Nomcebo Nothule Zikode (born 28 October 1985)[1] is a South African singer and songwriter. Born in Hammarsdale, Zikode was a backing singer for several years. She collaborated with DJ Ganyani on their hit single "Emazulwini" (2018).

Nomcebo Zikode
Birth nameNomcebo Nothule Zikode
Born (1985-10-28) 28 October 1985 (age 38)
Hammarsdale, KwaZulu-Natal, Republic of South Africa
OriginJohannesburg
GenresHouse, Afro house
OccupationSinger-songwriter
Instrumentvocals
Years active2005–present
Labels
  • Ganyani Entertainment (former)
  • Open Mic Productions (former)
  • Sony

Having signed a record deal with Open Mic Production, she co-wrote and was featured on Master KG's chart-topping single "Jerusalema" (2019), which debuted number 1 on Billboard Music charts and Apple Music charts .[2]

Her debut album Xola Moya Wam was released in 2020, containing two successful singles, "Xola Moya wam" and "Bayabuza".

Life and career

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Early life and education

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Zikode was born in Hammarsdale, Province of Natal.[3] She matriculated at Ukusa High School, later enrolling at Havatech College, obtaining an information technology degree.[4]

Career beginnings

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After moving from home to pursue a career in music, she worked mostly as a backing singer for more than fifteen years. She worked with South African artistes, including Deborah Fraser, Zahara, Lundi Tyamara, and Nhlanhla Nciza.

She was signed by Ganyani Entertainment, providing vocals for songs including "NTO", "Jabulile", and "Emazulwini", which received a nomination for Record of the Year at the SAMA awards.[5] As she did not own the songs, she was not permitted to perform them without the consent of the label.[6]

Having signed record deal with Open Mic Productions, she gained worldwide popularity after working with Master KG on his 2019 hit single "Jerusalema" and later remixed by Burna Boy, debuted #1 on Billboard Music charts.[7][8][9]

2020-present:Xola Moya Wam

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On August 14, 2020, her single "Xola Moya Wam" featuring Master KG was released as album's lead single. The song was certified gold certification by Recording Industry of South Africa in the first 2 weeks.[10][11] The single peaked number 1 on Apple Music Chart & iTunes Chart.[12] In early August, album pre-order were made available.

Her debut studio album Xola Moya Wam was released on August 21, 2020.[13][14][15] It features Master KG, Makhadzi and Bongo Beats.[16][17][18] The album was certified platinum after a month of its release with sales of 150 000 copies.[19]

In 2020, Zikode signed a global record deal with Sony/ATV Music.[20][21]

On December 3, 2020, she won at the 1st KZN Entertainment Awards of KZN Entertainment Awards for Best Female Artist category.[22]

At the 27th South African Music Awards, Xola Moya Wam was nominated as Best Dance Album.

On July 29, 2021, she went on European tour.[23] In late 2021, she made her debut on screens as guest appearance on Love and Hip Hop franchise.[24]

Controversy

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In November 2019, she was featured on "Jerusalema" single by Master KG and went viral in early 2020, Burna Boy released a remix.[25] On July 11, 2021, Zikode revealed that she wasn't paid for her feature on the song by her label Open Mic Productions.[26]

Endorsement

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In 2021, Zikode was named a Good Ambassador for AIDONIC.[27]

Tours

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Headlining

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  • European Tour (2021)[28]

Discography

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Studio albums

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Title Year Peak chart positions Certifications Album
SA
[29]
AUT
[30]
BEL (FL)
[31]
BEL (WA)
[32]
FRA
[33]
GER
[34]
NL
[35]
SWE
[36]
SWI
[37]
UK
[38]
Emazulwini
(DJ Ganyani featuring Zikode)
2019 43 123 Ganyani’s House Grooves 10
"Jerusalema"
(Master KG featuring Zikode)
2020 1 2 1 1 2 3 2 31 1 55 Jerusalema
"Ishephisi Ejezini" (Mthandeni SK featuring Nomcebo Zikode) 2024 10[42] Non-album single
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released.
Others
  • "Jerusalema" (remix) - (Master KG feat. Burna Boy & Nomcebo Zikode) (2020)
  • "Jerusalema" (remix) - Master KG feat. Micro TDH & Greeicy & Nomcebo Zikode (2020)

