Sun-El Musician
{{Short description|South African music producer and DJ}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2021}}
{{Infobox person
| honorific_prefix =
| name = Sun-El Musician
| birth_name = Sanele Tresure Sithole
| birth_place = Mooi River, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1989|3|28|df=y}}
| education = University of KwaZulu-Natal (dropped out)
| module = {{infobox musical artist
| embed = yes
| associated_acts = {{flatlist|
- Simmy
- Zakes Bantwini
- Demor Sikhosana
- Msaki
}}
| label = {{hlist|EL World Music}} Demor Music (PTY)LTD (former)
| years_active = 2011–present
| genre =
| occupation = {{flatlist|
- DJ
- songwriter
- music producer
}}
| instrument = {{hlist| piano{{cite web|title=Sun-El Musician: "I don't come from an analogue background, it has always been about computers from the word go" |access-date =2022-05-11 |work=MusicRadar|url= https://www.musicradar.com/news/sun-el-musician-interview|date=2022-02-18}} | vocals | keyboard
}}
}}
}}
Sanele Tresure Sithole (born 28 March 1989), known professionally as Sun-El Musician, is a South African disc jockey, music producer, and songwriter.{{Cite web|last=Makena|first=K.|date=12 May 2020|title=Sun El Musician bio: age, real name, girlfriend, family, songs, album, awards|url=https://briefly.co.za/61901-sun-el-musician-bio.html|access-date=20 November 2020|website=Briefly|language=en}}{{Cite web|last=Musician|first=Sun El|title=Sun El Musician mixes for GeeGo|url=https://www.geego.co.za/news/i/50373834/sun-el-geego|access-date=20 November 2020|website=www.geego.co.za|language=en|archive-date=1 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201101003505/https://www.geego.co.za/news/i/50373834/sun-el-geego|url-status=dead}} Born and raised in Mooi River, he attended the University of KwaZulu-Natal but dropped out to pursue a career in music. His debut studio album Africa to the World (2018), was certified Platinum by the Recording Industry of South Africa (RiSA).{{cite web|title=Sun-EL Musician is Bringing Africa to the World |url=https://edmidentity.com/2021/03/15/sun-el-musician-featured-interview/| work=EDM Identity| access-date=December 9, 2021| first=Zachary |last=Lefevre|date=March 15, 2021}}
Sun-El's second album, To the World & Beyond (2020), was met with further commercial success, certified Platinum by Recording Industry of South Africa (RiSA).
He was a producer for Demor Music before the establishment of his own record label, EL World Music.{{cite web|title=Sun EL Musician |url=https://www.musicinafrica.net/directory/sun-el-musician|publisher=Music In Africa }} His most recent album African Electronic Dance Music was released in October 2021.
Life and career
= Early life and education =
Sanele Tresure Sithole was born on 28 March 1989 in the town of Mooi River, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, and raised along with his four siblings by a domestic worker mother.{{Cite web|last=Dayile|first=Qhama|title=Singer Sun-El Musician going from broke to hugely successful|url=https://www.news24.com/drum/celebs/singer-sun-el-musician-going-from-broke-to-hugely-successful-20190501|access-date=20 November 2020|website=Drum|date=20 September 2018 |language=en-US}}{{Cite web|date=30 January 2018|title=10 Things You Do Not Know About Sun-EL Musician|url=https://samusicmag.co.za/2018/01/10-things-not-know-sun-el-musician/|access-date=20 November 2020|website=SA Music Magazine|language=en-ZA}} He attended the University of KwaZulu-Natal but dropped out in 2007.
