Zakhele Madida (born 26 May 1981 in
KwaMashu F-section,
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 ...
), known professionally as Zakes Bantwini, is a South African singer, record producer and businessman.
Early life
Zakhele Madida was born and raised in KwaMashu F-section in the province of KwaZulu-Natal. He went to Shayamoya Junior Primary School and later attended Nqabakazulu High School. At the age of 14 years, he had his first child. Despite facing the challenges of being a teenage father, he still went on to finishing his matric. After matriculating, he went on to study at Natal Technikon (now known as
Durban University of Technology
The Durban University of Technology (DUT) is a multi-campus university situated in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. It was formed in 2002 following the merger of Technikon Natal and ML Sultan Technikon and it was initially known as the Durban In ...
) where he received a national certificate in Light Music. This is also where he formed his own record label - called Mayonie Productions - while completing his final year. Madida received a diploma in Jazz and Music Performance after completing his studies at the
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 ...
in Durban. He also studied a Social Entrepreneurship Programme at Gordon Institute of Business Science, University of Pretoria.
Career
2011–2016: ''The Fake Book and Real Book: My Music Bible''
In April 2011, his single "Clap Your Hands" was released, featuring Xolani Sithole.
In 2013, Madida released his studio album ''The Fake Book and Real Book: My Music Bible''. The following year, the album was nominated in the Best Dance Album Category at the 20th SAMA Awards. On 23 June 2017, he released the album ''Love, Light & Music 2''.
In 2020, Bantwini remixed
Lauv
Ari Staprans Leff (born August 8, 1994), known professionally as Lauv (), is an American musician best known for his breakout hit "I Like Me Better"; included on his compilation album ''I Met You When I Was 18 (The Playlist)'', which was releas ...
's single "
Modern Loneliness
"Modern Loneliness" is a song by American singer-songwriter Lauv released on February 20, 2020. It was released as the tenth and final single from his debut album, ''How I'm Feeling'' which was released on March 6 of the same year. The song was wr ...
".
2021–present: ''Ghetto King'' and ''The Star Is Reborn''
At a Kunye Event, his single "
Osama" with Kasango was teased. The song was scheduled to be released on 17 September 2021. On September 2, 2021, it was reported that the release date of "Osama" would be rescheduled to 10 September 2021. The song peaked at number one on Radio Monitor Charts and spent 10 weeks on it. In late 2021, he headlined to
''Miss South Africa'' 2021.
In early December 2021, Zakes' third studio album ''
Ghetto King
''Ghetto King'' is the third studio album by South African singer Zakes Bantwini. It was released on 3 December 2021, by Mayonie Production and Paradise Sound System. BlaQRhythm, DeeTheGeneral, Drega, Karyendasoul, Khetha, Mthunzi, Nana Atta, N ...
'' was released worldwide. The album was met with positive reviews from music critics. It features Khetha, BlaQRhythm, DeeTheGeneral, Drega, Karyendasoul, Mthunzi, Nana Atta, Nomkhosi, Skillz, and Skye Wanda.
In early February 2022, Apple Music featured Zakes as their 'Isigubhu' cover star.
''The Star Is Reborn'', Zakes fourth studio album, was released in December 2023. On ''The Star is Reborn'', Bantwini worked with Karyendasoul, Drega, Masuda resulting in a genre-spanning record that incorporated
electronic dance music
Electronic dance music (EDM), also referred to as dance music or club music, is a broad range of percussive electronic music genres originally made for nightclubs, raves, and List of electronic dance music festivals, festivals. It is generally ...
styles and
afro tech
Afro tech (also Afro-tech or AfroTech) is a sub-genre of house music and afro house which originates and is predominantly made in South Africa. It emerged in the 2010s. South African DJs and Record producer, music producers who popularized th ...
.
It was supported by the lead single "Mama Thula" featuring Skye Wanda, Thakzin, Drega, and Suffocate SA.
Business ventures
In 2004, he established Mayonie Productions, which is known for music such as "Bum Bum", "Wasting My Time" and "Clap Your Hands".
Madida released his debut album ''The Good Life'' in 2008. Two years later, he released the album ''Love, Light and Music,'' which included songs like "Clap Your Hands" and "Wasting My Time".
L'vovo Derrango
In 2005, Madida helped launch the career of Kwaito artist Thokozani Ndlovu, who was later known by his stage name L'vovo Derrango. Under Mayonie Productions, Derrango released his debut album which was self-titled (''Lvovo Derrango''). The album gained him recognition as he was nominated at the SAMA Awards for the Best Kwaito Album. In 2007, he won the Best Kwaito and Song of the Year award at the
MetroFM awards.
Personal life
Madida has three children from previous relationships and two with his wife
Nandi Madida
Nandi Madida (née Mngoma; born 20 March 1988) is a South African singer, actress, model and television presenter. Born and raised in Maphumulo, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, She rose to stardom after she was featured by DJ Franky as a vocalist ...
(formerly Nandi Mngoma).
Discography
Albums
Singles
Other charted songs
Awards and nominations
References
{{DEFAULTSORT:Bantwini, Zakes
1980 births
Zulu people
Living people
Kwaito musicians
South African jazz singers
South African jazz guitarists
South African pianists
South African bass guitarists
Musicians from KwaZulu-Natal
Grammy Award winners
21st-century South African male singers
People from KwaMashu
South African singer-songwriters
South African record producers
English-language singers from South Africa