MFR Souls
{{Short description|South African music duo}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=September 2021}}
{{Use American English|date=September 2021}}
{{Infobox musical artist
| name = MFR Souls
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| origin = East Rand, Katlehong
| genre = Amapiano
| years_active = 2013–present
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| associated_acts = {{hlist|Kamo Mphela|Kabza De Small|Sha Sha|DJ Maphorisa}}
| website =
| current_members = Tumelo Nedondwe
Tumelo Mabe
| past_members =
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MFR Souls is a South African amapiano music duo founded in 2012 by Tumelo Nedondwe and Tumelo Mabe, both of whom are DJ and music producers from Katlehong in the East Rand of Johannesburg.{{cite news|date=28 April 2020|first=Bonolo|last= Sekudu
|language=en|location=South Africa |work=News24|title=Music duo MFR Souls on making it in entertainment and being famous {{!}} Drum |url=https://www.news24.com/amp/drum/celebs/music-duo-mfr-souls-on-making-it-in-entertainment-and-being-famous-20200428}} They are regarded as being part of the pioneers of the ama piano sound, alongside Kabza de small, Jazzidiciples. Their hit single "Love You Tonight" was commercial success certified platinum in South Africa.
History
= 2009-2013: Early years =
They met in 2009 at an event in Tokoza and eventually formed their group in 2013, Ma-Ero & Force Reloaded and later was named MFR Souls.{{cite web|title=MFR Souls Ihamba Nabahambayo on their latest single 'Abahambayo' Dark|url=https://yuledark.co.za/mfr-souls-ihamba-nabahambayo-on-their-latest-single-abahambayo/|work=Yule dark|date=May 14, 2021 }}
=2014-2019: ''The beginning'', ''Bless The Souls'', ''Scorpion Kings''=
In December 2015, their 5 tracks Extended Play Bless The Souls was released.
In 2016 they released ama piano mixtapes.
On October 4, 2019, they released a single "Love You Tonight" featuring Sha Sha, Kabza De Small and DJ Maphorisa.{{cite web|title=MFR Souls feature Scorpion Kings and Sha Sha on new single, Love You Tonight |url= https://justnje.com/mfr-souls-feature-scorpion-kings-and-sha-sha-on-new-single-love-you-tonight/|date=4 October 2019|work=JustNje}}
The song was certified platinum in South Africa.{{cite web|title=MFR Souls' "Love You Tonight" certified platinum
|last=Adejoy |date=August 9, 2020
|url=https://fakazanews.com/2020/08/09/mfr-souls-love-you-tonight-certified-platinum/|work=Fakaza News}} At the 26th ceremony of South African Music Awards "Love You Tonight" was nominated for Best Collaboration and Best Music Video.{{cite web|title=All the SAMA26 nominees
|url=https://m.bizcommunity.com/Article/196/480/206309.html|date=16 July 2020|work=Biz Community
|language=en}}
Their collaborative album Scorpion Kings with Kabza De Small, Virgo Deep and DJ Maphorisa won Best Produced Album of the Year at SAMA 26 awards.{{cite web|title=Here's a List of the 2020 South African Music Awards (SAMAs) Winners - OkayAfrica|url=https://www.okayafrica.com/amp/2020-south-african-music-awards-samas-winners-2646905755|date=6 August 2020|work=OkayAfrica|first=Nobantu |last=Shabangu}} On November 8, 2019, their Extended Play The beginning was released.{{cite web|title=MFR Souls release their sophomore EP, The Beginning - JustNje |url=https://justnje.com/mfr-souls-release-their-sophomore-ep-the-beginning/| publisher =JustNje| date=2019-11-09| access-date= 2021-11-12}}
=2020-present: ''Musical Kings'', ''Healers Of The Soul'', T-Squared=
In early 2020, their single "Amanikiniki" featuring Kamo Mphela and Bontle Smith was released. The song debuted number 3 on RAM charts and was certified platinum with sales of 50 000 units.{{cite web|title=MFR Souls Reacts To Amanikiniki Reaching A Gold Status |url=https://samusicmag.co.za/2021/02/mfr-souls-reacts-to-amanikiniki-reaching-a-gold-status/amp/| publisher=SA Music Magazine|access-date=2021-02-03}}{{cite web| title=MFR Souls' "Amanikiniki" goes platinum |url=https://fakazanews.com/2021/11/11/mfr-souls-amanikiniki-goes-platinum/|publisher=Fakaza News| access-date =2021-11-11|last=Adejoy|date=November 11, 2021 }} "Amanikiniki" was nominated for Record of the Year (fan-voted) and Music Video of The Year at 27th South African Music Awards{{cite web|title=SAMA27 Record of the Year and Music Video of the Year topped by Blaq Diamond, MFR Souls and Nasty C |url=https://samusicawards.co.za/2021/05/21/sama27-record-of-the-year-and-music-video-of-the-year-topped-by-blaq-diamond-mfr-souls-and-nasty-c/|access-date=2021-05-21|website=samusicawards}} and Song Of the Year at MAMA awards.