= Career =
Shortly after he left school Sithole spent two years at home and began his musical career in 2007 remixing songs and creating mixtapes.{{cite web|title=Revealed: How Sun-EL Musician sacrificed an Engineering career to become a musician|url=https://savannanews.com/revealed-sun-el-musician-sacrifices-a-lifetime-fortune-to-become-a-musician/|date=2022-02-22|first=David|last=De Paul|website=Savannanews.com|access-date=2022-03-03|archive-date=3 March 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220303153451/https://savannanews.com/revealed-sun-el-musician-sacrifices-a-lifetime-fortune-to-become-a-musician/amp/|url-status=dead}} Sithole met Thandukwazi Demor Sikhosana who signed him under his record label Demor Music (Pty) Ltd, worked as music producer for a period of 5 years. During that period he worked in the studio with Bucie from 2011-2014,{{cite web|title=The Sun's El|url=http://www.deephouseloveaffair.com/2013/07/the-suns-el.html?m=1|publisher=Deep HouseLove Affair|access-date=8 October 2021|archive-date=8 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211008111945/http://www.deephouseloveaffair.com/2013/07/the-suns-el.html?m=1|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|title=Interview: Sun-El Musician On Owning A Record Label, Preparing For The World & Mentoring New Artists | access-date =2022-01-10| publisher= Slikouronlife| date=2021-11-19|url=https://slikouronlife.co.za/blog/20858/interview-at-sunelmusicianza-on-owning-a-record-label-preparing-for-the-world-mentoring-new-artists}} and he produced three albums for Demor.
=2015-2019: EL World Music, ''Africa to the World''=
{{main|Africa to the World}}
In early 2017 he established EL World Music.{{cite web|title=Africa to the World by Sun-El Musician on TIDAL|date=20 April 2018 |url=https://tidal.com/browse/album/87263884|publisher=Tidal}}{{cite web|title=Album of the Week: Sun-El Musician delivers a majestic & groovy debut 'Africa to the World' [Review] |date=23 April 2018|url=https://www.yomzansi.com/2018/04/23/album-of-the-week-sun-el-musician-africa-to-the-world/|publisher=YoMzansi|access-date =23 April 2018}}
Sithole then began to create his own music under the name Sun-El Musician. His debut single "Akanamali" featuring Samthing Soweto was released on May 21, 2017. It became his first biggest song reached no.1 on Shazam and certified Platinum in South Africa.{{Cite web|date=1 September 2017|title='Akanamali' by Sun-El Musician is the No. 1 most Shazamed song in SA |url=https://www.yomzansi.com/2017/09/01/akanamali-by-sun-el-musician-is-the-no-1-most-shazamed-song-in-sa/|website=www.yomzansi.com}}{{Cite web|date=4 December 2020|title=Interview: Sun-El Musician Is Going 'To the World & Beyond'|url=https://www.okayafrica.com/sun-el-musician-to-the-world-beyond-interview/|website=okayafricasite}}
"Bamthathile" featuring Mlindo the Vocalist was released on February 23, 2018, as album's second single.{{cite web|title=Akanamali' Hitmaker Sun-El Musician Releases Another Potential Hit |url=https://www.okayafrica.com/sun-el-musician-bamthathile-single/|access-date = July 10, 2023|first=Sabelo|last=Mkhabela|publisher=OkayAfrica}}
His debut studio album Africa to the World, was released on April 20, 2018.{{Cite web|date=4 May 2018|title=Sun-El Musician's 'Africa To The World' Album Knocks Hard|url=https://www.okayafrica.com/sun-el-musician-album/|website=okayafricasite}}{{cite web|title=Sun El Musician releases debut album Africa To The World – ZAlebs|url=https://zalebs.com/top-of-the/sun-el-musician/sun-el-musician-releases-debut-album-africa-world|work=Zalebs|date=22 June 2020|access-date=3 June 2021|archive-date=23 September 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220923141758/https://zalebs.com/top-of-the/sun-el-musician/sun-el-musician-releases-debut-album-africa-world|url-status=dead}} The album reached Platinum in South Africa.
