Tellaman

{{short description|South African singer}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2019}}

{{Infobox musical artist

| name = Tellaman

| image = Tellaman Wiki.jpg

| landscape = yes

| birth_name = Thelumusa Samuel Owen

| alias =

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=y|1991|04|12}}

| birth_place = Durban, KwaZulu Natal, South Africa

| genre = {{hlist|Hip hop|R&B}}

| occupation = {{hlist|Singer|Record producer|songwriter}}

| years_active = 2006–present

| label = {{flatlist|

| associated_acts = {{flatlist|

}}

Thelumusa Samuel Owen (born 12 April 1991), better known by his stage name Tellaman is a South African singer, songwriter and record producer. Growing up in a musical background, he is most known for a number one charting single by DJ Speedsta titled "Mayo"{{Cite web|url=https://www.zkhiphani.co.za/speedstas-mayo-hits-number-one-spot/|title=Speedsta's mayo hits number ONE spot|date=24 October 2016|work=Zkhiphani.com|access-date=11 February 2018|url-status=live|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20180212083511/https://www.zkhiphani.co.za/speedstas-mayo-hits-number-one-spot/|archivedate=12 February 2018}} which features himself, Yung Swiss, Frank Casino & Shane Eagle.

Early life and career

Tellaman was born and raised in Durban Kwazulu Natal, South Africa. He is a self-taught musician whose interest in music was sparked by his mother, who had him singing at home, at church and in a youth choir. At the age of fifteen he decided to pursue music as a career and began writing and recording his own music.

Tellaman was signed and featured in Soul Candi Record's compilation album titled Sould Candi Sessions 15, alongside MoFlava, Lulo Café, Cueber and Hareal Salko. Tellaman's disc, titled Ntsikelelo, included hit singles "Drinks and Music" featuring Okmalumkoolkat{{Cite web|url=http://yuledark.co.za/drink-music/|title=Drink & Music|date=26 September 2014|work=Yule Dark|access-date=11 February 2018|url-status=live|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20180212083412/http://yuledark.co.za/drink-music/|archivedate=12 February 2018}} and "Intoxicated" featuring Lastee. The album sales passed Gold status and it was nominated for the Best Compilation Award at the 2015 Metro FM Awards.{{Cite web|url=https://www.zkhiphani.co.za/dont-sleep-on-these-vocalists/|title=Don't SLEEP ON These Vocalists|date=30 November 2016|work=Zkhiphani.com|access-date=11 February 2018|url-status=live|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20180212083506/https://www.zkhiphani.co.za/dont-sleep-on-these-vocalists/|archivedate=12 February 2018}}{{Cite web|url=http://quenchsa.com/2017/02/14/tellaman-opens-music-friendship-love-life-exclusive-interview/|title=Tellaman Opens Up About His Music, Friendship & Love Life in Exclusive Interview|work=quenchsa.com|access-date=13 March 2018|url-status=live|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20180314043801/http://quenchsa.com/2017/02/14/tellaman-opens-music-friendship-love-life-exclusive-interview/|archivedate=14 March 2018}}{{cite news|last=Mangena|first=Ancillar|title=Man Crush Monday: Tellaman|url=https://randburgsun.co.za/245336/man-crush-monday-tellaman/|url-status=live|work=Randburg Sun|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180324105929/https://randburgsun.co.za/245336/man-crush-monday-tellaman/|archive-date=24 March 2018|accessdate=13 March 2018}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.spree.co.za/the-thread/tellaman-for-spree-man/|title=TELLAMAN FOR SPREE MAN|work=spree.co.za|access-date=13 March 2018|url-status=live|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20180314104503/https://www.spree.co.za/the-thread/tellaman-for-spree-man/|archivedate=14 March 2018}} In June 2016 his EP Mind Vs Heart was released, followed by another EP titled Lucid Dreams which was released in February 2017.{{Cite web|url=http://hypemagazine.co.za/2016/06/10/tellaman-drops-new-mind-heart-project-listendownload/|title=Tellaman Drops New 'Mind Vs Heart' Project|website=hypemagazine.co.za|access-date=11 February 2018|url-status=live|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20180212083536/http://hypemagazine.co.za/2016/06/10/tellaman-drops-new-mind-heart-project-listendownload/|archivedate=12 February 2018}} On 18 May 2018, he signed a record deal with Universal Music South Africa,{{cite web |title=Tellaman signs with Universal Music South Africa |url=https://www.zkhiphani.co.za/tellaman-signs-with-universal-music-south-africa/ |website=Online Youth Magazine {{!}} Zkhiphani.com |access-date=10 May 2022 |date=20 May 2018}} and released "No Sharing", on 13 July 2018, as his first official single under Universal Music South Africa.

