Busiswa
  • Busiswa

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Busiswa Biography

Busiswa Gqulu (born 8 November 1988), known mononymously as Busiswa or Busi, is a South African singer-songwriter and poet. Born in Mthatha, Eastern Cape, South Africa, she gained public recognition for her feature on DJ Zinhle's song, "My Name Is", after being discovered by Kalawa Jazmee's CEO Oskido.

Busiswa


Birth name
Busiswa Gqulu
Born
8 November 1988 (age 34)
Mthatha, Eastern Cape, South Africa
Genres
Kwaito Gqom Amapiano
Occupation(s)
Singersongwriterpoet
Instrument(s)
bozza
Years active
2008–present
Labels
Kalawa Jazmee Records
Universal Records

After a successful collaboration with DJ Zinhle, she released hits singles includes; "Ngoku", "Lahla", and was featured on Bhizer's hit, "Gobisiqolo". On 8 December 2017, she released her debut album, Highly Flavoured, preceded by single, "Bazoyenza". Throughout her career, Gqulu has received numerous accolades. In 2014, she was named in the Mail & Guardian 200 Young South Africans.


Career

2011–2012: Career beginnings


While performing at live poetry readings, she met a befriend who introduced her to Sir Bubzin. Sir Bubzin invited her while producing the song "Syaphambana". He then suggested to feature her in performing her poems on the track.Gqulu and Sir Bubzin were later signed to Kalawa Record by the CEO, Oskido, after he heard the song. The song was later released on the first Kalawa Jazmee Dance compilation in 2011. Later that year, Gqulu was called by Oskido to record "My Name Is Busiswa" which was produced by DJ Zintle.

The collaboration resulted in a co-writing credit for Gqulu. After recording the song in 2011, she moved to Johannesburg in signing with Kalawa Jazmee Records. The song was a hit and It received extensive airplays in South African radio stations since its release. Gqulu got gigs in several countries, including Zimbabwe, Angola, and Namibia. The song earned nominees at the Channel O Africa Music Video Award including Most Gifted Dance Video and Video of the Year. The song scoped another nomination at the South African Music Award for Record of the Year.

2013–2016: Ngoku and Clash of Choirs

"Ngoku" was released on 11 March 2013 as a non-album single on iTunes. The song was accompanied by a video released on YouTube. "Ngoku" became a dance hit with its catchy chorus. The track got several airplays and was commercially successful. Gqulu promoted the single by performing it on e.tv music show Club808, with Oskido. At the 2014 Channel O Africa Music Video Award, the song won Most Gifted Dance category and she performed the song later in the awards ceremony.

In November 2013, Gqulu released a single, "Lahla"featuring Dj Bucks and Uhuru. The song's video accumulated 1 million+ views on YouTube. Gqulu along with Dj Bucks, performed the song live on SABC1 music show Live Amp. She also performed the song at the 2015 Metro FM Awards.

In September 2016, Gqulu joined the fourth season of Clash of the Choirs, as a Choirmaster with Kelly Khumalo,[30] Anele Mdoda, JR, Bucie,Sifiso Ncwane and IFANI. She was the choirmaster of the KwaZulu-Natal.Her team was eliminated after a battle with team Western Cape led by IFANI.

2017–2019: Highly Flavoured and Summer Life

In August 2017, Gqulu announced that her debut album would be entitled Highly Flavoured. Throughout the remainder of 2017, Gqulu was featured on several singles including Tipcee "Isichathulo" and Dj Maphorisa "Vuvushka" and "Midnight Starring. "Bazoyenza" was released as the lead single for the album. Gqulu released her debut album Highly Flavoured, which features DJ Maphorisa, Busi N, DJ Athie, Da Fre, DJ Toxic, Nokwazi, Moozlie, Lando and Yasirah. The album was nominated at the South African Music Awards for Best Kwaito Album and for Best Female Artist.

Gqulu officially announced her second studio album release, Summer Life, on her Instagram account; the album was released on 12 November 2018, independently, under Ngqulu new, own company Busiswa Entertainment. On 31 August, Prince Kaybee released "Banomoya" featuring Busiswa and TNS.