The singles "Sonini", "Bamthathile", and "Ntab'Ezikude" all received 2× Platinum certifications from the Recording Industry of South Africa (RiSA){{Cite news |archive-date=2023-07-24 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230724065457/https://www.pressreader.com/south-africa/weekend-argus-sunday-edition/20190526/281500752724511 |url=https://www.pressreader.com/south-africa/weekend-argus-sunday-edition/20190526/281500752724511 |title=Sun-El's time to shine |date=26 May 2019 |first=Shingai |last=Darangwa |publisher=Weekend Argus |language=en |access-date=24 July 2023 |via=PressReader |url-status=live}} In June 2018, his single "Akanamali" earned him three awards at the 24th South African Music Awards, including Best Collaboration, Highest Airplay Song and Highest Airplay Composer. Africa to the World was also nominated at the 25th South African Music Awards in June 2019.{{cite web|title=Africa to the World – Sun-El Musician |url=https://www.top-charts.com/r/africa-to-the-world-sun-el-musician|work=Top Charts}}
Sithole made collaboration with Ami Faku on a single "Into Ingawe", released on June 7, 2019. The song was certified 3× Platinum by RiSA.{{Cite web|url=https://samusicmag.co.za/2020/05/sun-el-musician-x-ami-fakus-into-ingawe-goes-double-platinum/|title=Sun EL-Musician x Ami Faku's Into Ingawe goes Double Platinum|date=19 May 2020|website=SA Music Magazine}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.zkhiphani.co.za/sun-el-musicain-x-ami-faku-into-ingawe-goes-double-platinum/|work= Zkhiphani|title=Sun-EL Musicain [sic] x Ami Faku – Into Ingawe, Goes Double Platinum|date=21 May 2020}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.ubetoo.com/news/ami-faku-sun-el-musicians-hit-into-ingawe-now-double-platinum/|work=Ubetoo|title=Ami Faku & Sun El Musician's Hit Into Ingawe Now Double Platinum »|date=20 May 2020}}
Also in 2019, Sithole embarked on an extensive tour of South Africa.{{cite web|title=Sun-El Musician launches El World Music Experience Tour |url=https://justnje.com/sun-el-musician-launches-el-world-music-experience-tour/|work=JustNje|date=24 May 2019|access-date=5 June 2021|archive-date=5 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210605134948/https://justnje.com/sun-el-musician-launches-el-world-music-experience-tour/|url-status=dead}}
= 2020-2021: ''To the World & Beyond'', ''African Electronic Dance Music'' =
{{main|To the World & Beyond}}
In April 2020, Sithole released album's lead single "Uhuru" with South African singer Azana.{{cite web|title=Sun-EL Musician's Upcoming Song "UHURU" Gets A Release Date
|url=https://www.ubetoo.com/news/sun-el-musicians-upcoming-song-uhuru-gets-a-release-date/|work=Ubetoo|first=John|last=Jabulani|date=6 April 2021}}{{cite web|title=Sun-El Musician Previews Upcoming Album "Uhuru", With Single Featuring Azana |url=https://www.ubetoo.com/news/sun-el-musician-previews-upcoming-album-uhuru-with-single-featuring-azana/|work=Ubetoo|date=14 July 2020|first=John |last=Israel A}}
Following month May 2020, his second single "Ubomi Abumanga" featuring Msaki was released.{{Cite web|date=20 May 2020|title=Sun-EL Musician Announced New Msaki Featured Song "Ubomi Abumanga" And Release Date |url=https://www.ubetoo.com/news/sun-el-musician-announced-new-msaki-featured-song-ubomi-abumanga-and-release-date/|work=Ubetoo}} It was certified 2× Platinum by Recording Industry of South Africa.
"Emoyeni", a single by Sun-El Musician, Khuzani, Simmy was released in July 2020, in celebration of Ukhozi FM 60th Anniversary.
His second studio album To the World & Beyond was released in December 4, 2020.{{Cite web|date=3 December 2020|title=To the World and Beyond Album|url=https://iminathi.net/sun-el-musician-to-the-world-beyond-album/|access-date=20 November 2020|website=iminathi|language=en-ZA}} The album reached Platinum in South Africa.
