The Voice of Africa is the ninth studio album by South African singer Kelly Khumalo.[1] It was released on 9 October 2020 by Universal Music.[2] It was produced by Mondli Ngcobo.
| The Voice of Africa | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
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| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | 9 October 2020 | |||
| Genre | Afro pop | |||
| Label | Universal Music | |||
| Producer |
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| Kelly Khumalo chronology | ||||
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| Singles from The Voice of Africa | ||||
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The album was certified gold in South Africa.
Background
editOn 13 February 2020, Kelly announced that she had started recording her ninth studio album on her Instagram account.[3]
Singles
edit"Empini" was released as album's lead single on 19 June 2020, as well as accompanying music video.[4] The song peaked number one on South Africa Afro Pop Music charts.[5]
"Esiphambanweni" featuring Hlengiwe Mhlaba was released on 11 September 2021, as the third single,[6] peaked number one on South Africa Gospel charts.[7]
Commercial performance
editThe Voice of Africa (TVOA) was certified gold in South Africa on 20 May 2021.[8]
Album track "Empini" was certified 4× platinum, "Esiphambanweni" 2× platinum, and "Ngathwala Ngaye" platinum.[9]
Track listing
edit| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Nok'khanya" | 6:50 | |
| 2. | "Kuyenyukela" | 6:34 | |
| 3. | "Empini" | 4:49 | |
| 4. | "Loshona Nini" | 3:47 | |
| 5. | "Undithatha Kancinci" | Asanda Mvana | 4:22 |
| 6. | "Ngathwala Ngaye" (featuring Mondli Ngcobo) | 4:28 | |
| 7. | "Awazi Lutho" | 4:31 | |
| 8. | "Esphambanweni" (featuring Hlengiwe Mhlaba) | 6:23 | |
| Total length: | 42:00 | ||
Personnel
editCredits for The Voice of Africa are adapted from AllMusic.[10]
- Asanda Mvana – composer, producer
- Kelly Khumalo – vocals, composer
- Nduduzo Makhathini – producer
- Mondli Ngcobo – composer, producer
- Hubert Batundi Muisha – producer
Accolades
editThe Voice of Africa was nominated for Best Afro Pop Album at the 27th South African Music Awards.[11]
| Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | The Voice of Africa | Best Afro Pop Album | Nominated |
The Voice of Africa (Live)
edit| The Voice of Africa | |
|---|---|
| Live album by | |
| Released | 12 November 2021 |
| Venue | Ster Kinekor, Rosebank |
| Studio | Universal Music |
| Genre | Afro pop[12] |
| Length | 51:00 |
| Producer | Mondli Ngcobo |
The Voice of Africa is a live album by South African singer Kelly Khumalo.[12] It was recorded at Ster Kinekor, Rosebank in November 2021.[13]
The album incorporates elements of maskandi and traditional folk music, and gospel.[13]
Track listing
edit| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Nok'khanya" | 5:58 |
| 2. | "Undithatha Kancinci" | 3:32 |
| 3. | "Ngathwala Ngaye" (featuring Mondli Ngcobo) | 5:44 |
| 4. | "Kuyenyukela" | 5:58 |
| 5. | "Loshona Nini" | 4:24 |
| 6. | "Awazi Lutho" | 7:08 |
| 7. | "Esiphambanweni" (featuring Hlengiwe Mhlaba) | 9:04 |
| 8. | "Empini" | 9:20 |
| Total length: | 51:00 | |
Certifications
edit| Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
|---|---|---|
| South Africa (RISA)[14] | Gold | 10,000‡ |
|
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone. | ||
Release history
edit| Region | Date | Format(s) | Label | Edition(s) | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| South Africa | 9 October 2020 |
|
Universal Music | Standard | [15] |
References
edit- ^ "Kelly Khumalo Releases New Album – Ekurhuleni News". Ekurhuleni News. 14 October 2020. Retrieved 12 November 2021.
- ^ "Kelly Khumalo Releases Another Hit Album TVOA! - Mgosi". Mgosi. 29 October 2020. Retrieved 20 November 2021.
- ^ Salawu, Wuraola (14 February 2020). "Kelly Khumalo spends third consecutive day in studio working on upcoming album Ubetoo". Ubetoo. Retrieved 21 November 2021.
- ^ "Kelly Khumalo on her new single and how she deals with tension". Sowetan LIVE. Retrieved 21 November 2021.
- ^ "Kelly Khumalo enjoys number one song success — The Citizen". The Citizen. 28 October 2020. Retrieved 21 November 2021.
- ^ F Kays (11 September 2020). "Listen | Kelly Khumalo on new single and album, The Voice of Africa". Celebs Now. Retrieved 21 November 2021.
- ^ "Kelly Khumalo's 'Esphambanweni' hits the number 1 spot on 3 charts". Independent Online. 12 November 2020. Retrieved 21 November 2021.
- ^ Zwane, Nokuthula (20 May 2022). "Kelly Khumalo celebrates her album going gold | Channel". South Africa: Channel. Retrieved 21 May 2022.
- ^ Darangwa, Shingai (21 May 2022). "WATCH: Kelly Khumalo awarded several gold and platinum plaques". Independent Online. Retrieved 21 May 2022.
- ^ "The Voice of Africa - Kelly Khumalo | Credits | AllMusic". AllMusic. Retrieved 20 November 2021.
- ^ Dayile, Qhama (31 July 2021). "Here's the full list of the SAMA winners | Drum". South Africa: News24. Retrieved 21 November 2021.
- ^ a b de Wee, Naledi (17 November 2021). "Kelly Khumalo stuns with live version of 'The Voice of Africa' album [watch]". The South African. Retrieved 21 November 2021.
- ^ a b Darangwa, Shingai (16 November 2021). "Kelly Khumalo releases live version of her brilliant album, 'The Voice of Africa'". Independent Online. Retrieved 21 November 2021.
- ^ "South Africa certifications". Recording Industry of South Africa. Retrieved 13 December 2022.
- ^ "The Voice Of Africa by Kelly Khumalo on Apple Music". Apple Music. 9 October 2021. Retrieved 20 November 2021.
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