Personal life

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Zikode is married to Selwyn Fraser and has two children.[43]

Awards and nominations

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Year Awards Category Results Ref.
2020 1st KZNEA Best female artist Won [44]
2021 27th SAMAs Best Female Artist Nominated [45]
Best dance Album Nominated
Record of the Year Nominated
Net Honours Most Played Alternative Song - "Jerusalema (Remix)"

(Master KG featuring Nomcebo Zikode & Burna Boy)

Nominated [46]
All Africa Music Awards Best Female Artist in South Africa Pending [47]
African Fans' Favourite Pending
2022 Grammy Awards Best Global Performance Won [48]
2023 Forbes Woman Africa Awards Top Entertainer Won
SAMA International Achievement Won
2024 Basadi in Music Awards Artist of the Year Nominated

References

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  1. ^ "HDS Ent: Nomcebo Zikode". hdsentertainment. Retrieved 1 November 2020.
  2. ^ Ntombizodwa, Makhoba. "Master KG and Nomcebo Zikode's Jerusalema is officially a global hit!". News 24. Retrieved 31 August 2020.
  3. ^ "Nomcebo Zikode biography, profile, age, married, & place of birth". thenation.co.za. 17 June 2020. Retrieved 5 September 2020.
  4. ^ "Nomcebo Zikode Biography: Exclusive, New Single, Ambassador, Age, Early Life, Education, Career, Jerusalema". zalebs. 11 September 2020.
  5. ^ "DJ Ganyani's 'Emazulwini' music video, featuring Nomcebo, reaches two million views". Just Nje. Retrieved 31 August 2020.
  6. ^ Aubrey Mothobeni. "DJ Ganyani, protégé sing a different tune". Sowetan Live. Retrieved 31 August 2020.
  7. ^ "Burna Boy". Billboard.
  8. ^ Emmanuel Tjiya. "How hit song Jerusalema redeemed Nomcebo". Sowetan Live. Retrieved 31 August 2020.
  9. ^ Nikita Coetzee. "How Jerusalema vocalist Nomcebo Zikode went from singing backup to taking centre stage". Channel 24. Retrieved 31 August 2020.
  10. ^ Denika Herbst (3 September 2020). "Nomcebo Zikode rejoices as her new single reaches gold status". briefly.co.za.
  11. ^ "Nomcebo's "Xola Moya Wam" Goes Gold - ZAlebs". zalebs.com. 3 September 2020.
  12. ^ "Xola Moya Wam' (feat. Master KG)". www.top-charts.com.
  13. ^ Sabelo Mkhabela (8 September 2020). "Jerusalema' Hit-Maker Nomcebo Zikode Releases Her Solo Album 'Xola Moya Wam'". okayafrica.
  14. ^ John (17 August 2020). "Nomcebo Zikode "Xola Moya Wam" Album ReleaseDate, Tracklist, Artwork & Pre-add". ubetoo.
  15. ^ "Nomcebo Zikode releases new debut album 'Xola Moya Wam'". SA Music Magazine. Retrieved 21 August 2020.
  16. ^ "Nomcebo Zikode and Master KG collaborate on new single, Xola Moya Wam'". Just Nje. Retrieved 31 August 2020.
  17. ^ Mpiletso Motumi. "Nomcebo Zikode rides wave of Jerusalema success with new album release". Mpiletso Motumi. IOL. Retrieved 31 August 2020.
  18. ^ Mxolisi Mngadi. "Master KG praises Nomcebo Zikode's new song titled Xola Moya Wam'". Briefly. Retrieved 31 August 2020.
  19. ^ "#MusicNews: Nomcebo Zikode Collects Platinum Plaque For Debut Album, "Xola Moya Wami"". 19 January 2021.
  20. ^ "'Jerusalema' star Nomcebo Zikode signs an exclusive global deal with Sony". www.iol.co.za.
  21. ^ Coetzee, Nikita. "Jerusalema vocalist Nomcebo Zikode bags global publishing deal". Channel.
