red Bull Red Bull is a brand of energy drinks created and owned by the Austrian company Red Bull GmbH. With a market share of 43%, it is the most popular energy drink brand as of 2020, and the third most valuable soft drink brand, behind Coca-Cola and ...

Back to the city competition. His debut single "Donsa Nkabi" was released in 2016.

2014–2019: ''Ushun Wenkabi'', ''Ungqongqoshe Wongqongqoshe''

After a number of years as an independent artist, he signed a record deal with Universal Music Records in 2015 and released his debut album ''Ushun Wenkabi'' in July 2018, with singles including "Ang'mazi umama" and "Home". His second studio album ''Ungqongqoshe Wongqongqoshe'' was released in 2019, featuring Ab Crazy, Mnqobi Yazo, FiFi Cooper,

Kwesta Senzo Mfundo Vilakazi (born 11 August 1988) known professionally as Kwesta, is a South African rapper and songwriter. Born in Katlehong, Gauteng, a township also known as "K1". In 2003, at the age of 15, he and his friends formed a rap group G ...

, Caspper Nyovest, Musiholiq and Truhitz. The lead single "Ak'laleki" featuring Kwesta was released. In 2 August his second single "Ama Million" featuring

Cassper Nyovest Refiloe Maele Phoolo (born 16 December 1990), professionally known as Cassper Nyovest, is a South African rapper, songwriter, entrepreneur, record producer and amateur boxer. Born and raised in Mahikeng, North West (South African province), Nor ...

& Musiholiq was released and peaked No. 5 on the iTunes Chart. The song was certified platinum. In August 14, his third single "Vuma dlozi" featuring Mnqobi Yazo was released and certified platinum by the Recording industry of South Africa (RiSA) with sales of 50 000 copies. The album was certified gold by the Recording Industry of South Africa (RiSA) and earned a nomination at the South African Music Awards (SAMA26) for Best Hip Hop Album. In the same year, 2019, the album was nominated for Best Male Artist of the Year and Album of the Year at the

. He established his own record label Nkabi Records.

2020–2022: ''Ichwane Lenyoka'', '' Nkabi Nation''

On November 20, 2020, his single " Mali Eningi" was released featuring Intaba Yase Dubai & Ricky Rick as the album's lead single. The song debuted number 2 on '' Channel 0'' Top 30 charts and was certified double platinum. At the 27th annual South African Music Awards, "Mali Eningi" won Best collaboration category. At the end of 2020 he was selected for the first time on MTV Base: SA's Hottest MCs, at the fifth place. Towards the end of the January 2021, he announced the working on his third studio album. On March 11, 2021, he released a single "Inhlupheko" featuring Mduduzi Ncube as the second single. The song peaked at number one on the South African iTunes charts and reach number 4 on Shazam charts. On 3 July 2021, he announced a new single titled "Umuzi eSandton" featuring

Lwah Ndlunkulu 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" ...

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. The song was released on 9 July 2021; It was featured on his album ''Ichwane Lenyoka'', which was released on 3 September 2021. The single "Umuzi eSandton" reached number one on Shazam charts. On September 13, 2021, he performed on season 14 on ''

Idols South Africa ''Idols'' was a television show on the South African television network Mzansi Magic, and previously on M-Net, based on the popular British show ''Pop Idol''. The show was a contest to determine the best young singer in South Africa. The gener ...

''. Zulu won seven awards includes; Album of the Year, Song of the Year (" Mali Eningi"), Best Music Video, Best Male and Ubuntu Activism Award, Best Collaboration, and Best Digital Sales at the

2021 South African Hip Hop Awards The 2021 South African Hip Hop Awards took place on 10 December 2021 and were the 10th edition of the South African Hip Hop Awards The South African Hip Hop Awards (commonly abbreviated as SAHHA) are an annual hip hop award ceremony, that cel ...

. At the end of 2021 he was selected again on MTV Base: SA's Hottest MCs, climbing to the second place. "iVolovolo" featuring Xowla was released on February 11, 2022. The song debuted number one in South Africa. "Voicemail" by Big Zulu Mduduzi Ncube, Lwah Ndlunkulu, Siya Ntuli and Xowla was released as album's lead single on June 24, 2022. The song was certified Gold and reached number one in South Africa. Zulu released "150 Bars (Ke hip hop Dawg)" on August 20, 2022. The song entered Local Top 10 Radio charts at number 7. Zulu announced albums release date and final track listing on Instagram, released on September 09, 2022. "Dear My Love" featuring K.O, Xowla and Siya Ntuli is a single by Big Zulu released on November 25, 2022.

2023-present: Inkabi Zezwe, ''Ukhamba'', ''Ngises' Congweni''

On March 17, 2023, Big Zulu and Sjava announced the working on their joint album ''Ukhamba'' as duo Inkabi Zezwe. " Umbayimbayi" was released on March 24, 2023 as album's lead single. The song debuted number one on iTunes Top 50 & Spotify Top 100 South Africa consecutively. The song was certified 3× Platinum in South Africa. On April 1, Zulu announced Inkabi Zezwe Tour that ran from June until September 2023. The album was released on May 12, 2023. It debuted number one in two countries South Africa and Eswatini consecutively. Towards the end of January 2024, Zulu announced the working on his fourth studio album and albums lead single "Awufuni Ukung' Qoma". ''Ngises' Congweni'' was released on March 27, 2023.

Television

In June 2024, Zulu joined talent search show ''Ushuni Womhlaba'', as a judge premiered on SABC 1 on 7 July.

Other ventures

In 2019, Zulu founded the record label Inkabi Records. Zulu has since signed Mduduzi Ncube, Lwah Ndlunkulu, Xowla and Siya Ntuli. On September 21, 2021, Zulu started charity and donated with laptops and printers to Obonjaneni Primary School. As of August 2020, he partnered with Spitz as the ambassador of Carvela.

Discography

Studio albums

* ''Ushun Wenkabi'' (2018) * '' Ungqongqoshe Wongqongqoshe'' (2019) * '' Ichwane Lenyoka'' (2021) * ''Ngises' Congweni'' (2024) * ''Icala Le Mpumelelo'' (2025)

Collaborative albums

* '' Inkabi Nation'' (2022) * ''Ukhamba'' (2023)

As lead artist

As featured artist

Awards and nominations

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Big Zulu South African rappers 1986 births Living people South African singer-songwriters Zulu-language singers of South Africa English-language singers from South Africa Musicians from KwaZulu-Natal 21st-century South African male singers People from Okhahlamba Local Municipality