Uhuru (band)

South African music group

Uhuru

Also known as|

* Manyora a Muzik
* Originators

Genres|

* Kwaito
* house music
* electronic music

Years active| 2012–2016
Labels| Kalawa Jazmee Records
Past members|

* DJ Maphorisa
* DJ Clap
* Mapiano
* Xelimpilo

Website| uhurumusic.co.za

Uhuru (Swahili: freedom) were a South African musical group best known for producing the hit single "Khona" performed by Mafikizolo.[1] Signed to Kalawa Jazmee, the band consisted of Nqobile Mahlanu (Mapiano), Sihle Dlalisisa (DJ Clap), Xelimpilo Simelane (Xeli) and Themba Sekowe (DJ Maphorisa).[2] Independently, Uhuru is best known for hit remixes like "Y-tjukutja" and "The Sound".[3]

## Background

[edit]

Prior to collaborating in 2012, Mapiano and Xeli were friends who were into playing contemporary African jazz in Soshanguve where they originated from.[4] The band members were signed through DJ Clap who was already an artiste signed to Kalawa Jazmee Records.[5] Uhuru manages artwork and production in house as DJ Clap, Mapiano and Xeli mainly act as DJ, pianist and vocalist respectively.[6]

## Career

[edit]

Uhuru shot into limelight in 2013 after the release of the chart-topping single titled "Y-tjukutja", in part featuring Oskido and Angolan singer Yuri da Cunha, went on to be dubbed as the song of the year for 2013 in South Africa.[7] The producers also featured in "Khona", a song which topped many music charts and won several awards in South Africa and beyond including the 2014 MTV Africa Music Awards.[8] In 2015, the collaborating artists undertook solo ambitions.[9] By 2016, the Uhuru brand underwent serious challenges and incorporated a new face.[10] Later in 2016, Uhuru released "Own Devices", "The Sound (Remix)" and Free Prophecy, Vol 1. under new management, putting to rest rumoured band break-ups.[11]

## Band members

[edit]

### Current roster

[edit]

* (Uhuru is no longer active).

### Former acts

[edit]

* DJ Maphorisa
* DJ Clap
* Mapiano
* Xelimpilo

## Discography

[edit]

### Selected singles

[edit]

This list of songs or music-related items is incomplete; you can help by adding missing items. (August 2015)

|

* "Pata Pata" (2012)
* "Work" (2012)
* "Pepe" (2012)
* "Not Yet Uhuru" (2012)
* "Umraro" (2012)
* "Follow" (2012)
* "Ketsetse" (2013)
* "Thathi Sgubhu" (2013)
* "Ungowami" (2013)
* "Sweety Mabhebeza" (2013)
* "Y-tjukutja" (2013)
* "Raindrops" (2014)
* "Nne" (2014)
* "Kumi Na Mbili" (2014)
* "Kumi Na Tatu" (2014)
* "Nane" (2014)
* "Kumi" (2014)
* "Unity ina Diversity" (2015)
* "Duze" (2015)
* "Shoota Babylone (2015)
* "Circles" (2015)

### As featured artists

[edit]

This list of songs or music-related items is incomplete; you can help by adding missing items. (August 2015)

|

* "Khona" – Mafikizolo ft. Uhuru (2013)
* "Speaker" – Professor ft. Oskido and Uhuru
* "Move" – Becca ft. Uhuru (2014)
* "Nakupenda" – Mafikizolo ft. Uhuru (2014)
* "Komolop Cholop" – MC Galaxy ft. Uhuru (2015)
* "The Sound" – Davido ft. Uhuru (2015)
* "The Banger" – Runtown ft. Uhuru (2015)
* "The Sound (Remix)" – Davido ft. G-Eazy and Uhuru (2016)

### Albums

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* Symbiose (2006)
* Not Yet (2012)
* Our Father (2013)
* Safari (2014)
* Free Prophecy, Vol 1. (2016)

## Awards and nominations

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* 2013 Song of the Year Award[12]
* Nominated for 'Best Electronic Act' at the Unsigned Music Awards (UMA's) Troxy Theatre London, 2016[13]

## See also

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* List of South African musicians

## References

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1. ^ Therese Owen (13 March 2013). "Reunited Mafikizolo are back with a bang". IOL. Retrieved 14 August 2015.
2. ^ Phiona Okumu (9 December 2013). "Uhuru – Y-tjukutja: New music from South Africa". The Guardian. Retrieved 14 August 2015.
3. ^ Alyssa Klein (4 December 2013). "Uhuru's Kwaito-House Anthem 'Y Tjukutja' Ft. Dj Buckz, Oskido, Professor + Yuri-Da-Cunha". Okay Africa. Retrieved 14 August 2015.
4. ^ "Uhuru". African Entertainment. Retrieved 14 August 2015.
5. ^ "Uhuru Y-tjukutja's to victory". Sunday World. Retrieved 14 August 2015.
6. ^ Bulelani Ngovi (28 December 2013). "Uhuru". The Zambezian. Retrieved 14 August 2015.
7. ^ Alyssa Klein (4 December 2013). "Uhuru's Kwaito-House Anthem 'Y Tjukutja' Ft. Dj Buckz, Oskido, Professor + Yuri-Da-Cunha". Okay Africa. Retrieved 14 August 2015.
8. ^ "All the MTV Africa Music Awards winners". The Citizen. 8 June 2014. Retrieved 14 August 2015.
9. ^ MTV Base (5 February 2015). "Uhuru Splits". Viacom. Retrieved 30 September 2016.
10. ^ Buchule Raba (8 December 2015). "Uhuru's house falling apart". Times Media Group. Retrieved 30 September 2016.
11. ^ "Free Prophecy, Vol. 1". iTunes Store. 18 December 2016. Archived from the original on 16 January 2017. Retrieved 12 January 2017.
12. ^ Alyssa Klein (4 December 2013). "Uhuru's Kwaito-House Anthem 'Y Tjukutja' Ft. Dj Buckz, Oskido, Professor + Yuri-Da-Cunha". Okay Africa. Retrieved 14 August 2015.
13. ^ Giselle Tadman (11 October 2016). "UNSIGNED MUSIC AWARDS – GIGSOUP TALK TO 'BEST ELECTRONIC / DANCE ACT' NOMINEE UHURU". Retrieved 3 February 2017.

## External links

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* Uhuru on Twitter

Authority control databases

International|

* VIAF

Artists|

* MusicBrainz