Yallunder

{{Short description|South African singer-songwriter (1994–2025)}}

{{Multiple issues|

}}

{{Infobox person

| name = Yallunder

| birth_name = Yolanda Nyembezi

| alias =

| birth_date = {{Birth date|1994|08|23|df=yes}}

| birth_place = Mbizana, South Africa

| death_date = {{Death date and age|2025|03|13|1994|8|23|df=yes}}

| death_place = Johannesburg, South Africa

| alma_mater = Tshwane University of Technology

| module = {{infobox musical artist

| embed = yes

| occupations = {{hlist|Singer|songwriter}}

| genre = Afro-soul

| instruments = Vocals

| years_active = 2018–2025

| label = {{flatlist|

1020 Cartel
The Vth Season
Masani

}}

Yolanda Nyembezi (23 August 1994 – 13 March 2025), professionally known as Yallunder, was a South African singer and songwriter. Born and raised in Bizana, Nyembezi signed her first record deal with 1020 Cartel, released her EP Uthando Lwam in 2020.

Life and career

Yolanda Nyembezi was born on 23 August 1994 in the village of Sea View in Mbizana (now Bizana), Eastern Cape.{{cite web|date=14 March 2025|first=Constance |last=Gaanakgomo|title='Left an unimaginable void': Singer-songwriter Yolanda 'Yallunder' Nyembezi, 30, has died|url= https://www.news24.com/life/arts-and-entertainment/celebrities/left-an-unimaginable-void-singer-songwriter-yolanda-yallunder-nyembezi-30-has-died-20250314|work=News24| access-date=15 March 2025}}{{cite web |title=Yallunder biography {{!}} Music In Africa |date=27 January 2022 |url=https://www.musicinafrica.net/directory/yallunder-0 |access-date=7 May 2022 |publisher=Music In Africa}}

Yallunder attended Nongeke S.S.S where she matriculated. In 2016, she graduated at Tshwane University of Technology.{{cite web|date=17 March 2018|first=Sheree |last=Bega|title=Must opera now completely die in SA before people wake up?|url= https://www.iol.co.za/saturday-star/canvas/must-opera-now-completely-die-in-sa-before-people-wake-up-13871442|work=Independent Online| access-date=7 May 2022}}{{cite news|publisher=SNL24|url=https://www.snl24.com/drum/celebs/news/yallunder-is-coming-for-it-all-after-working-with-black-coffee-20230606|title=Yallunder is coming for it all after working with Black Coffee|url-access=subscription|date=6 June 2023|first=Keamogetswe |last=Matlala|location=South Africa |language=en-ZA}} That same year, Yallunder began recording cover songs.{{cite web|title=Yallunder Reflects On Her Career Journey|url=https://tutlogin.co.za/yallunder-reflects-on-her-career-journey/ |access-date=10 June 2024|work=TUT Login|date=6 June 2024}}

In February 2018, Nyembezi covered "Buya" by Black Coffee released off Piece of Me (2015).{{cite news|location=South Africa |access-date=25 June 2022|title=WATCH: Black Coffee blown away by this fans rendition of his song|date=28 February 2018|url-access =subscription|url=https://www.news24.com/Channel/watch-black-coffee-blown-away-by-this-fans-rendition-of-his-song-20180228}}

After her graduation she joined Gauteng Opera, later she met Sjava who signed her to 1020 Cartel, she has co-written and also featured on the compilation Isambulo which was released on 28 August 2020.{{cite web|first=Quincy |last=Mahlangu|date=28 August 2020| access-date=7 May 2022| work= Daily SUN|title=Sjava's label drops iSambulo {{!}} Dailysun |url=https://www.dailysun.co.za/amp/dailysun/celebs/sjavas-label-drops-isambulo-20200827}}{{cite web|date=28 August 2020|first=Nokulunga|last=Maqubela|title=Newly Launched Label, 1020 Cartel Release Their First Ever Project "iSambulo" {{!}} Slikouronlife| access-date =7 May 2022| work=Slikouronlife|url=https://slikouronlife.co.za/blog/18409/newly-launched-label-at-1020cartel-release-their-first-ever-project-isambulo}} Her first project Uthando Lwam was released in November 2020.{{cite web|date=12 November 2020|title=Listen To Yallunder's Debut EP 'Uthando Lwam' - OkayAfrica| first=Madzadza|last= Miya| access-date =7 May 2022|work=OkayAfrica|url= https://www.okayafrica.com/amp/yallunder-uthando-lwam-ep-stream-2648886934}}{{cite web|title=Yallunder Releases Debut EP Titled "Uthando Lwam" - Blazon Magazine| access-date =7 May 2022| work =Blazon Magazine| date =16 November 2020|url= https://www.blazonmagazine.co.za/yallunder-releases-debut-ep-titled-uthando-lwam/amp/}} At the 15th ceremony of South African Traditional Music Awards, her song "Impilo Iyaqhubeka" was nominated for Best IsiXhosa Artist/Group.{{cite web|title=South African Traditional Music Achievement Awards 2021: All the nominees {{!}} Music In Africa|url= https://www.musicinafrica.net/magazine/south-african-traditional-music-achievement-awards-2021-all-nominees|first=Ano|last= Shumba