In 2019, Ngqulu received two nomination at the 25th South African Music Awards, in the Best Dance Album category for her critical acclaimed album Summer Life and Best Female Category. Also in 2019, Busiswa featured on Beyoncé's The Lion King: The Gift album, on the track "My Power".

2020-Present: AmaPiano crossover and My Side Of The Story

In 2020, she collaborated with South African Amapiano musician, Gaba Cannal on the single Umhlaba Wonke. In that same year, she released her 3rd studio album titled My Side Of The Story which was built of AmaPiano songs, a departure from her dance and Gqom sounds also crossing over to AmaPiano. The album was supported by two singles, "Sbwl" which featured Kamo Mphela and "Makazi" in which she featured Mr JazziQ.

At the MTV Africa Music Awards, she received a nomination for Best Female act.

Personal life

Gqulu spent her early years under the care and guidance of her late mother and grandmother who were a great influence in shaping her strong personality. On 8 November 2017, she revealed that she was pregnant on her Instagram account. On 8 January 2018, Gqulu gave birth to a son, Lakhanya Gqulu.

In March 2021, her own-created documentary-reality show title "Her Majesty: Busiswa" premiered on BET Africa.

Other ventures

In addition to her music and poetry, Busiswa also works for Art for Humanity (AFH) where she provides workshops for school children, as a means to help develop an appreciation for poetry and the visual arts. Gqulu also works with the Umlazi District Department of Education's Youth Development Office, tutoring learners on public speaking, debating and performance poetry.


Discography

Highly Flavoured (2017)
Summer Life (2018)
My Side Of The Story (2020)

List of awards and nominations received by Busiswa

Busiswa is a South African singer, and songwriter. She gained public recognition for featuring on DJ Zinhle's Song "My Name Is", after being discovered by Kalawa Jazmee CEO, Oskido.Since then, she has released two studio albums Highly Flavored and Summer Life.

Busiswa awards and nominations
Awards and nominations
Award
Wins
Nominations
Totals[a]
Wins
4
Nominations
12
Note
Certain award groups do not simply award one winner. They recognize several different recipients, have runners-up, and have third place. Since this is a specific recognition and is different from losing an award, runner-up mentions are considered wins in this award tally. For simplification and to avoid errors, each award in this list has been presumed to have had a prior nomination.
Busiswa's contribution to the South African music industry has garnered her multiple awards and nominations in several music award South African Music Awards, Metro FM Music Awards, the Channel O Music Video Awards and MTV Africa Music Award In 2012, she was named in the Mail and Guardian's Top 200 Young South Africans.

200 Young South Africans.

South African Music Awards


The South African Music Awards (also known as The SAMAs) are the Recording Industry of South Africa's music industry awards, established in 1995.
Year Nominee / work Award Result
2012 My Name Is" Record of the year Nominated
2018 Highly Flavored Best Kwaito Album Won
Herself Best Female Artist Nominated
2019 Summer Life Best Dance Album Nominated
Busiswa Best Female artist Nominated

Metro FM Awards

Metro FM Music Awards is an annual awards ceremony that was established in 2000 by Metro FM with the aim of offering its listeners to honour their favorite South African artists. Busiswa has received one award nominations.
Year Nominee / work Award Result
2014 Visa Best Music Video Nominated

All Africa Music Awards

Year Nominee / work Award Result
2015 Busiswa Best Female (Southern Africa) Won

Channel O Africa Music Video Award

First held in 2003 as Reel Music Video Awards, the Channel O Africa Music Video Awards are Pan-African music awards organised by South Africa-based television channel Channel O. Busiswa has won the award once.
Year Nominee / work Award Result
2012 My Name Is Most Gifted Dance category Nominated
Music Video of the year Nominated
2013 Ngoku Most Gifted Dance category Won

Mtv Africa Music Awards

The MTV Africa Music Awards were established in 2008 by MTV Networks Africa to celebrate the most popular contemporary music in Africa.
Year Nominee / work Award Result
2015 Herself Best Female Nominated

Feather Awards

Year Nominee / work Award Result
2019 Herself Musician of the Year Won

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