Babes Wodumo

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Wodumo Babes
Born
Bongekile Simelane

(1994-03-26) March 26, 1994 (age 28)
Durban, South Africa
Other namesGqom Queen
CitizenshipSouth Africa
Occupation
  • Singer
  • Choreographer
  • Dancer
Years active2016–present
Spouse(s)
​
(m. 2020)​
[1]
Children1
Parent(s)
  • Welcome Simelane (father)

Bongekile Simelane (born March 26, 1994), better known as Babes Wodumo is a South African gqom artist and choreographer.[2] She rose to fame following the release of her breakthrough song "Wololo", in 2016. The song later appeared on her debut studio album, Gqom Queen, released in late 2016.[3]

Babes Wodumo is a part of the music connoisseurs who were pivotal in influencing the genre's international acclaim included the likes of South African rapper Okmalumkoolkat, Italian record label Gqom Oh owner, Malumqawz Kole[4] inclusive of music taste-makeraand public relations liaison, Cherish Lala Mankai[4] and Afrotainment record label owner DJ Tira. She appeared on Black Panther: The Album on a song called "Redemption".[3] In 2017, Wodumo was nominated for the BET Award for Best International Act: Africa.[5] In July 2020, she released her second album Idando Kazi.[6] She is Lisakhanya Notyesi's aunt.

Life and career[edit]

1994-2013: Early childhood[edit]

Bongekile Simelane was born in March 25, 1994, Lamontville, Chatsworth. Her father Welcome Simelane is a Bishop.

2014-2019: Career beginnings, breakthrough, Black Panther[edit]

She released her first song titled "Desha" produced by Sir Bubzin, In 2014. After she signed a record deal with West Ink, her breakthrough hit single "Wololo" featuring Mampintsha was released in December 2015 in South Africa.[7] The song earned her nomination for Best Breakthrough Artist and Song of the Year at MTV Africa Music Awards.[8]

Her debut studio album Gqom Queen Vol. 1 blended with Gqom was released. The album proceeded with three singles "Wololo", "Umgan Wami" and "Mercedes". Upon its release the song surpassed 28 million streams and debuted at number 3 on iTunes charts.[9][10] The album was certified platinum (RiSA) for South Africa sales 30 0000.

Her album created her the opportunity to feature on the Black Panther album by Kendrick Lamar.

2020-present: Idando Kazi[edit]

On 24 July 2020, she released her second studio album Idando Kazi,[11] features Mampintsha, Skillz, T.N.S, Worst Behavior and many others.[12] The "eLamont" was released as the lead single of the album features Mampintsha and Skillz debuted at number 3 on South African iTunes charts.

At 27th South African Music Awards Idando Kazi received a nominations. In 2021 she and his husband launched their reality show Uthando Lodumo which airs on Showmax.[13]

Personal life[edit]

Domestic violence case[edit]

On 3 March 2019, reports surfaced that Wodumo's boyfriend and manager Mandla "Mampintsha" Maphumulo had physically assaulted her. Wodumo broadcast the incident on Instagram Live. Mampintsha was arrested on suspicion of assault.[14] Even though the relationship between the two had appeared to be over, both parties agreed to counselling and reconciled and are on good terms, with Mampintsha appearing on her second album Idando Kazi.[6]

Marriage and children[edit]

Babes Wodumo married Mandla Maphumulo in 2020. In 2021 they had their first child, even though Babes' parents didn't know. They had a reality show, "uthando lodumo," which premiered on Showmax channel (495)

SAMAs[edit]

In 2017, Wodumo was the most nominated artist at the 23rd South African Music Awards. However, she did not win any award, and this led to an altercation after the singer accused the personnel from the SAMA 23 of buying awards.[15]

Discography[edit]

Studio albums[edit]

In 2016, Babes released her breakthrough album where she featured Mampintsha in all the songs on the project. The album also features Nigerian superstar D'banj, Madanon, Cassper Nyovest, DJ Sox, Sparks Wabantwana, Scoop, Kholwane, Khuzani, Danger & DJ Tira

In July 2020, she released her second project, titled Indando Kazi, where she featured mostly Mampintsha on 10 out of the 13 tracks. Other artists include RockBoy, Cultivated Soulz & Sizwe Mdlalose, Rhythm Soundz, Dladla Mshunqisi, and Tipcee, among others.

List of studio albums
Title Album details Certification
Gqom Queen Vol.1[16] RiSA: Gold
Indando Kazi[6]

Singles[edit]

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[edit]

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

References[edit]

  1. ^ "Babes Wodumo and Mampintsha tie the knot in traditional wedding". Independent Online.
  2. ^ Orkant-Wena Wodumo Entertainment-celebrities/1251888/8-things-to-know-about-babes-wodumo/ 8 things to know about Babes Wodumo Tshepiso Makhele
  3. ^ a b Babes Wodumo on Her Appearance for 'Black Panther: The Album': 'I'm So Happy. It's Such a Privilege' billboard.com Sowmya Krishnamurthy, 2/20/2018
  4. ^ a b Weichenrieder, Philipp (19 April 2016). "Gqom-Musik aus Südafrika". Taz.de.
  5. ^ 2017 BET Awards Billboard
  6. ^ a b c "Babes drops new album, fans unimpressed with Mampintsha feature". IOL South Africa. 24 July 2020. Retrieved 24 July 2020.
  7. ^ "Who is Babes Wodumo and what's a Wololo? | Channel". South Africa: Channel. Retrieved 26 Jul 2016.
  8. ^ "Babes Wodumo - OkayAfrica - 100 Women". OkayAfrica. Retrieved 27 February 2018.
  9. ^ "Babes Wodumo's 1st album finally out – The Chronicle". The Chronicle. Retrieved 26 November 2016.
  10. ^ Jabulani, John (19 September 2020). "Babes Wodumo Wins Big With First Album". Ubetoo.
  11. ^ "Babes Wodumo opens up about her new album 'Idando Kazi' | The Citizen". The Citizen. 27 July 2020.
  12. ^ Ntsinde, Mandisa (24 July 2020). "Babes Wodumo Returns To Music With New Album Titled "Idando Kazi"". Zkhiphani.
  13. ^ Seemela, Masego (30 June 2021). "Uthando Lodumo': Babes Wodumo and Mampintsha's reality series a hit with viewers". Sowetan LIVE.
  14. ^ Mampintsha arrested for alleged assault of Babes Wodumo on iol.co.za
  15. ^ "West Ink apologises for Samas "outburst"".
  16. ^ "Gqom Queen, Vol. 1 Album by Babes Wodumo | MyMuze". My Muze. Retrieved 2020-07-25.
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