Simphiwe Majobe Nhlangulela, better known by her stage name Simmy, is a South African singer-songwriter. She gained prominence in 2018, after signed a record deal with EL World Music and release her debut studio album ''

Tugela Fairy ''Tugela Fairy'' is a debut album studio by South African singer-songwriter Simmy, released November 16, 2018 through El World Music and Sony. Production was handled by Sun-El Musician. The album was certified Platinum by the Recording Industry o ...

'' (2018), spawned with hit singles "Ngiyesaba", "Ubala", "Umahlalela". The album was certified 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). Her second studio album ''

Tugela Fairy (Made of Stars) ''Tugela Fairy (Made of Stars)'' is the second studio album by South African singer and songwriter Simmy, released on 6 November 2020, through EL World Music and Sony. The album debuted at number 3 in South Africa. Background In October 202 ...

'' (2020), which debuted number 3 in one country.

Life and career

Early life and education

Simphiwe Majobe Nhlangulela was born in

South Africa South Africa, officially the Republic of South Africa (RSA), is the Southern Africa, southernmost country in Africa. Its Provinces of South Africa, nine provinces are bounded to the south by of coastline that stretches along the Atlantic O ...

, as the youngest of four children. In an interview with Emmanuel Tjiya Sowetan newspaper, Simmy revealed that she was raised by strict parents growing up. She is an alumna of

University of KwaZulu-Natal The University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN; , ) is a public research university with five campuses in the province of KwaZulu-Natal in South Africa. It was formed on 1 January 2004 after the merger between the University of Natal and the University ...

, where she studied Social Sciences. In 2013, while she was attending at University of KwaZulu-Natal, Nhlangulela met Sandile Sithole who introduced her to

Sun-El Musician Sanele Tresure Sithole (born 28 March 1989), known professionally as Sun-El Musician, is a South African disc jockey, music producer, and songwriter. Born and raised in Mooi River (town), Mooi River, he attended the University of KwaZulu-Natal bu ...

. After she completed her degree in Social Science, Simmy relocated to Johannesburg in 2015 to pursue her musical career.

Music career

Simmy started her career by auditioning for ''

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 ...

'' and ''

SA's Got Talent ''SA's Got Talent ''(also known as ''South Africa's Got Talent'' or shorten to ''SAGT'') was a South African television show that aired on e.tv and part of the ''Got Talent'' series. It was presented by Mo Mahlangu, popularly known as Tol Ass M ...

'' but was unsuccessful.

2017–2019: ''Tugela Fairy''

Her professional music career started in 2017 by signing to EL World Music after completing her studies which was followed by the release of her debut studio album ''Tugela Fairy'', which was featured in

Apple Music Apple Music is an audio and video streaming service developed by Apple Inc. Users can select music to stream to their device on-demand, or listen to existing playlists. The service also includes the sister internet radio stations Apple Musi ...

artist Spotlight. In February 22, her single "Ubala" was released featuring Sun-El Musician. The song was certified gold. The album was released on October 26, 2018, and was certified gold by the Recording industry of South Africa (RiSA) for South Africa 25 000 sales. Her single "Umahlalela" was certified platinum plaque. At the

25th South African Music Awards The 25th Annual South African Music Awards ceremony was held at the Sun City Arena in North West on June 1, 2019. It aired live on SABC 1. The show was hosted by Bob Mabena, Melanie Bala, Twasa Seoke and hip-hop star Khuli Chana. The list of n ...

, ''Tugela Fairy'' was nominated for Best Afro Pop Album. At the 2019 South African Dance Music Awards, she won Best Female Vocalist award.

2020–present: ''Tugela Fairy (Made of Stars)''

Simmy announced work on her second studio album prior to the release of ''Tugela Fairy'', with progress on the record continuing throughout 2020. In March 2020, she released a single "Ngihamba Nawe" fused with the classic Afro-House/neo-soul featuring vocals from Sino Msolo. In October 2020, Simmy headlined to Rose Fest. On November 9, 2020, her second studio album ''Tugela Fairy (Made of Stars)'' was released, which debuted number 3 on Apple Music Charts. The album features Mthunzi, S-Tone, Da Capo, Sun-El Musician, Sino Msolo, Ami Faku, and Khuzani. ''Tugela Fairy (Made of Stars)'' received nomination for Best Afro Pop album at the

27th South African Music Awards The 27th Annual South African Music Awards were the 27th edition of the South African Music Awards. The award show was broadcast live on SABC1 on 31 July 2021, and was held virtually due to the effects of COVID-19 lockdowns. The nominees were ...

. To promote her album Simmy launched Tugela Fairy (Made of Stars) Special Virtual Concert. She was featured on ''Shay'na nge White Star'' campaign, which includes two dates, in May 2022. The first show was held at Johannesburg on 12 May, and last one in Durban on 21 May. In December 2023, Simmy announced the working on her upcoming third studio album.

Artistry

Growing up in Tugela, she mainly listened to

Mbaqanga Mbaqanga () is a style of South African music that emerged in the early 1960s in the urban townships, particularly around Johannesburg. It draws from a variety of ethnic traditions, including Zulu, Xhosa, Sotho, Pedi, and Tsonga musical element ...

country music Country (also called country and western) is a popular music, music genre originating in the southern regions of the United States, both the American South and American southwest, the Southwest. First produced in the 1920s, country music is p ...

and

Maskandi Maskandi (also Maskanda) is a form of Zulu music, Zulu folk music, originally associated with migrant workers,RnB RNB may refer to: * Nankai Broadcasting (''R''adio ''N''ankai ''B''roadcasting), a broadcasting station in Ehime Prefecture, Japan * Russian National Library * RNB Global University, in Bikaner, Rajasthan, India * "RNB" (song), a song by Young Dol ...

to her other songs. She has cited a number of artists as her inspiration

Dolly Parton Dolly Rebecca Parton (born January 19, 1946) is an American singer, songwriter, musician, actress, and philanthropist, known primarily as a country music, country musician. After achieving success as a songwriter for others, Parton's debut album ...

, Soul Brothers, Letta Mbuli, and

Brenda Fassie Brenda Nokuzola Fassie (3 November 1964 – 9 May 2004) was a South African singer, songwriter, dancer and activist. Affectionately called MaBrrr by her fans, she is also known as the "Queen of African Pop" or the "Madonna of The Townships." Fas ...

Personal life

Simmy is known to keeping her personal life private.

Discography

Studio albums

* ''

'' (2018) * ''

'' (2020)

Extended plays

* ''Ithuba'' (2024)

Singles

As lead artist

As featured artist

Awards and nominations

References

{{Authority control Living people South African artists South African songwriters University of KwaZulu-Natal alumni Neo soul singers Year of birth missing (living people)