African Electronic Dance Music was released on 29 October 2021 in South Africa.{{cite web|title=Sun-El Musician drops African Electronic Dance Music album |url=https://www.musicinafrica.net/magazine/sun-el-musician-drops-african-electronic-dance-music-album|work=Music In Africa| access-date=29 October 2021|first=Ano|last=Shumba|date=29 October 2021}} On African Electronic Dance Music, Sun-El experimented electronic dance music style incorporated with elements of afro house.{{cite web|title= EP Review: Sun-El Musician – AEDM (African Electronic Dance Music) |url= https://www.magneticmag.com/2021/11/ep-review-sun-el-musician-aedm-african-electronic-dance-music/|access-date =2024-02-19|work=Magnetic Magazine|date= 2 November 2021}}{{cite web|title=Sun-EL Musician drops AEDM, 11 track EP|url=https://samusicmag.co.za/2021/10/sun-el-musician-drops-aedm-11-track-ep/amp/|publisher=SA Music Magazine|access-date=2024-01-19|archive-date=6 November 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211106084019/https://samusicmag.co.za/2021/10/sun-el-musician-drops-aedm-11-track-ep/amp/|url-status=dead}}
It was supported by four singles; "Higher", "Amateki/Ululate", "Woza". Pan-African Music enlisted African Electronic Dance Music number 1 on The 30 best albums of 2021 year-end lists.{{cite web|title=The 30 best electronic albums of 2021|date=22 December 2021 |url=https://pan-african-music.com/en/the-30-best-electronic-albums-of-2021/| publisher=Pan-African|access-date=2024-02-19}}
African Electronic Dance Music received three nominations; Album of the Year, Male Artist of the Year, and Best Dance Album at the 28th South African Music Awards.{{cite web|title=#SAMA28: Take a look at the full list of nominees|url= https://www.thesouthafrican.com/culture/music/breaking-south-african-music-awards-sama-28-full-list-of-nominees/| work=The South African | access-date =2024-02-19| first=Naledi |last=de Wee |date=2022-06-07}}
The previous day, Sithole headlined the Basha Uhuru Creative Uprising Festival alongside Langa Mavuso.{{cite web|title=Langa Mavuso and Sun El Musician to headline the 2021 Basha Uhuru Creative Uprising Festival |date=13 October 2021|url=https://www.yomzansi.com/2021/10/13/basha-uhuru-creative-uprising-festival-2021/|access-date =13 October 2021|publisher=YoMzansi}}
In December 2021, Sithole was chosen by Gallo Records to work on classic songs remix on the Extended Play titled Music is Forever along with Nobuhle, Muzi, and other artists.{{cite web|title=Sun El Musician, Muzi and Nobuhle added to 'Music Is Forever'| url=https://www.iol.co.za/entertainment/music/local/sun-el-musician-muzi-and-nobuhle-added-to-music-is-forever-79ad30ed-972d-44d9-9e43-b59809f295c5| publisher=Independent Online| access-date =2021-12-22| date=2021-12-20| first=Shingai |last=Darangwa }}{{cite web|title=Music Is Forever – Iconic Songs Remixed By Sun El Musician, Muzi, And More, For A New Generation|website=Ubetoo |url=https://www.ubetoo.com/news/music-is-forever-gallo-remixed-reimagines-iconic-tracks-by-brenda-fassie-winston-mankunku-ngosi-and-phuzekhemisi/| access-date=2021-12-22| date=2021-12-17| first=Thato|last=Siyabonga}}
= 2022-present: ''AEDM: Interstellar'' =
In May 21, he headlined to Bassline I AM LIVE concert.{{cite web|title=Bassline I AM LIVE announces 21 May concert line-up |url=https://www.musicinafrica.net/magazine/bassline-i-am-alive-announces-21-may-concert-line| publisher=Music In Africa| date=2022-05-16| access-date=2022-05-17| first=Ano| last=Shumba}}
Towards the end of May 2022, he headlined to MTN Bushfire Festival, held at Malkerns Valley, from May 27–29.{{cite web|first=Ano|last=Shumba|date=2022-05-12|title=MTN Bushfire adds more artists to 2022 line-up | access-date=2022-05-11|work=Music In Africa|url= https://www.musicinafrica.net/magazine/mtn-bushfire-adds-more-artists-2022-line}}{{cite web| title=Diverse Range of Artists Announced for MTN Bushfire Festival |url=https://samusicmag.co.za/2022/05/diverse-range-of-artists-announced-for-mtn-bushfire-festival/amp/ |work=SA Music Magazine |access-date=2022-05-11|archive-date=16 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220616171709/https://samusicmag.co.za/2022/05/diverse-range-of-artists-announced-for-mtn-bushfire-festival/amp/ |url-status=dead}}
Sithole announced his upcoming project AEDM: Interstellar (pronounced African Electronic Dance Music: Interstellar) on December 8, 2022 set to be released on 2023 released double single "Makwande" with Fk Mash, Ami Faku, "Rata" with TNS and Skillz.{{cite web|title=Sun-El Musician teases new album with release of two singles|date=2022-12-09|access-date =2022-12-09|url=https://www.musicinafrica.net/magazine/sun-el-musician-teases-new-album-release-two-singles|work=Music in Africa|first=Ano|last=Shumba}} Both singles were released on December 9, 2022.
