Babes Wodumo facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Babes Wodumo
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| Birth name | Bongekile Mildred Simelane |
| Born | March 25, 1994 Durban, South Africa |
| Genres | Gqom |
| Occupation(s) |
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| Years active | 2016–present |
| Labels |
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| Associated acts | Major Lazer, Kendrick Lamar |
Bongekile Mildred Simelane (born March 25, 1994), known as Babes Wodumo, is a famous South African singer, songwriter, and dancer. She is sometimes called the "gqom queen." She became well-known after releasing her first album, Gqom Queen, Vol. 1, in 2016. This album even earned her a nomination for an MTV Europe Music Award for Best African Act.
Babes Wodumo played a big part in making the gqom music style popular around the world. She was featured on the Black Panther: The Album by Kendrick Lamar with a song called "Redemption." In 2017, she was nominated for a BET Award for Best International Act: Africa. In July 2020, she released her second album, Idando Kazi. This album included the popular song "eLamont," which featured Mampintsha and Skillz.
Contents
Life and Music Career
Early Life and Beginnings (1994-2013)
Bongekile Mildred Simelane was born on March 25, 1994. Her hometown is Lamontville, which is in Durban, South Africa. Her father, Welcome Simelane, is a Bishop.
Rising to Fame (2014-2019)
Babes Wodumo released her first song, "Desha," in 2014. It was produced by Sir Bubzin. She later signed a music deal with West Ink. In December 2015, her hit song "Wololo" came out. This song featured Mampintsha and became very popular in South Africa. "Wololo" helped her get nominated for Best Breakthrough Artist and Song of the Year at the MTV Africa Music Awards.
Her first gqom album, Gqom Queen Vol. 1, followed. It included the songs "Wololo," "Umgan Wami," and "Mercedes." The album was streamed over 28 million times. It also reached number 3 on the iTunes music charts. The album was certified platinum by RISA, meaning it sold a lot of copies.
Later, she was featured on the Black Panther soundtrack. This was a big achievement for her.
Recent Projects (2020-Present)
In July 2020, Babes Wodumo released her second album, Idando Kazi. It was released through West Ink Records. The album featured many artists like Mampintsha, Skillz, T.N.S, Madanon, and Worst Behavior. The song "eLamont" was the main single from the album. It reached number 3 on the South African iTunes charts.
Idando Kazi was nominated at the 27th South African Music Awards. In 2021, Babes Wodumo and her husband started their own reality TV show. The show is called Uthando Lodumo and aired on Showmax.
Personal Life
Marriage and Family
Babes Wodumo married Mandla Maphumulo in 2020. In 2021, they welcomed their first child together. Sadly, her husband and music partner passed away in December 2022. Reports stated he passed away due to a stroke.
Music Awards Nominations
In 2017, Babes Wodumo received many nominations at the 23rd South African Music Awards. Even though she was nominated for several awards, she did not win any that year.
Music Albums
Studio Albums
- Gqom Queen Vol.1
- Indando Kazi
| Title | Album details | Certification |
|---|---|---|
| Gqom Queen Vol.1 |
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RiSA: Gold |
| Indando Kazi |
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Singles
| Artist | Featuring | Title |
|---|---|---|
| Babes Wodumo | featuring Mampintsha and Sklliz | eLamont |
| Babes Wodumo | featuring Mampintsha, TNS and Skillz | Abadala |
| Babes Wodumo | featuring Rhythm Soundz, Dladla Mshunqisi and Tipcee | Angeke |
| Babes Wodumo | featuring Mampintsha and Worst Behavior | Corona |
| Babes Wodumo | featuring Mampintsha and Drega | Dankie Jack |
| Babes Wodumo | featuring Mampintsha, Madanon and Drega | Intombi Yesgebengu |
| Babes Wodumo | featuring Mampintsha, RockBoy, Cultivated Soulz and Sizwe Mdlalose | Izitha |
| Babes Wodumo | feat. Native Life, Madanon and Mampintsha | Levels |
| Babes Wodumo | featuring Drega and Sizwe Mdlalos | MaTen Ten |
| Babes Wodumo | featuring RockBoy, Madanon and Benzy | Umzimba |
| Babes Wodumo | featuring RockBoy, Madanon and Benzy | Umzimba |
| Babes Wodumo | featuring RockBoy, Madanon and Benzy | Umzimba |
| Babes Wodumo | featuring Newlandz Finest | Ungangyeki |
Awards and Nominations
| Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 16th Metro FM Music Awards | Gqom Queen Vol.1 | Best Dance Album | Nominated |
| Gqom Queen Vol.1 | Best Female Album | Nominated | |
| Wololo (feat. Mampintsha & Distruction Boyz | Song Of The Year) | Nominated | |
| 23rd South African Music Awards | Herself | Newcomer Of The Year | Nominated |
| Female Artist Of The Year | Herself | Nominated | |
| Wololo (feat. Mampintsha & Distruction Boyz) | Record Of The Year | Nominated | |
| Gqom Queen Vol.1 | Album of the Year | Nominated | |
| Female Artist Of The Year | Herself | Nominated | |
| MTV Africa Music Awards 2016 | Song Of The Year | Wololo (feat. Mampintsha and Distruction Boyz) | Nominated |
| BET Awards 2017 | Herself | Best International Act: Africa | Nominated |
| Dance Music Awards 2017 | Gqom Queen Vol.1 | Best Dance Female Artist | Won |
| 2017MTV EMA | Herself | Best African Act | Nominated |
| All African Music Awards 2018 | Herself | Best Female Artiste in Southern Africa | Nominated |
| South African Gqom Awards 2019 | Ka Dazz | Song Of The Year | Nominated |
| Herself | Best Female | Won | |
| Ka Dazz | Best Music Video | Nominated | |
| Ka Dazz | Best Music Video Director | Nominated | |
| 27th South African Music Awards | Idando Kazi | Best Gqom Album | Nominated |
