Babes Wodumo | |
|---|---|
| Born | Bongekile Mildred Simelane March 25, 1994 |
| Other names | Gqom Queen Idando Kazi |
| Citizenship | South Africa |
| Occupations |
|
| Years active | 2016–present |
| Spouse | [1] |
| Children | 1 |
| Parent |
|
Bongekile Mildred Simelane (born 25 March 1994) prominently known as Babes Wodumo, is a South African singer-songwriter and choreographer. She rose to fame following the release of her breakthrough single "Wololo" taken from her debut studio album Gqom Queen, Vol. 1 (2016).[2]
Babes Wodumo is a part of the music connoisseurs who were pivotal in influencing the genre's international acclaim included the likes of South African rapper Okmalumkoolkat, Italian record label Gqom Oh owner, Malumz Kole[3] inclusive of music taste-maker and public relations liaison, Cherish Lala Mankai[3] and Afrotainment record label owner DJ Tira. She appeared on Black Panther: The Album on a song called "Redemption".[2] In 2017, Wodumo was nominated for the BET Award for Best International Act: Africa.[4] In July 2020, she released her second album Idando Kazi with the hit single Elamont ft Mampintsha and skillz.[5]
Life and career
1994-2013: Early childhood
Bongekile Mildred Simelane was born in March 25, 1994, Lamontville, Durban. Her father Welcome Simelane is a Bishop.
2014-2019: Career beginnings, breakthrough, Black Panther
She released her first song titled "Desha" produced by Sir Bubzin, In 2014. After she signed a record deal with West Ink, her breakthrough hit single "Wololo" featuring Mampintsha was released in December 2015 in South Africa.[6] The song earned her nomination for Best Breakthrough Artist and Song of the Year at MTV Africa Music Awards.[7]
Her debut studio album Gqom Queen Vol. 1 blended with Gqom was released. The album proceeded with three singles "Wololo", "Umgan Wami" and "Mercedes". Upon its release the song surpassed 28 million streams and debuted at number 3 on iTunes charts.[8][9] The album was certified platinum (RiSA) for South Africa sales 30 0000.
Her album created her the opportunity to feature on the Black Panther album by Kendrick Lamar.
2020-present: Idando Kazi
On 24 July 2020, she released her second studio album Idando Kazi‘’under Sabusiswa Genius Ncube’s Management at West Ink Records,[10] features Mampintsha, Skillz, T.N.S,Madanon,Worst Behavior and many others.[11] The "eLamont" was released as the lead single of the album features Mampintsha and Skillz debuted at number 3 on South African iTunes charts.
Babes Wodumo got congratulations flood her timeline after announcing the huge win her debut album, Gqom Queen Vol 1 bagged.
The singer alongside her lover, Mampintsha, who is West Ink record label boss, announced the exciting news on social media.
At 27th South African Music Awards Idando Kazi received a nominations. In 2021 she and his husband launched their reality show Uthando Lodumo which airs on Showmax.[12]
Personal life
Domestic violence case
On 3 March 2019, reports surfaced that Wodumo's boyfriend and manager Mandla "Mampintsha" Maphumulo had physically assaulted her. Wodumo broadcast the incident on Instagram Live. Mampintsha was arrested on suspicion of assault.[13] Even though the relationship between the two had appeared to be over, both parties agreed to counselling and reconciled and are on good terms, with Mampintsha appearing on her second album Idando Kazi.[5]
Marriage and children
Babes Wodumo married Mandla Maphumulo in 2020. In 2021 they had their first child, even though Babes' parents didn't know. They have a reality show, "Uthando Lodumo," which premiered on Showmax channel (495). Her husband later passed away in December 2022, due to a stroke
SAMAs
In 2017, Wodumo was the most nominated artist at the 23rd South African Music Awards. However, she did not win any award, and this led to an altercation after the singer accused the personnel from the SAMA 23 of buying awards.[14]
Discography
Studio albums
In 2016, Babes released her breakthrough album where she featured Mampintsha in all the songs on the project. The album also features Nigerian superstar D'banj, Madanon, Cassper Nyovest, DJ Sox, Sparks Wabantwana, Scoop, Kholwane, Khuzani, Danger, and DJ Tira
In July 2020, she released her second project, titled Indando Kazi, where she featured mostly Mampintsha on 10 out of the 13 tracks. Other artists include RockBoy, Cultivated Soulz & Sizwe Mdlalose, Rhythm Soundz, Dladla Mshunqisi, Her all time friend Madanon and Tipcee, among others.