In April 2023, Sun-El Musician and Msaki teased a single "Amandla" on a snippet video clip and announced release date on October. The song was released on November 3, 2023.{{cite web|title=Sun-El on collab with Msaki: I wanted to support my best friend through a hard time she was going through |work=Drum|url=https://www.snl24.com/drum/celebs/news/sun-el-on-collab-with-msaki-i-wanted-to-support-my-best-friend-through-a-hard-time-she-was-going-through-20231103|date=2023-11-03|url-access=subscription}}
Discography
= Albums =
= EPs =
class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;"
|+ List of EPs, with selected details ! scope="col" | Title ! scope="col" | EP details |
scope="row" | AEDM: Interstellar
|
|
---|
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" style="width:22em;"| Title ! scope="col" | Year ! scope="col" | Peak chart positions ! scope="col" style="width:12em;"| Certifications ! scope="col" | Album |
scope="row" | "Akanamali" (featuring Samthing Soweto)
| 2017 | 1 | RiSA: Platinum |rowspan="4"| Africa to the World |
---|
Scope="row"| "Ntab'Ezikude" (featuring Simmy)
| rowspan="3"| 2018 | |
Scope="row"| "Bamthathile" (featuring Mlindo the Vocalist)
| | RiSA: 2× Platinum |
scope="row"| "Sonini" (featuring Simmy and Lelo Kamau)
| |
scope="row"| "Bomi Abumanga" (featuring Msaki)
| rowspan="5"|2020 | | RiSA: 2× Platinum | rowspan="4"|To the World & Beyond |
scope="row"| "Garden" (featuring Julia Church)
| — | |
scope="row"| "Uhuru" (featuring Azana)
| | |
scope="row"| "Never Never" (featuring Nobuhle)
| |RiSA: Gold{{Cite certification|region=South Africa|access-date=5 July 2023}} |
Scope="row"| "Into Ingawe" (featuring Ami Faku)
| |{{Non-album single}} |
scope="row"| "Higher" (featuring Simmy)
|rowspan="3"|2021 |6 | |rowspan="3"|African Electronic Dance Music |
Scope="row"| "Amateki" (featuring Bholoja)
| | |
Scope="row"| "Woza" (featuring Linos Rosetta)
| | |
scope="row"|"Respond" (Miči, Sun-EL Musician)
| 2022 | — | |{{Non-album single}} |
scope="row" | "Amandla" (Sun-El Musician, Msaki)
| 2023 | — | |{{Non-album single}} |
scope="row" | "Hamba Nami" (Sun-El Musician, Fearless Musiq, Section Five){{cite web|title=Renowned DJ Sun-El Musician drops new single in celebration of his 35th birthday|work=MSN|access-date=2024-03-30|url=https://www.msn.com/en-za/news/other/renowned-dj-sun-el-musician-drops-new-single-in-celebration-of-his-35th-birthday/ar-BB1kGJI2}}
|rowspan=4|2024 |— | |{{Non-album single}} |
scope="row" | "Inhliziyo" (Sun-EL Musician, Mthandazo Gatya, Anzo featuring Kenza)
|— | |{{Non-album single}} |
scope="row" | "feelings" (Miči, Frigid Armadillo, Sun-El Musician)
|— | |{{Non-album single}} |
scope="row" | "Dangerous" (Sun-El Musician, Jnr SA)
|— | |{{Non-album single}} |
scope="row" | "Sunshine" (Frigid Armadillo, Sun-El Musician)
|rowspan=2|2025 |— | |{{Non-album single}} |
scope="row" | "You're Light" (Sun-El Musician, Msaki, Karyendasoul)
|— | |{{Non-album single}} |
