Ndlovu Youth Choir

Ndlovu Youth Choir
OriginLimpopo
GenresAfro Pop
Years active2009–present
LabelsSony

The Ndlovu Youth Choir is a South African musical group founded in 2009.

Their debut studio album Africa (2019) debuted number one in South Africa.

History

Ndlovu Youth Choir was formed in January 2009[1] by Ndlovu Care Group childcare community based in Elandsdoorn, Limpopo.[2]

In October 2018, they released a single "Shape of You" with South African flautist Wouter Kellerman.[3][4] The song won Best Independent Music Video at the Hollywood Music Awards.[5][6]

Towards the end of 2019, they auditioned on America's Got Talent season 14 and lost the competition on the finalists.[7]

They signed a record deal with Syco Entertainment joint venture with Sony[8] and began recording their debut studio album Africa after they returned from America’s Got Talent.[9]

Their debut studio album Africa was released on November 29, 2019. The album won Best Adult Contemporary Album and debuted number one in South Africa.[10]

Their second album Rise was released on December 11, 2020.[11]

Their third studio album Grateful was released on April 29, 2022.[12][13] They collaborated with 25K, Sun-El Musician, Tyler ICU and the National Youth Choirs of Great Britain.[12]

Discography

  • Africa (2019)
  • Rise (2020)
  • Grateful (2022)
  • Celebrate (To be released in 2023) [14]

Awards

Hollywood Music Awards

Year Nominee / work Award Result
2018 "Shape of You" Best Independent Music Video Won

South African Music Awards

Year Nominee / work Award Result Ref.
2020 Africa Best Adult Contemporary Album Won [15]
Ndlovu Youth Choir International Achievement Award Won [16]

References

  1. ^ "From Limpopo to the top of the world: Ndlovu Youth Choir's incredible rise to international stardom! | Channel". South Africa: Channel. December 18, 2019. Retrieved May 1, 2022.
  2. ^ Mueni, Priscillah (June 27, 2019). "Ndlovu Youth Choir biography: members, lead singer, and America got talent performance - Briefly.co.za". Briefly.co.za. Retrieved April 30, 2022.
  3. ^ "WATCH: We think this isiZulu remix of Ed Sheeran's Shape Of You is better than the original! | W24". October 17, 2018. Retrieved April 30, 2022.
  4. ^ Sehloho, Matshepo (October 19, 2018). "[Watch] SA choir stuns with isiZulu cover of Ed Sheeran's 'Shape of You'". 702. Retrieved April 30, 2022.
  5. ^ Nkanjeni, Unathi (November 30, 2019). "Ndlovu Youth Choir wins Hollywood music award". Times LIVE. Retrieved April 30, 2022.
  6. ^ Mgandela, Ziyanda (November 30, 2019). "Ndlovu Youth Choir hits gold with award-winning collaboration". Independent Online.
  7. ^ Zeeman, Kyle (September 19, 2019). "Ndlovu Youth Choir didn't win 'America's Got Talent', but they won our hearts". Sowetan LIVE. Retrieved April 30, 2022.
  8. ^ Morkel, Graye (September 26, 2019). "WATCH: AGT's' Ndlovu Youth Choir offered a deal by Simon Cowell | Channel". South Africa: Channel. Retrieved April 30, 2022.
  9. ^ "The Ndlovu Youth Choir sign to Sony Music Entertainment Africa after coming back to SA guns blazing – Texx and the City". Texx and the City. September 27, 2019. Retrieved April 30, 2022.
  10. ^ Masweneng, Kgaugelo (December 3, 2019). "All they do is win! Ndlovu Youth Choir hits No 1 on SA iTunes chart". Times LIVE. Retrieved April 30, 2022.
  11. ^ "Ndlovu Youth Choir releases Rise as new album – JustNje". JustNje. December 11, 2020. Retrieved April 30, 2022.
  12. ^ a b McKay, Bronwyn (April 22, 2022). "LISTEN | Ndlovu Youth Choir release new album, Grateful | Channel". South Africa: Channel. Retrieved April 30, 2022.
  13. ^ Maliba, Amanda (April 29, 2022). "Ndlovu Youth Choir grateful for support via third album". Sowetan LIVE. Retrieved April 30, 2022.
  14. ^ https://www.news24.com/life/arts-and-entertainment/music/ndlovu-youth-choirs-new-single-celebrates-african-youth-20230828
  15. ^ "Ndlovu Youth Choir and Prince Kaybee among winners from night 2 of the Samas | Channel". South Africa: Channel. August 4, 2020. Retrieved April 30, 2022.
  16. ^ "2020 International Achievement Award Winner : Ndlovu Youth Choir". South African Music Awards. August 7, 2020. Retrieved April 30, 2022.