{{cite web|title=MFR Souls on double celebration for their hit single, "Amanikiniki" |url=https://fakazanews.com/2021/01/13/mfr-souls-on-double-celebration-for-their-hit-single-amanikiniki/|access-date=2021-01-13 |publisher=Fakaza News|last=Bukola|date=January 13, 2021 }} On August 14, 2020, their second studio album Musical Kings was released.{{cite web|title=MFR Souls say album, Musical Kings, as celebration of East Rand talent|url=https://justnje.com/mfr-souls-describe-new-album-musical-kings-as-celebration-of-east-rand-talent/|date=17 August 2020|work=JustNje}} The album features Bontle Smith, Tshego, Zano, J’Something and Manu Worldstar.{{cite web|title=MFR Souls take us back to groove with new album 'Musical Kings' |url=https://www.yomzansi.com/2020/08/18/mfr-souls-take-us-back-to-groove-with-new-album-musical-kings/|date=August 18, 2020|work=YoMzansi}}
On May 14, 2021, they released a single "Abahambayo" featuring Mzulu Kakhulu, Khobzn Kiavalla and DJ T-Man SA.{{cite web|title=MFR Souls release Abahambayo, featuring Mzulu Kakhulu, Khobzn Kiavalla and DJ T-Man SA |url=https://justnje.com/mfr-souls-release-abahambayo-featuring-mzulu-kakhulu-khobzn-kiavalla-and-dj-t-man-sa/|language=en|date=14 May 2021|work=JustNje}}
In October 12, they teased their second studio album Healers Of The Soul, released on November 12, 2021.{{cite web|title=MFR Souls Shares "Healers Of The Soul" Album Artwork, Tease uThuleleni Featuring Ice 50|access-date=2021-10-15|first=John|last=Israel A |date=October 12, 2021 |publisher=Ubetoo|url=https://www.ubetoo.com/news/mfr-souls-shares-healers-of-the-soul-album-artwork-tease-uthuleleni-featuring-ice-50/}}{{cite web|title=MFR Souls Announces "Healers Of The Soul Album" - ZAtunes|url=https://zatunes.co.za/2021/mfr-souls-announces-healers-of-the-soul-album| website=Zatunes.co.za|date=October 15, 2021 | access-date=2021-10-15}} In November 4, album pre-order were made available.
On April 1, 2022, their EP T-squared was released in South Africa.{{cite web|title=MFR Souls drops third project called 'T-Squared'|date=2022-04-01|last=Zuma|first=Mbalenhle|access-date=2022-05-10|url= https://sundayworld.co.za/celebrity-news/mfr-souls-drops-third-project-called-t-squared/}}
In early May 2022, they were featured on Freedom Sounds: From Kwaito to Amapiano documentary by Spotify.{{cite web|date=2022-05-02|first=Nathan |last=Levinrad |title=Spotify launch 'Freedom Sounds: From Kwaito to Amapiano' documentary and two dedicated playlists in celebration of Freedom Day – Texx and the City| access-date =2022-05-10|work=Texx and the City|url= https://texxandthecity.com/2022/05/spotify-launch-freedom-sounds-from-kwaito-to-amapiano-documentary-and-two-dedicated-playlists-in-celebration-of-freedom-day/}}
On May 5, 2023, the duo released their long-awaited single, "Bawo" featuring Russell Zuma, Shane907 & Locco MusiQ {{Cite web |last=Zatunes |date=2023-05-05 |title=MFR Souls & Russell Zuma Drop "Bawo" Feat. Shane907 & Locco Musiq |url=https://zatunes.co.za/2023/mfr-souls-russell-zuma-drop-bawo-feat-shane907-locco-musiq |access-date=2023-05-08 |website=ZAtunes |language=en-US}}
Discography
= Extended plays =
- The amapiano mixtape (2016)
- The beginning (2019)
- T-squared (2022)
- Elements of Life (2022)
= Studio albums =
- Musical Kings (2020)
= Collaborative albums =
- The Game Changers (with MDU aka TRP) (2023)
Awards and nominations
=Dance Music Awards South Africa=
{{Awards table}}
!{{abbr|Ref.|References}}
|-
|2019
|"Eargasms"
|Best Amapiano Record
|{{nom}}
{{end}}
References
{{reflist}}
Category:Musical groups established in 2013
Category:South African musical duos
Category:Sony Music Publishing artists
{{SouthAfrica-music-stub}}
{{Africa-band-stub}}