Inkabi Zezwe
{{Short description|South African duo}}
{{Infobox musical artist
| background = band
| name = Inkabi Zezwe
| alias =
| origin =
| genre = Afro-soul, Afro pop
| years_active = 2022–present
| label = Warner Music Africa
| spinoffs =
| spinoff_of =
| current_members = Sjava
Big Zulu
| past_members =
}}
Inkabi Zezwe is a South African duo composed of Sjava and Big Zulu formed in 2022. Their debut single "Umbayimbayi", charted number 1 and certified 4× Platinum in South Africa.{{Cite web|url=https://zalebs.com/top-of-the/inkabi-zezwes-umbayimbayi-dominating-various-charts-in-just-3-days-since-release|title=Inkabi Zezwe's "Umbayimbayi" Dominating Various Charts In Just 3 Days Since Release|website=ZAlebs|access-date=2023-04-10|archive-date=2023-04-10|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230410130542/https://zalebs.com/top-of-the/inkabi-zezwes-umbayimbayi-dominating-various-charts-in-just-3-days-since-release|url-status=dead}}
Their debut studio album Ukhamba (2023), debuted number 1 in two countries South Africa and Eswatini consecutively.
History
= 2022-present: Inkabi Zezwe formation, ''Ukhamba'' =
Inkabi Zezwe composed of Sjava (born Jabulani Hadebe) and Big Zulu (Siyabonga Nene) was formed in 2022 and signed a recording deal with Warner Music for their one time collaborative album.{{Cite web|url=https://www.news24.com/citypress/trending/fans-in-for-a-once-off-treat-as-sjava-and-big-zulu-collaborate-20230321|title=Fans in for a once-off treat as Sjava and Big Zulu collaborate|first=Nompumelelo|last=Magagula|website=City Press}}
On March 17, 2023, Big Zulu and Sjava announced the working on their joint album Ukhamba. "Umbayimbayi" was released on March 24, 2023, as album's lead single.{{Cite web|url=https://sahiphopmag.co.za/2023/03/sjava-big-zulu-gear-up-to-release-a-joint-music-project/|title=Sjava & Big Zulu Gear Up To Release A Joint Music Project|first=Clive|last=Banda|date=March 18, 2023|website=SA Hip Hop Mag}} The song debuted at number one on iTunes Top 50 & Spotify Top 100 South Africa consecutively.{{Cite web|url=https://briefly.co.za/entertainment/music/156269-big-zulu-sjas-hit-song-umbayimbayi-charts-number-1-spotify-apple-music/|title="Khuphukani": SA proud of Sjava and Big Zulu's song reaching number 1 on Spotify|first=Sinazo|last=Tshambuluka|date=March 28, 2023|website=Briefly}} The song reached 3× Platinum in South Africa.{{Cite web|url=https://slikouronlife.co.za/blog/24145/big-zulu-sjavas-umbayimbayi-hits-gold-status-in-sa|title=Big Zulu & Sjava's 'Umbayimbayi' Hits Gold Status In SA|website=slikouronlife.co.za}}{{cite web | url=https://slikouronlife.co.za/blog/24176/inkabi-zezwes-umbayimbayi-certified-platinum | title=Inkabi Zezwe's 'Umbayimbayi' Certified Platinum }}{{Cite web|url=https://sahiphopmag.co.za/2023/07/big-zulu-x-sjavas-umbayimbayi-goes-triple-platinum/|title=Big Zulu X Sjava's 'Umbayimbayi' Goes Triple Platinum|first=Clive|last=Banda|date=July 18, 2023|website=SA Hip Hop Mag}}
On April 1, Zulu announced that the Inkabi Zezwe tour will run from June until September 2023.
Their debut studio album was released on May 12, 2023. It debuted number one in two countries South Africa and Eswatini consecutively. {{Cite web|url=https://www.bona.co.za/entertainment/144231/|title=Big Zulu and Sjava's album tops streaming platforms|first=Johana|last=Mukandila|date=May 17, 2023}} On 15 July 2023, Warner Music Africa announces a partnership with Lacuna Creative Studios, to oversee the post-production of Inkabi Zezwe six-part documentary series of the making of Sjava and Big Zulu’s Ukhamba studio album.{{cite web |title=Warner Music Africa |url=https://www.africa.com/warner-music-africa-partners-with-lacuna-creative-studios/ |website=www.africa.com |access-date=20 August 2023 |date=15 July 2023}}
Discography
- Ukhamba (2023)
Awards
= Content Creator Awards =
{{Awards table}}
!{{abbrv|Ref.|References}}
|-
|2023
|"Umbayimbayi"
| Song of the Year
|{{nom}}
{{end}}
= Metro FM Awards =
{{awards table}}
!{{abbrv|Ref.|References}}
|-
|rowspan=4|2024
|rowspan=2|Ukhamba
|Best African Pop
|{{nom}}
|rowspan=4|
|-
|Best Produced Album
|{{nom}}
|-
|"Umbayimbayi"
|Best Collaboration
|{{nom}}
|-
|Themselves
|Best Duo/Group
|{{nom}}
{{end}}
= South African Traditional and Music Awards =
{{Awards table}}
!{{abbrv|Ref.|References}}
|-
|2023
|"Umbayimbayi"
|Most Voted Song of the Year
|{{nom}}
{{end}}
= South African Music Awards =
{{Awards table}}
!{{abbrv|Ref.|References}}
|-
|rowspan=2|2024
|"Umbayimbayi"
| Motsepe Foundation Record of the Year
|{{nom}}
|-
|style="text-align: center;"|Ukhamba
|Best Afro-Pop album
|{{nom}}
{{end}}