On 1 February 2019, Tellaman released his fourth album God Decides, through Universal Music South Africa.{{cite web|url=https://www.iol.co.za/entertainment/music/local/whipped-hitmaker-tellaman-gets-candid-about-his-latest-album-god-decides-23620815|title=Whipped hitmaker Tellaman gets candid about his latest album god decides|publisher=iol.co.za|accessdate=2020-02-17|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190520152218/https://www.iol.co.za/entertainment/music/local/whipped-hitmaker-tellaman-gets-candid-about-his-latest-album-god-decides-23620815|archive-date=20 May 2019|url-status=live}} Lead singles from the album, include: "No Sharing", "Crew Lit", and "Practice". On 29 November 2019, Tellman signed an international deal with Motown Records and Virgin EMI Records.{{cite web |title=Tellaman scores international deal with Motown US and Virgin UK |url=https://www.timeslive.co.za/tshisa-live/tshisa-live/2019-11-29-tellaman-scores-international-deal-with-motown-us-and-virgin-uk/ |website=TimesLIVE |access-date=10 May 2022 |language=en-ZA |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200810104334/https://www.timeslive.co.za/tshisa-live/tshisa-live/2019-11-29-tellaman-scores-international-deal-with-motown-us-and-virgin-uk/ |archive-date=10 August 2020 |url-status=dead}} In May 2020, he signed a record deal with Def Jam Recordings Africa.{{cite web |author=Staff Reporter |title=Cassper Nyovest, Nadia Nakai and Tshego join Def Jam Africa |url=https://www.iol.co.za/entertainment/music/local/cassper-nyovest-nadia-nakai-and-tshego-join-def-jam-africa-48531145 |website=www.iol.co.za |access-date=10 May 2022 |language=en}}

Discography

= Albums =

class="wikitable"

!Album Title

!Album Details

Soul Candi Sessions 15

|

  • Released: 2 December 2014
  • Label: Soul Candi Records
  • Formats: Digital download, CD
Mind vs Heart

|

Lucid Dream

|

God Decides

|

Singles

= As lead artist =

List of singles as lead artist, with selected chart positions and certifications, showing year
released and album name

class="wikitable"

!Title

!Year

!Peak Chart Positions

!Certifications

!Album

colspan="2" |

!South Africa (EMA)

! colspan="2" |

Drinks & Music (feat. Okmalukoolkat)

|2014

| –

| –

|Soul Candi Sessions 15

Intoxicated (feat. Lastee)

|2015

| –

| –

|Soul Candi Sessions 15

Noma Kanjan' (feat. Nasty C){{Citation|title=Noma Kanjan (feat. Nasty C) – Single by Tellaman on Apple Music|date=4 March 2016|url=https://music.apple.com/za/album/noma-kanjan-feat-nasty-c-single/1445314081|access-date=11 February 2018|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180212012006/https://itunes.apple.com/za/album/noma-kanjan-feat-nasty-c-single/1088363509|archive-date=12 February 2018}}

|2015

| –

| –

|Non-Album Single

Wena (feat. J. Something){{Cite news|url=https://www.slikouronlife.co.za/blog/8903/get-ready-for-tellamans-wena-music-video-ft-j-something|title=Get Ready For @Real_Tellaman Wena Music Video ft @jsomethingmusic|access-date=11 February 2018|url-status=live|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20180212201517/https://www.slikouronlife.co.za/blog/8903/get-ready-for-tellamans-wena-music-video-ft-j-something|archivedate=12 February 2018}}

|2017

| –

| –

|Lucid Dream

I'm Gone (feat. Nasty C){{Citation|title="I'm Gone (feat. Nasty C)" from Lucid Dream by Tellaman on iTunes|date=3 February 2017|url=https://itunes.apple.com/za/album/im-gone-feat-nasty-c/1202733146?i=1202733639|access-date=11 February 2018|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180212005336/https://itunes.apple.com/za/album/im-gone-feat-nasty-c/1202733146?i=1202733639|archive-date=12 February 2018}}

|2017

| –

| –

|Lucid Dream

S.A.P (feat. Nasty C & Da L.E.S){{Citation|title="S.A.P (feat. Nasty C & Da Les)" from S.A.P (feat. Nasty C & Da Les) – Single by Tellaman on iTunes|date=3 August 2017|url=https://itunes.apple.com/za/album/s-a-p-feat-nasty-c-da-les/1267663390?i=1267663808|access-date=11 February 2018|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180212013522/https://itunes.apple.com/za/album/s-a-p-feat-nasty-c-da-les/1267663390?i=1267663808|archive-date=12 February 2018}}

|2017

|29

| –

|Lucid Dream

Whipped (feat. Shekinah & Nasty C)

|2019

|1

| 5× Platinum

|God Decides

Cross My Heart (feat. Alpha P){{Citation|title=Tellaman Enlists Alpha P On Stirring New Single 'Cross My Heart Remix'|date=6 July 2020|url=https://culturecustodian.com/tellaman-featuring-alpha-p-cross-my-heart-remix/|accessdate=25 March 2021}}

|2020

| –

| –

|Non-Album Single

Awards and nominations

class="wikitable plainrowheaders"

!Year

!Award Ceremony

!Prize

!Work/Receiptient

!Result

!{{abbrv|Ref.|References}}

scope="row"|2013

|rowspan="2"|South African Music Awards

|Remix of the Year

|Select Play

| {{Nom}}

|{{Cite news|url=http://www.channel24.co.za/Music/News/Here-all-the-nominees-for-the-SAMAs-2015-20150312|title=All the nominees for the 2015 SAMAs|work=Channel24|access-date=10 January 2018|url-status=live|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20180212004918/https://www.channel24.co.za/Music/News/Here-all-the-nominees-for-the-SAMAs-2015-20150312|archivedate=12 February 2018}}

scope="row"|2020

|Best R&B/Soul Album

|God Decides

| {{Nom}}

|

References

{{Reflist}}