Nianell (born September 25, 1971 as Sonia Aletta Nel in
Omaruru, Namibia
Omaruru is a city in the Erongo Region of central Namibia. The town has 14,000 inhabitants and owns of land. It is situated near Mount Erongo, on the usually dry Omaruru River. It is located on the main paved road from Swakopmund to Otjiwarongo. ...
) is a singer, pianist, guitarist, and composer.
Biography
After growing up in
Windhoek
Windhoek (, , ) is the capital and largest city of Namibia. It is located in central Namibia in the Khomas Highland plateau area, at around above sea level, almost exactly at the country's geographical centre. The population of Windhoek in 20 ...
, Nianell graduated with a three-year diploma in light music from
Pretoria Technikon in South Africa. She studied classical music at
Trinity College Trinity College may refer to:
Australia
* Trinity Anglican College, an Anglican coeducational primary and secondary school in , New South Wales
* Trinity Catholic College, Auburn, a coeducational school in the inner-western suburbs of Sydney, New ...
in London and at the
University of South Africa
The University of South Africa (UNISA), known colloquially as Unisa, is the largest university system in South Africa by enrollment. It attracts a third of all higher education students in South Africa. Through various colleges and affiliates, U ...
.
She has a four-octave vocal range and her songs have been described as including "elements of folk, pop, R&B, country, classic and even Celtic music." Four of her albums (''Who Painted The Moon?'', ''Angel Tongue'', ''Life's Gift'', and ''I Know I'm Lucky'') reached platinum status in South Africa. Nianell gained her first international platinum hit with the song "Who Painted the Moon?" The composition was covered by another international singer,
Hayley Westernra on the album ''Pure''. The album sold more than 2 million copies and Nianell's version was featured as a single on this album. In April 2011, she released her first album in the United States.
["South African Superstar Nianell Releases Her Debut U.S. Album!"]
CelineDion.com. She has won two
SAMA Awards: ''Angel Tongue'' won Best English Contemporary Album, and "We'll Find a Way" won her Best Female Songwriter.
She released a duet album with
Dozi and another duet album with
Afropop artists
Romanz
Romanz was a South African pop/opera vocal quartet. They sung predominantly in Afrikaans and also in English. They won several prominent awards for their work. They disbanded in 2014. Adam Barnard died on 6 May 2022.
Members
Past Members:
* ...
in May 2011.
Personal life
She and her ex-husband, Andrew Thompson, have triplets, all girls. In 1998, she played
netball
Netball is a ball sport played on a court by two teams of seven players. It is among a rare number of sports which have been created exclusively for female competitors. The sport is played on indoor and outdoor netball courts and is specifical ...
in the Namibian national team. Nianell's younger sister,
Riana Nel
Riana Nel (9 November 1982) is a Namibian singer and songwriter. After growing up in Windhoek she moved to Pretoria, South Africa, to start her career.
Professional career
Her songs have been described as including elements of "pop & country" ...
, is also an acclaimed singer and songwriter. Both sisters have performed together on several occasions.
Discography
Albums
*2002 – ''Who Painted the Moon''
*2006 – ''Life's Gift''
*2007 – ''Angel Tongue''
*2007 – ''As One'' (Live DVD, concert at Emperor's Palace)
*2008 – ''I Know I'm Lucky''
*2009 – ''It Takes Two'', with Dozi (DVD)
*2010 – ''Sand & Water''
*2011 – ''Who Painted the Moon'' (U.S. compilation album)
*2011 – ''
'N Duisend Drome''
*2012 – ''You're the One That I Want – Take 2''
*2012 – ''My Heart''
*2014 – ''Just Be''
"Just Be"
nianell.co.za.
References
{{Authority control
1971 births
Living people
People from Omaruru
21st-century Namibian women singers