| Title | Album details | Certification |
|---|---|---|
| Gqom Queen Vol.1[15] |
|
RiSA: Gold |
| Indando Kazi[5] |
|
|
Singles
| Artist | Featuring | Title |
|---|---|---|
| Babes Wodumo | featuring Mampintsha and Sklliz | eLamont |
| Babes Wodumo | featuring Mampintsha, TNS and Skillz | Abadala |
| Babes Wodumo | featuring Rhythm Soundz, Dladla Mshunqisi and Tipcee | Angeke |
| Babes Wodumo | featuring Mampintsha and Worst Behavior | Corona |
| Babes Wodumo | featuring Mampintsha and Drega | Dankie Jack |
| Babes Wodumo | featuring Mampintsha, Madanon and Drega | Intombi Yesgebengu |
| Babes Wodumo | featuring Mampintsha, RockBoy, Cultivated Soulz and Sizwe Mdlalose | Izitha |
| Babes Wodumo | feat. Native Life, Madanon and Mampintsha | Levels |
| Babes Wodumo | featuring Drega and Sizwe Mdlalos | MaTen Ten |
| Babes Wodumo | featuring RockBoy, Madanon and Benzy | Umzimba |
| Babes Wodumo | featuring RockBoy, Madanon and Benzy | Umzimba |
| Babes Wodumo | featuring RockBoy, Madanon and Benzy | Umzimba |
| Babes Wodumo | featuring Newlandz Finest | Ungangyeki |
Awards and nominations
| Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 16th Metro FM Music Awards | Gqom Queen Vol.1 | Best Dance Album | Nominated |
| Gqom Queen Vol.1 | Best Female Album | Nominated | |
| Wololo (feat. Mampintsha & Distruction Boyz | Song Of The Year) | Nominated | |
| 23rd South African Music Awards | Herself | Newcomer Of The Year | Nominated |
| Female Artist Of The Year | Herself | Nominated | |
| Wololo (feat. Mampintsha & Distruction Boyz) | Record Of The Year | Nominated | |
| Gqom Queen Vol.1 | Album of the Year | Nominated | |
| Female Artist Of The Year | Herself | Nominated | |
| MTV Africa Music Awards 2016 | Song Of The Year | Wololo (feat. Mampintsha and Distruction Boyz) | Nominated |
| BET Awards 2017 | Herself | Best International Act: Africa | Nominated |
| Dance Music Awards 2017 | Gqom Queen Vol.1 | Best Dance Female Artist | Won |
| 2017MTV EMA | Herself | Best African Act | Nominated |
| All African Music Awards 2018 | Herself | Best Female Artiste in Southern Africa | Nominated |
| South African Gqom Awards 2019 | Ka Dazz | Song Of The Year | Nominated |
| Herself | Best Female | Won | |
| Ka Dazz | Best Music Video | Nominated | |
| Ka Dazz | Best Music Video Director | Nominated | |
| 27th South African Music Awards | Idando Kazi | Best Gqom Album | Nominated |
References
- ↑ "Babes Wodumo and Mampintsha tie the knot in traditional wedding". Independent Online. Archived from the original on 21 May 2021. Retrieved 21 May 2021.
- 1 2 Krishnamurthy, Sowmya (20 February 2018). "Babes Wodumo on Her Appearance for 'Black Panther: The Album': 'I'm So Happy. It's Such a Privilege'". Billboard. Archived from the original on 6 August 2023. Retrieved 29 October 2023.
- 1 2 Weichenrieder, Philipp (19 April 2016). "Gqom-Musik aus Südafrika". Taz.de. Archived from the original on 20 April 2016. Retrieved 26 May 2021.
- ↑ 2017 BET Awards Archived 4 January 2018 at the Wayback Machine Billboard
- 1 2 3 "Babes drops new album, fans unimpressed with Mampintsha feature". IOL South Africa. 24 July 2020. Archived from the original on 24 July 2020. Retrieved 24 July 2020.
- ↑ "Who is Babes Wodumo and what's a Wololo? | Channel". South Africa: Channel. Archived from the original on 29 October 2021. Retrieved 26 July 2016.
- ↑ "Babes Wodumo - OkayAfrica - 100 Women". OkayAfrica. Retrieved 27 February 2018.
- ↑ "Babes Wodumo's 1st album finally out – The Chronicle". The Chronicle. Archived from the original on 28 October 2021. Retrieved 26 November 2016.
- ↑ Jabulani, John (19 September 2020). "Babes Wodumo Wins Big With First Album". Ubetoo. Archived from the original on 29 October 2021. Retrieved 12 October 2021.
- ↑ "Babes Wodumo opens up about her new album 'Idando Kazi' | The Citizen". The Citizen. 27 July 2020. Archived from the original on 21 May 2021. Retrieved 21 May 2021.
- ↑ Ntsinde, Mandisa (24 July 2020). "Babes Wodumo Returns To Music With New Album Titled "Idando Kazi"". Zkhiphani. Archived from the original on 12 June 2021. Retrieved 12 June 2021.
- ↑ Seemela, Masego (30 June 2021). "Uthando Lodumo': Babes Wodumo and Mampintsha's reality series a hit with viewers". Sowetan LIVE. Archived from the original on 15 August 2021. Retrieved 15 August 2021.
- ↑ Mampintsha arrested for alleged assault of Babes Wodumo Archived 26 March 2019 at the Wayback Machine on iol.co.za
- ↑ "West Ink apologises for Samas "outburst"". Archived from the original on 21 May 2021. Retrieved 21 May 2021.
- ↑ "Gqom Queen, Vol. 1 Album by Babes Wodumo | MyMuze". My Muze. Archived from the original on 10 March 2021. Retrieved 25 July 2020.