Bongekile Mildred Simelane (born March 25, 1994), better known as Babes Wodumo is a South African

gqom Gqom () '(Igqomu) () is a genre of electronic dance music that emerged in the early 2010s from Durban, South Africa, pioneered largely by producer DJ Nathan_Medee, DJ Lag, Rudeboyz, Griffit Vigo, Mbreshcar SA and Citizen Boy. It was developed fr ...

artist and choreographer. She rose to fame following the release of her breakthrough song "Wololo", in 2016. The song later appeared on her debut studio album, ''Gqom Queen'', released in late 2016.Babes Wodumo on Her Appearance for 'Black Panther: The Album': 'I'm So Happy. It's Such a Privilege'

billboard.com ''Billboard'' (stylized as ''billboard'') is an American music and entertainment magazine published weekly by Penske Media Corporation. The magazine provides music charts, news, video, opinion, reviews, events, and style related to the music ...

Sowmya Krishnamurthy, 2/20/2018 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 Smiso Zwane (born Smiso Brian Mkhasibe; 27 July 1983), commonly known by his stage name Okmalumkoolkat (sometimes stylized as OkMalumKoolKat) is a South African rapper and half of the rap/electronic duo Dirty Paraffin from Umlazi Township in Dur ...

, Italian record label Gqom Oh owner, Malumqawz Kole inclusive of music taste-makeraand public relations liaison, Cherish Lala Mankai and Afrotainment record label owner

DJ Tira Mthokozisi Khathi (born August 24, 1976), professionally known by his stage name DJ Tira, is a South African DJ, record producer and Kwaito artist. He helped popularize the Gqom music genre. Khathi won the Smirnoff SA DJ Knockout competi ...

. She appeared on '' Black Panther: The Album'' on a song called "Redemption". In 2017, Wodumo was nominated for the BET Award for Best International Act: Africa. In July 2020, she released her second album ''Idando Kazi''.

Life and career

1994-2013: Early childhood

Bongekile Mildred Simelane was born in March 25, 1994,

Lamontville Lamontville is a town in EThekwini in the KwaZulu-Natal province of South Africa. Township south of Durban, on the Umlaas River and next to Mobeni. It was laid out in 1930 and named after the Revd Archibald Lamont Archibald Lamont (21 ...

Durban Durban ( ) ( zu, eThekwini, from meaning 'the port' also called zu, eZibubulungwini for the mountain range that terminates in the area), nicknamed ''Durbs'',Ishani ChettyCity nicknames in SA and across the worldArticle on ''news24.com'' from ...

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. The song earned her nomination for Best Breakthrough Artist and Song of the Year at

MTV Africa Music Awards The MTV Africa Music Awards (also known as the MAMAs) were established in 2008 by MTV Networks Africa (now Viacom International Media Networks Africa) to celebrate the most popular contemporary music in Africa. The 2008 and 2010 events took pla ...

. Her debut studio album ''Gqom Queen Vol. 1'' blended with

Gqom Gqom () '(Igqomu) () is a genre of electronic dance music that emerged in the early 2010s from Durban, South Africa, pioneered largely by producer DJ Nathan_Medee, DJ Lag, Rudeboyz, Griffit Vigo, Mbreshcar SA and Citizen Boy. It was developed fr ...

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. 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 Kendrick Lamar Duckworth (born June 17, 1987) is an American rapper and songwriter. Known for his Progressive rap, progressive musical styles and Social consciousness, socially conscious songwriting, he is often considered one of the most infl ...

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, features Mampintsha, Skillz, T.N.S,Madanon,Worst Behavior and many others. 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 The 27th Annual South African Music Awards were the 27th edition of the South African Music Awards. The award show was broadcast live on SABC 1 on July 31, 2021 and was held virtually due to the effects of COVID-19 lockdowns. The nominees were a ...

''Idando Kazi'' received a nominations. In 2021 she and his husband launched their reality show ''Uthando Lodumo'' which airs on Showmax.

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 Instagram is a photo and video sharing social networking service owned by American company Meta Platforms. The app allows users to upload media that can be edited with filters and organized by hashtags and geographical tagging. Posts can be ...

. Mampintsha was arrested on suspicion of assault. 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''.

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)

SAMAs

In 2017, Wodumo was the most nominated artist at the 23rd

South African Music Awards The South African Music Awards (often simply the SAMAs) are the Recording Industry of South Africa's music industry awards, established in 1995. The ceremony is held annually, usually in late April or May, with the judging process starting in N ...

. 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.

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 Nigerians or the Nigerian people are citizens of Nigeria or people with ancestry from Nigeria. The name Nigeria was taken from the Niger River running through the country. This name was allegedly coined in the late 19th century by British jour ...

superstar

D'banj Oladapo Daniel Oyebanjo (born 9 June 1980), better known by his stage name D'banj, is a Nigerian singer and rapper and the founder of Mo' Hits Records with producer Don Jazzy. He has won several music awards, including the awards for ''Best Af ...

, Madanon,

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, he is regarded as one of the ...

, DJ Sox, Sparks Wabantwana, Scoop, Kholwane, Khuzani,

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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.

Singles

Awards and nominations

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Metro FM Metro FM is a national radio station in South Africa owned by the South African Broadcasting Corporation. The station broadcasts on FM Stereo as well as the DStv Bouquet Channel 801. Telephone : History The station started broadcasting in O ...

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Distruction Boyz Distruction Boyz is a Gqom music duo from Durban, South Africa which consists of recording artists and record producers Thobani “Que” Mgobhozi and Zipho “Goldmax” Mthembu. Their debut album ''Gqom Is the Future'' was certified gold by Reco ...

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, Herself , Best International Act:

Africa Africa is the world's second-largest and second-most populous continent, after Asia in both cases. At about 30.3 million km2 (11.7 million square miles) including adjacent islands, it covers 6% of Earth's total surface area ...

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, ''Idando Kazi'' , Best Gqom Album ,

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Wodumo, Babes Living people People from Durban 21st-century South African women singers 1994 births