"Umlilo" is a single by a South African DJ professionally known as
DJ Zinhle
Ntombezinhle Jiyane (born ) is a South African DJ, producer, media personality and businesswoman, who is better known by her stage name DJ Zinhle.
Zinhle has also pursued an acting career. She made her on-screen debut as judge in ''Jika MaJi ...
, released on 23 August 2019, the single features vocals from female singer
Rethabile Khumalo with production from
Mvzzle.
Umlilo has been certified multi-platinum and within its first three months, it reached over 5.1 million streams.
Background
When translated, “Umlilo” means fire, translated from
isiZulu
Zulu (), or isiZulu as an endonym, is a Southern Bantu language of the Nguni branch spoken in Southern Africa. It is the language of the Zulu people, with about 12 million native speakers, who primarily inhabit the province of KwaZulu-Natal of ...
to
English
English usually refers to:
* English language
* English people
English may also refer to:
Peoples, culture, and language
* ''English'', an adjective for something of, from, or related to England
** English national ide ...
. In the jam, three artists are grateful for what God has done to them. He has opened their eyes and ears, and they can speak because of “God’s fire alone. It is also essential to point out that each of the three artists chose their lines well.
Mvzzle contacted renowned DJ and entrepreneur,
DJ Zinhle
Ntombezinhle Jiyane (born ) is a South African DJ, producer, media personality and businesswoman, who is better known by her stage name DJ Zinhle.
Zinhle has also pursued an acting career. She made her on-screen debut as judge in ''Jika MaJi ...
with two beats, one of which is now the smash hit ‘Umlilo’ featuring Rethabile – who had earlier DM’d,
DJ Zinhle
Ntombezinhle Jiyane (born ) is a South African DJ, producer, media personality and businesswoman, who is better known by her stage name DJ Zinhle.
Zinhle has also pursued an acting career. She made her on-screen debut as judge in ''Jika MaJi ...
on
Instagram proposing a collaboration with her, one thing led to the other and single was produced. Zinhle, in an edition of Red Bull Live With, explained to Mo Flava about the exact meaning behind the hit song.
"There has been a big debate about 'Umlilo' because it's such a big club or party song and people don't know that its actually a sing that praises God. It talks about the wonders of God's love and it is based on
Bible
The Bible (from Koine Greek , , 'the books') is a collection of religious texts or scriptures that are held to be sacred in Christianity, Judaism, Samaritanism, and many other religions. The Bible is an anthologya compilation of texts ...
scriptures which is amazing", explained the DJ.
The single was released through
Universal Music South Africa
Universal Music South Africa is the South African division of the record label Universal Music Group, founded in 1997.
Overview
Universal Music South Africa, was founded in 1997, as the second-largest African division of Universal Music Group. O ...
on behalf of
Kalawa Jazmee.
Composition and lyrics
"Umlilo" is a
house track that has a touch of
dance/
electronic
Electronic may refer to:
*Electronics, the science of how to control electric energy in semiconductor
* ''Electronics'' (magazine), a defunct American trade journal
*Electronic storage, the storage of data using an electronic device
*Electronic co ...
.
The song features an "upbeat tempo beat" with Rethabile's vocals quoting a Bible verse
Critical reception
The female producer
DJ Zinhle
Ntombezinhle Jiyane (born ) is a South African DJ, producer, media personality and businesswoman, who is better known by her stage name DJ Zinhle.
Zinhle has also pursued an acting career. She made her on-screen debut as judge in ''Jika MaJi ...
was accused of buying nominations for the song and she had to clap back to clarify the mistakes made by the media.
Accolades
The hit-single went on to receive triple-platinum plaques,
and nominated for Record Of The Year (fan-voted) at
26th South African Music Awards
The 26th Annual South African Music Awards were held on 3–7 August 2020. Unlike previous years shows, the ceremony was broadcast as a five-night event, with the first four episodes being 30 minutes long, while the fifth one was a 45-minute grand ...
.
The single won a
NAMA (award).
Certifications
Music video
DJ Zinhle
Ntombezinhle Jiyane (born ) is a South African DJ, producer, media personality and businesswoman, who is better known by her stage name DJ Zinhle.
Zinhle has also pursued an acting career. She made her on-screen debut as judge in ''Jika MaJi ...
released a visuals teaser of her hit single on Wednesday of . The video depicts the female DJ alongside a couple of dancers, Rethabile singing on the microphone and
Mvzzle behind the decks
The official full length music video was released on , via
YouTube
YouTube is a global online video sharing and social media platform headquartered in San Bruno, California. It was launched on February 14, 2005, by Steve Chen, Chad Hurley, and Jawed Karim. It is owned by Google, and is the second mo ...
In celebration of the song's success,
DJ Zinhle
Ntombezinhle Jiyane (born ) is a South African DJ, producer, media personality and businesswoman, who is better known by her stage name DJ Zinhle.
Zinhle has also pursued an acting career. She made her on-screen debut as judge in ''Jika MaJi ...
released a second
latinumvideo for Umlilo in December and just a few months later, the video has reached over 3 million views on
YouTube
YouTube is a global online video sharing and social media platform headquartered in San Bruno, California. It was launched on February 14, 2005, by Steve Chen, Chad Hurley, and Jawed Karim. It is owned by Google, and is the second mo ...
.
References
External links
* on
Musixmatch
{{authority control
2019 singles
2019 songs
South African Music Awards