colspan="8" style="font-size:90%"| "—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory. |
= Production and songwriting credits =
class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;"
|+List of production and songwriting credits, showing original artists, year released and album name |
scope="col" style="width:15em;"| Title
! scope="col" style="width:1em;"| Year ! scope="col"| Artist(s) ! scope="col"| Album ! scope="col"| Credit(s) ! scope="col"| Written with: ! scope="col"| Produced with: |
---|
scope="row"| "Ngiyesaba"
| 2018 | Simmy | Tugela Fairy | rowspan="2"|Producer | Simmy | |
scope="row"| "Wawundithembisile"
| rowspan="2"| 2021 | {{non-album single}} | Zolani Mahola | Kenza (SA) |
Scope="row"|"Light House"
| TRESOR | Motion | Co-producer | |TRESOR |
scope="row"| "Ezangakini"
| 2022 | Professor featuring Shwi, and Sun-El Musician{{cite web|title=Kwaito legend Professor returns to music with Ezangakini ft Shwi & Sun-El Musician|url=https://www.iol.co.za/entertainment/music/local/kwaito-legend-professor-returns-to-music-with-ezangakini-ft-shwi-and-sun-el-musician-f2a49e28-68cf-4c68-9c36-83c3a7cddf37| publisher=Independent Online | access-date=2022-05-21| first=Shingai |last=Darangwa| date=2022-03-29}} | {{non-album single}} | Producer | Mkhonzeni Langa, Mandla Xaba, Zwelenduna Magubane, and Khethonjani Dludla | Mpho.Wav and Tebogo Mbolekwa |
scope="row"| "Indlela"
|2023 | Drega, Sun-El Musician and Maline Aura | {{non-album single}} | Producer | Bonga Ntozini, Sanele Sithole and Thandolwethu Nkomo | Drega |
= Guest appearances =
class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;"
! scope="col" style="width:14em;" |Title ! scope="col" |Year ! scope="col" |Other artist(s) ! scope="col" |Album |
scope="row" |"Ndivulele"
|2019 |Imali |
---|
scope="row" |"Hosana"
|rowspan="3"|2020 |
scope="row" |"Yasha Imizi"
| Claudio x Kenza | Circle of Life |
scope="row" | "Shine"
|S-Tone |Mbabane |
scope="row" |"Control"
|rowspan=4|2021 |Imizamo |
scope="row" |"Jungle"
|Kenza |Fly Away |
scope="row" | "You need Me"
|Black Coffee |Subconsciously |
scope="row" |"Ngaphesheya"
|Mobi Dixon, Nombila, Massive Ricco |When House Was House |
scope="row" |"Idwala"
|rowspan=5|2022 |Idwala |
scope="row" | "Africa Hey"
|Ndlovu Youth Choir |Greatful |
scope="row" |"Esikhathini"
|Murumba Pitch |Horumar |
scope="row" | "Umthwalo"
|Vitoto |Afro Nation |
scope="row" | "Am Going"
|DJ Bongz, Zaba, Sykes |Road Trip |
Other charted and certified songs
class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;" border="1"
|+ List of other charted songs, 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" |"Best Friend" (Sun-EL Musician, Msaki)
|2021 |Gold |
colspan="8" style="font-size:90%"| "—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory. |
Tours
Awards and nominations
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- {{AllMusic|class=artist|id=-mn0003690636|name=Sun-EL Musician}}
{{authority control}}
Category:University of KwaZulu-Natal alumni