  22. ^ Asala, Kizzi (18 December 2020). "South African 'Jerusalema' Singer Nomcebo Zikode Wins KZN Award". Africa News.
  23. ^ Lwandle, Sibusisiwe (5 July 2021). "Sebenza Gal: Nomcebo Zikode to Kick Off European Tour Soon". Briefly.
  24. ^ Grootboom, Jamal. "Nomcebo Zikode to make an appearance on 'Love and Hip Hop'". Independent Online. Retrieved 16 September 2021.
  25. ^ Tjiya, Emmanuel (11 July 2021). "No peace in Jerusalema as Open Mic fires back at Nomcebo over royalties". Sowetan LIVE.
  26. ^ "Nomcebo Zikode: "I have not been paid a cent by the label for Jerusalema" | Truelove". News24. South Africa. 11 July 2021.
  27. ^ Bukola (20 May 2021). "Nomcebo Zikode announced as Good Ambassador for AIDONIC". Fakaza News.
  28. ^ Bukola (1 July 2021). "Nomcebo Zikode to start her first European tour soon | Fakaza News". Fakaza News.
  29. ^ "South Africa - Radio airplay chart". Radiomonitor. Archived from the original on 26 June 2020. Retrieved 26 January 2020.
  30. ^ "Discographie Master KG". austriancharts.at. Hung Medien. Retrieved 4 February 2021.
  31. ^ "Discografie Nomcebo Zikode". ultratop.be/nl. Hung Medien. Retrieved 4 February 2021.
  32. ^ "Discographie Nomcebo Zikode". ultratop.be/fr. Hung Medien. Retrieved 4 February 2021.
  33. ^ "Discographie Nomcebo Zikode". lescharts.com. Hung Medien. Retrieved 4 February 2021.
  34. ^ "Discographie von Nomcebo Zikode". offiziellecharts.de. Hung Medien. Retrieved 4 February 2021.
  35. ^ "Discografie Nomcebo Zikode". dutchcharts.nl. Hung Medien. Retrieved 4 February 2021.
  36. ^ "Discography Nomcebo Zikode". swedishcharts.com. Hung Medien. Retrieved 4 February 2021.
  37. ^ "Discographie Master KG". hitparade.ch. Hung Medien. Retrieved 4 February 2021.
  38. ^ "MASTER KG FT NOMCEBO ZIKODE | full Official Chart History". officialcharts.com. Official Charts Company. Retrieved 4 February 2021.
  39. ^ "Ultratop − Goud en Platina – singles 2021". Ultratop. Hung Medien. Retrieved 24 February 2023.
  40. ^ "British certifications – Master Kg Ft Nomcebo Zikode – Jerusalema". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 24 February 2023.
  41. ^ "French certifications – Master Kg – Jerusalema" (in French). Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique. Retrieved 24 February 2023.
  42. ^ "Local Streaming Chart Top 10". The Official South Africa Charts. Retrieved 11 October 2024.
  43. ^ "Five Things You Did Not Know About Jerusalema's Nomcebo Zikode". iharare. Retrieved 31 August 2020.
  44. ^ "Sjava, Nomcebo win big KwaZulu-Natal Entertainment awrds". Briefly.
  45. ^ Shumba, Ano (19 May 2021). "South African Music Awards 2021: All the nominees | Music In Africa". Music In Africa.
  46. ^ Mofijesusewa, Samuel (20 June 2021). "NET Honours 2021: "Damages" by Tems Named Most Played Alternative Song". Nigerian Entertainment Today. Retrieved 21 July 2021.
  47. ^ Hansen, Gabriel Myers. "All Africa Music Awards 2021: All the nominees | Music In Africa". Music In Africa. Retrieved 23 September 2021.
  48. ^ "Zakes Bantwini, Wouter Kellerman And Nomcebo Zikode Bag Their First Grammy Award For 'Bayethe'". slikouronlife.co.za.
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