Nathi
{{Short description|South African singer-songwriter}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2016}}
{{Infobox musical artist
| image =
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| birth_name = Nkosinathi Mankayi
| native_name =
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| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|df=yes|1982|12|23}}
| birth_place = Mthatha, Eastern Cape, South Africa
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| occupation = Singer-songwriter
| instrument = Vocals
| years_active = 2000–present
| label = Ghetto Ruff/Muthaland
Gallo Record Company
| associated_acts = Vusi Nova
| website =
}}
Nkosinathi Mankayi (born 23 December 1982), professionally known as Nathi, is a South African singer-songwriter.{{cite news|url=http://m.news24.com/news24/Live/Entertainment/Music/my-life-changed-this-year-nathi-on-prison-the-arts-2016-20151223|title=My life changed this year – Nathi on prison, the arts & 2016|work=News24|last=Sanasie|first=Jennifer|date=23 December 2015|accessdate=7 June 2016}}
He shot to limelight upon the release of his critically acclaimed song titled "Nomvula" off his triple-platinum debut studio album Buyelekhaya.{{cite news|url=http://www.sundayworld.co.za/lifestyle/2015/10/21/nathi-mankayi-from-prison-to-stardom|title=Nathi Mankayi: From prison to stardom|work=Sunday World|last=Baba|first=Buchule|date=21 October 2015|accessdate=7 June 2016}} He later released his second album titled Umbulelo Wam on 28 October 2016. He is presently signed under Gallo Record Company.{{cite news|url=http://www.dailysun.co.za/News/Entertainment/NKOSINATHIS-HITTING-THE-RIGHT-NOTE-20150317|title=NKOSINATHI'S HITTING THE RIGHT NOTE|work=Daily Sun (South Africa)|last=Molefe|first=Doreen|date=17 March 2015|accessdate=7 June 2016}}{{cite news|last1=Mofokeng|first1=Lesley|title=Nathi fever grips Mzansi|url=http://www.sowetanlive.co.za/entertainment/2015/07/25/nathi-fever-grips-mzansi|accessdate=8 June 2016|publisher=Sowetan|date=25 July 2015}}
Early life
Nkosinathi Mankayi was born among five siblings to a single mother in Mthatha, a small town in Eastern Cape, South Africa.{{cite web|url=http://muthalandentertainment.co.za/nathi-buyelekhaya/|title=Nathi – Buyelekhaya|publisher=Muthaland Entertainment|date=|accessdate=7 June 2016}} He grew up in Maclear, Eastern Cape, South Africa where he was educated and developed an interest in music and drawing.{{cite news|url=http://mini.iol.co.za/tonight/music/nathi-a-breath-of-fresh-acoustic-air-1833699|title=Nathi: a breath of fresh acoustic air|work=IOL|last=Vomo|first=Munya|date=18 March 2015|accessdate=7 June 2016}} In 2006, Nathi was sentenced to 8 years in prison for a 2002 robbery-related crime. He was however released after serving 4 years.{{cite news|url=http://www.dailysun.co.za/News/Entertainment/The-man-of-the-moment-20150901|title=THE MAN OF THE MOMENT!|work=Daily Sun (South Africa)|last=Makhubo|first=Phumla|date=1 September 2015|accessdate=7 June 2016}}{{cite news|url=http://drum.co.za/drum-tv/catching-up-with-nomvula-hit-maker-nathi/|title=Catching up with "Nomvula" hit-maker Nathi|work=DRUM Magazine|last=Ngumama|first=Noba|date=24 July 2015|accessdate=7 June 2016}}
Career
=2008–2014: Early beginnings=
With the aim of pursuing a career in music, Nathi competed and won a local music competition known as "Dare to Dream". He had his share of luck in November 2014 after Vusi Nova heard him sing and insisted on featuring him on a song titled "Noma Kanjani", a song that was well received and went on to get massive airplay around South Africa.
