Kelly Khumalo facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Kelly Khumalo
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| Nonhlanhla | |
Khumalo on a Podcast & Chill With MacG interview
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Kelly Nonhlanhla Khumalo
11 November 1984 Vosloorus, Gauteng, South Africa
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| Other names | Voice of Africa |
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| Years active | 2004–present |
| Television | Life with Kelly Khumalo
Rhythm City Zulu Wedding |
| Partner(s) | Senzo Meyiwa (until his death; 2014) Jub Jub (until; 2011) Chad da Don |
| Children | 3 |
Kelly Nonhlanhla Khumalo (born 11 November 1984) is a famous South African singer, actress, and TV star. She was born in Vosloorus and grew up in Nquthu, KwaZulu-Natal.
Kelly was discovered when she sang at a gospel talent show. She signed a record deal and released her first album, T.K.O, in 2005. This album made her very popular. She was even named the Best Newcomer in Afro Pop music that year.
Her album The Voice of Africa (2020) mixed R&B, gospel, and Afro pop music. This album became a gold-selling hit in South Africa.
Contents
Kelly Khumalo's Music Journey
Kelly Khumalo started her music career in 2004. She has released many successful albums. Her songs often blend different styles like Afro pop, R&B, and gospel.
Early Albums and Awards
Kelly's first album, T.K.O, came out on August 19, 2005. It quickly made her a star. The album earned her two nominations at the 2006 South African Music Awards. These were for Song of the Year and Best Afro Pop Album.
Her second album, Itshitshi, was released on September 27, 2006. She continued to release music, including Siyajabula in 2007 and Simply Kelly in 2008.
Award-Winning Music
On November 5, 2012, Kelly released The Past, The Present, The Future. This album was a big success. At the 19th South African Music Awards in 2013, she won the Best Female Artist of the Year award. The album was also nominated for Album of the Year.
In October 2014, she released the song "Asine". It was nominated for Song of The Year at the Metro FM Awards in 2015. Her album Back to My Roots was also nominated for awards.
Kelly's seventh album, My Truth, came out on October 28, 2016. It won Best Female Album at the 2017 Metro FM Awards. In 2018, she released her eighth album, Unleashed.
The Voice of Africa and Recent Work
On August 28, 2020, Kelly released "Empini". This song became a huge hit. It was certified gold in South Africa and got millions of views online. Her ninth album, The Voice of Africa, was released on October 9, 2020. This album also went gold.
Another popular song from the album was "Esiphambaweni". It featured singer Hlengiwe Mhlaba and reached number one on the gospel charts. In 2021, Kelly recorded a live version of The Voice of Africa.
In April 2022, Kelly held her first Gospel Explosion Concert in Johannesburg. It was so popular that she added another show. In late 2022, she announced her From a God to a King tour. Her tenth album, also called From a God to a King, was released on February 14, 2023.
Kelly Khumalo on TV
Kelly Khumalo is also a well-known TV personality. In 2021, her own reality show, Life with Kelly Khumalo, started airing on Showmax.
She has also appeared in other TV shows. In September 2021, she was on the soapie House of Zwide. She also became a judge on Stand Up S.A. and a guest judge on Idols South Africa season 17. In 2022, she competed on Tropika Island of Treasure.
Discography
Studio albums
| Title | Album details | Certifications |
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| TKO |
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| Itshitshi |
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| Siyajabula |
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| Simply Kelly |
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| The Past,The Present,The Future |
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| Back to My Roots |
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| My Truth |
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| Unleashed |
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| The Voice of Africa |
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| From a God to a King |
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Singles
| Title | Year | Peak chart positions | Certifications | Album |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| RSA |
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| Undithatha Kancani | 2019 | The Voice Of Africa | ||
| "Empini" | 2020 | 1 | 4× Platinum | |
| "Esiphambanweni" (featuring Hlengiwe Mhlaba) | 1 | 2× Platinum | ||
| "Ngathwala Ngaye" (featuring Mondli Ngcobo) | 2021 | Platinum |
Filmography
- Zulu Wedding (2017)
- Life with Kelly Khumalo (2021)
- Stand Up South Africa as Judge
- Idols South Africa as Guest Judge
- Rhythm City" as Sunay
Awards and Nominations
Kelly Khumalo has won and been nominated for many awards throughout her career. Here are some of them:
| Year | Award Ceremony | Nominated work | Result | Ref. |
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| 2013 | SAMA | Best Female Artist | Won | |
| Album of the Year | Nominated | |||
| Best African Adult Album | Nominated | |||
| Best Maskandi Album | Nominated | |||
| 2015 | 14th Metro FM Awards | Song of the Year | Nominated | |
| Best Afro Pop album | Nominated | |||
| 2019 | 25th SAMA | Female Artist of the Year | Nominated | |
| Best Afro Pop Album | Nominated | |||
| 2020 | 1st KZNEA | Best Female Artist of the Year | Nominated | |
| 2021 | 27th SAMA | Best Afro pop Album | Nominated | |
| Record of the Year | Nominated | |||
| Saafma | Best Song of the Year |  Cancelled |
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| Best Female Artist | Cancelled |
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| Best Collaboration | Cancelled |
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| 2021 | All Africa Music Awards | Songwriter of the Year | Nominated | |
| Best Female Artist in African Inspirational Music | Nominated | |||
| Best Female Artist in South Africa | Nominated | |||
| 2023 | Basadi in Music Awards | Afro Pop Artist of the Year | Won | |
| SAMA | Female Artist of the Year | Nominated | ||
| Best Afro-pop Album | Nominated | |||
| 2024 | Basadi in Music Awards | Sofnfree Afro Pop Artist of the Year | Nominated | |
| Best Styled Artist of the Year | Nominated | |||
| Music Video of the Year | Nominated |
