Holly Rey

Holly Rey
Born
Holly Wasserfall

(1996-12-27) 27 December 1996 (age 27)
Westville, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
NationalitySouth African
Alma materUniversity of KwaZulu-Natal
OccupationMusician
Years active2010-present

Holly Wasserfall (born 27 December 1996), professionally known as Holly Rey, is a South African singer and songwriter. Born and raised in Westville, KwaZulu-Natal, her musical career began at the age of 14, signing her first publishing deal with Sony.

Rey rose to prominence after releasing her single "Deeper" in 2018, which won Record of the Year.[1]

Education

In 2019, Rey graduated at the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) in Media studies.[2]

Career

She grew up in musical background her uncle is a musician, he taught Rey how to play the guitar during their lessons.[1] Rey signed a record deal with Sony[3] and released her first album Strawberry Skies in 2010.[4]

Her breakthrough single "Deeper" was released in May 2018. The song was produced by Mondli Ngcobo. It won Record of the Year at the 25th South African Music Awards.[5]

On March 15, 2019, her single "You" was released. The song surpassed 3,5 million streams[6] and was certified 3× platinum by the Recording Industry of South Africa with sales of 293 055 units.[7][8] In August 2019, Rey headlined to One Big Night in Sobekeng concert.[9]

In March 2020, she signed a record deal with Soulstic Music.[10]

In April 29, she announced the title and the release date of her EP via her Instagram account.[11] Unconditional EP was released on April 29, 2022.

Rey and Blxckie released "Slow Down" on April 28, 2023.[12]

Towards the end of August 2023, Rey competed on the Masked Singer South Africa and won becoming the first person to hold the title.[13]

Same month, Rey announced her extended play 3 AM Pt. 1, released on September 15, 2023.[13][14]

Discography

Extended plays

  • Unconditional (2022)
  • Unconditional (Stripped) (2022)
  • 3 AM Pt. 1 (2023)

Singles

As lead artist

List of singles as lead artist, with selected chart positions and certifications, showing year released and album name
Title Year Peak chart positions Certifications Album
ZA
"Deeper" 2018
"Home" 2020 —
"Slow Down" (featuring Blxckie) 2023 —
"Ngiyazifela" —
"These Tears (featuring Mr. Luu) 2024 — Non-album single
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.

Achievements

Basadi in Music Awards

Year Nominee / work Award Result Ref.
2022 Herself Artist of the Year Nominated
Pop Artist of the Year Won
2023 Won [15]

[16] [17]

Dance Music Awards South Africa

Year Nominee / work Award Result Ref.
2019 Herself Best Female Vocalist Nominated [18]

References

  1. ^ a b Coetzee, Nikita (5 February 2020). "From where it all began to her greatest achievements - We get to know SA singer Holly Rey | Channel". South Africa: Channel. Retrieved 1 May 2022.
  2. ^ "LOOK: House music star Holly Rey graduates cum laude at UKZN". Online Independent. 2 April 2019. Retrieved 1 May 2022.
  3. ^ "Holly Rey creates musical waves". Sowetan LIVE. 18 October 2018. Retrieved 1 May 2022.
  4. ^ "Holly Rey | Music In Africa". Music in Africa. Retrieved 1 May 2022.
  5. ^ Tjiya, Emmanuel (7 June 2019). "Holly Rey revives Mabrrr spirit with her Sama". Sowetan LIVE. Retrieved 1 May 2022.
  6. ^ "Holly Rey celebrates going platinum with East Coast Breakfast". ecr.co.za. 28 May 2019. Retrieved 1 May 2022.
  7. ^ "Holly Rey goes multi-platinum on 'You'". Independent Online. Retrieved 1 May 2022.
  8. ^ Israel A, John (12 September 2020). ""Holly Rey Shocked As Single "You" Is Confirmed Triple Platinum". Ubetoo. Retrieved 1 May 2022.
  9. ^ "Lira, Holly Rey and Zamo Dlamini to perform at women-centred concert in Sobekeng". Biz Community. 1 August 2019. Retrieved 2 May 2022.
  10. ^ "Congrats! Holly Rey Signs A New Major Recording Deal - SA Music Magazine". SA Music Magazine. 1 March 2020. Retrieved 1 May 2022.
  11. ^ Birjalal, Alyssia (20 April 2022). "Holly Rey strips down her music in new EP". Independent Online. Retrieved 1 May 2022.
  12. ^ https://www.snl24.com/drum/celebs/news/collaborating-with-blxckie-was-the-most-insane-experience-holly-rey-on-new-song-dropping-friday-20230425
  13. ^ a b Simpasa, Precious (28 August 2023). "Holly Rey makes history as first-ever winner of Masked Singer SA!". The South African. Retrieved 30 August 2023.
  14. ^ Mallac, Skye Ayla (15 September 2023). "Holly Rey's new EP 3AM Part 1 is a scintillating Afro-house release – Texx and the City". Texx and the City. Retrieved 15 September 2023.
  15. ^ https://www.iol.co.za/the-star/news/well-known-stars-win-big-at-basadi-dc8e5243-9c6c-45c7-a5aa-372945f1ebaf
  16. ^ https://www.timeslive.co.za/tshisa-live/tshisa-live/2023-08-13-heres-what-went-down-at-the-second-annual-basadi-in-music-awards/
  17. ^ https://www.musicinafrica.net/magazine/basadi-music-awards-2023-all-winners
  18. ^ "Dance Music Awards South Africa 2019: All the winners". Music in Africa. 4 October 2019. Retrieved 26 July 2024.