Nathi has one child born in 2017 and a sister who is also a singer.{{cite web|url=http://www.mytvnews.co.za/10-facts-you-didnt-know-about-nathi-mankayi/|title=10 Facts You Didn't Know About Nathi Mankayi|publisher=My TV News|date=25 October 2015|accessdate=7 June 2016}}
=2015–2017: ''Buyelekhaya'' and ''Umbulelo Wam''=
Nathi started recording his debut studio album titled Buyelekhaya in late 2014, releasing "Nomvula" as its lead single in 2015. Upon the release of the song, it became an instant hit, winning the "Best Selling Full-Track Download" at the 22nd South African Music Awards. On 10 March 2015, through Muthaland Entertainment, Nathi released Buyelekhaya to critical and commercial acceptance by going platinum within six weeks of its release, selling over 128,000 units. At the 22nd South African Music Awards, Nathi won five awards with Buyelekhaya winning the "Best-Selling Album of the Year" and "Best R&B / Soul / Reggae Album" categories.{{cite news|url=http://mini.iol.co.za/sunday-tribune/news/nathi-black-coffee-win-big-at-samas-2030533|title=Nathi, Black Coffee win big at Samas|work=IOL News|last=Mbonambi|first=Buhle|date=5 June 2016|accessdate=7 June 2016}}
On 28 October 2016, he released a 12-track sophomore album titled Umbulelo Wam. The album charted on #2 on iTunes and sold over 35,000 units.{{cite news|url=http://www.drum.co.za/celebs/nathi-mankayi-releases-new-album/|title=Nathi Mankayi releases new album|work=DRUM|last=Dayile|first=Qhama|date=28 October 2016|accessdate=25 November 2016}}
= 2018-present: ''Iphupha Labantu'', ''Usiba Lwe Gazi''=
He signed a record deal with Gallo Record Company and release his third studio album Iphupha Labantu on July 27, 2018.{{cite web|title=Nathi Mankayi Iphupha Labantu album set to drop July end|url=https://www.zkhiphani.co.za/nathi-mankayi-iphupha-labantu/|website =Zkhiphani|first=The|last=Journalist|date=13 July 2018}}{{cite web|title=STREAM: Nathi releases new album 'Iphupha Labantu' {{!}} YOMZANSI
|url=https://www.yomzansi.com/2018/07/30/stream-nathi-releases-new-album-iphupha-labantu/|website=YoMzansi|date=30 July 2018}}
The album won award for Best African Adult Contemporary Album at 25th South African Music Awards.{{cite web|date=31 May 2019|title=2019 Best African Adult Contemporary Album Winner : Nathi – Iphupha Labantu|url=https://samusicawards.co.za/ak_sama_award/|website=South African Music Awards}}
His fourth studio album Usiba Lwe Gazi, was released on October 21, 2022.{{cite web|title=Nathi goes deeper in his latest offering, gives hope|url=https://www.sowetanlive.co.za/entertainment/2022-10-04-nathi-goes-deeper-in-his-latest-offering-gives-hope/|access-date=2024-08-04|first=Patience|last=Bambalele|date=2022-10-04|work=Sunday World}} It won Best African Adult Contemporary Album at the 29th ceremony of South African Music Awards.{{cite web|title=SAMA29: Here’s the Full List of Winners|access-date =2024-08-04|work=South African Music Zone|url=https://samusiczone.co.za/sama29-winners/|first=Henno|last=Kruger}}
Discography
=Studio albums=
| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
|+ List of studio albums, with selected chart positions |
| scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:9em;" | Title
! scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:13em;" | Album details ! scope="col" colspan="6" | Peak chart positions ! scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:9em;" | Certifications ! scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:8em;"| Sales |
|---|
| scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:85%;"|NGR
!scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:85%;"|RSA !scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:85%;"|GHA !scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:85%;"|SWE !scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:85%;"|UK !scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:85%;"|US Released:15 June 2014 |
| scope="row"|Buyelekhaya
|
| – || — || — || — || — || — |90,000 |
| scope="row"|Umbulelo Wam
|
| — || — || — || — || — || — | |35,000 |
| scope="row"|Iphupha Labantu
|
| — || — || — || — || — || — | | |
| scope="row"|Usiba Lwe Gazi
|
| — || — || — || — || — || — | | |
| colspan="15" style="font-size:90%"| "—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory. |
Singles
=As lead artist=
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;"
|+ List of singles as lead artist, with selected chart positions and certifications, showing year released and album name |
| scope="col" rowspan="2"| Title
! scope="col" rowspan="2"| Year ! scope="col" colspan="1"| Peak chart positions ! scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:12em;"| Certifications ! scope="col" rowspan="2"| Album |
|---|
| scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:100%;"|ZA |
| scope="row" | "Qeqe (Emathandweni)"
|2018 | — | | |
| scope="row" | "Igazi"
|2021 |— | | |
| scope="row" | "Home Boiiz" (Elten BPE, Nathi)
|2024 |— | | |
| colspan="8" style="font-size:90%"| "—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory. |
Awards and nominations
{{Incomplete list|date=June 2016}}
| class ="wikitable" |
| Year
!Award ceremony !Prize !Work/Recipient !Result !Ref |
|---|
| rowspan="11"|2016
|rowspan="5"|15th Metro FM Music Awards |Best African Pop Album |rowspan="2"|Buyelekhaya |{{won}} |
| Best Male Album
|{{nom}} |
| Best New Artist
|Himself |{{nom}} |
| Best R&B Single
|rowspan="2"|"Nomvula" |{{nom}} |
| Song of the Year
|{{won}} |
| rowspan="6"|22nd South African Music Awards
|Buyelekhaya |{{nom}} |
| Male Artist of the Year
|rowspan="2"|Himself |{{won}} |
| Newcomer of the Year
|{{won}} |
| Best R&B/Soul/Reggae Album
|rowspan="2"|Buyelekhaya |{{won}} |
| Best Selling Album
|{{won}} |
| Best Selling Full-Track Download
|"Nomvula" |{{won}} |
| 2019
|Eastern Cape Music Awards |Best EC National Recognised Artist |Himself |{{nom}} |
| 2023
|South African Music Awards |Best African Adult Contemporary Album |Usiba Lwe Gazi |{{won}} | |