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Zwai Bala (born 15 February 1975) is a South African kwaito and gospel musician.
Zwai Bala | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Mzwandile Bala |
| Born | 15 February 1975 Uitenhage, Eastern Cape, South Africa |
| Genres | Kwaito, Gospel |
| Occupation(s) | Rapper, singer, actor |
| Years active | 1997–present |
| Member of | |
Education edit
Bala studied at the Drakensberg Boys' Choir School, near Winterton, KwaZulu-Natal, and matriculated at St Stithians College in 1994. He then pursued an online Master's Certificate in Orchestration for Film and Television at Berklee College of Music in Boston.[1] He came to public attention in 1997 as a member of the kwaito group TKZee.[2]
Career edit
When he was 11 years old, he entered The Shell Road to Fame talent show and reached the semi-finals. Together with school friends Kabelo Mabalane and Tokollo Tshabalala, he formed kwaito group TKZee. TKZee released their singles "Take It Eezy", holiday hit "Phalafala" and their top-selling "Shibobo",[3] which featured South Africa national football team player Benni McCarthy. Later, Bala began a solo musical career.
As a music director and producer, Bala has worked on musicals featuring Ali Campbell of UB40,[4] produced Grace from the two-time Grammy award-winning Soweto Gospel Choir,[5] and has been the featured soloist at the Classical FM–Lexus Soiree at the Sandton Intercontinental.[citation needed]
He was a celebrity contestant on the first season of the SABC 2 reality competition Strictly Come Dancing in 2006, partnered with professional ballroom dancer Kego Motshabi. The pair finished third.[6]
Songs edit
Bala's recorded music include:
- Ndize
- Umlilo-Masibase
- All I Do
- Black 'N Proud
- Ndiredi
- Moody's Mood For Love
- Nozamile
- Vuk'uzenzele
- Play That Music
- Kuyasa
- Ikhaya
- Bash'abafana
- Tino Tino
- Folkfanse-My Heritage
- Hand Prints
- Circle of Life
- Solo
- Soccer
- Gux Duo
- Niceland-Guguletu
- Everyone Can Drum
- Noble Peace
- Noyana
Television edit
His television appearances include:[2]
- All You Need Is Love – Season 2 – Host
- Clash of the Choirs South Africa – Season 1 – Choir Master
- Clash of the Choirs South Africa – Season 3 – Guest Judge
- Popstars – Season 2, 3 and 4 – Judge
- Pump Up The Volume – Season 1 – Judge
- Red Cake – Not the Cooking Show – Season 1 – Houseband leader
Awards edit
In 2002 he received a South African Music Award (SAMA) For his single "Lifted"[1] and in 2019 he, along with fellow TKZee members Kabelo Mabalane and Tokollo Tshabalala, received a SAMA award for Lifetime Achievement.[7]
References edit
- ^ a b James, Kamoche (10 April 2018). "Zwai Bala Biography".
- ^ a b "Zwai Bala | TVSA". www.tvsa.co.za.
- ^ "SAMusic".
- ^ "Ali Campbell – The Legendary Voice Of UB40 Reunited with Astro & Mickey release new album "Silhouette" ahead of Australian tour in December". Cooking Vinyl. Archived from the original on 10 September 2016. Retrieved 25 September 2014.
- ^ "Grace – The Soweto Gospel Choir | Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic.
- ^ "Strictly Come Dancing South Africa – Episode 1". Timely Passion.
- ^ "TKZee's journey to being awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award". KAYA FM. 4 June 2019.