|access-date=7 October 2021| work=Music In Africa|date= 7 October 2021}}

In August 2021, she established her show Truth, which premiered on Locaflix.{{cite web|date=5 August 2021|first=Andiswa|last=Ngenyane|title=YALLUNDER OPENS UP IN NEW SHOW! {{!}} Dailysun| access-date =7 May 2022| work = Dailysun|url= https://www.dailysun.co.za/amp/dailysun/celebs/yallunder-opens-up-in-new-show-20210804}}

In early May 2022, she signed a record deal with The Vth Season,{{cite web|first=Shingai|last= Darangwa|title=Yallunder signs with Vth Season, joining heavyweights Ami Faku, AKA and more| publisher =Independent Online | access-date =7 May 2022|date=4 May 2022|url=https://www.iol.co.za/entertainment/music/local/yallunder-signs-with-vth-season-joining-heavyweights-ami-faku-aka-and-more-1dfa7975-d935-4a93-b2cc-5468a8c985ac}}{{cite web|title=Yallunder signs with Vth Season, joining heavyweights Ami Faku, AKA and more|work=MSN| access-date =7 May 2022|url=https://www.msn.com/en-za/news/other/yallunder-signs-with-vth-season-joining-heavyweights-ami-faku-aka-and-more/ar-AAWV9Me?li=BBqg4eh}} and released her single "Emaphupheni Am", on 6 May.

In early June 2023, Yallunder established her own record label Masani Music. That same month she announced her debut studio album Kum, released on 4 August 2023. Its lead single "11:11 Makukhanye" was released on 9 June 2023.

Yallunder released "Imali", featuring Mpho.Wav and Kenza on 26 October 2023.

Yallunder died at the Charlotte Maxeke Academic Hospital in Johannesburg, on 13 March 2025, at the age of 30.{{cite web|title=Singer Yolanda 'Yallunder' Nyembezi dies - Times Live| access-date =15 March 2025| work =Times Live| date =14 March 2025|url= https://www.timeslive.co.za/tshisa-live/tshisa-live/2025-03-14-yolanda-yallunder-nyembezi-dies/}}

Discography

= Studio albums =

Kum (2023)

= Collaborative albums =

iSambulo (2020)

= Extended plays=

Uthando Lwam (2020)

= 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" \|"Inhliziyo" \|rowspan=3\|2020 \|Nue_Sam \|rowspan=3\|iSambulo
scope="row" \|"Abanjani" \|Mzukulu, Anzo
scope="row" \|"Ndinovalo" \|
scope="row" \|"Bawo" \|2022 \|Kabza De Small, Nobuhle \|KOA II Part 1
scope="row" \|"Imvuselelo" \|rowspan=5\|2024 \|Kelvin Momo, Thamie Sax \|rowspan=3\|Sewe
scope="row" \|"Themba" \|Kelvin Momo, Mkeyz
scope="row" \|"Lang'elihle \|Kelvin Momo, Babalwa M, Sia Mzizi
scope="row" \| "Mthuthuzeli" \| Babalwa M \|Candour
scope="row" \| "Intyantyambo" \|Kelvin Momo, Babalwa M \|Ntsako

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" |"Inhliziyo"

|rowspan=3|2020

|Nue_Sam

|rowspan=3|iSambulo

scope="row" |"Abanjani"

|Mzukulu, Anzo

scope="row" |"Ndinovalo"

scope="row" |"Bawo"

|2022

|Kabza De Small, Nobuhle

|KOA II Part 1

scope="row" |"Imvuselelo"

|rowspan=5|2024

|Kelvin Momo, Thamie Sax

|rowspan=3|Sewe

scope="row" |"Themba"

|Kelvin Momo, Mkeyz

scope="row" |"Lang'elihle

|Kelvin Momo, Babalwa M, Sia Mzizi

scope="row" | "Mthuthuzeli"

| Babalwa M

|Candour

scope="row" | "Intyantyambo"

|Kelvin Momo, Babalwa M

|Ntsako

Achievements

= City Awards =

|2021

|Herself

|Best Newcomer of the Year

|{{won}}

= South African Dance Music Awards =

! {{abbrv|Ref.|References}}

|2024

|Herself

|Best Female Vocalist

|{{pending}}

= South African Traditional Music Awards =

! {{abbrv|Ref.|References}}

|2021

|Uthando Lwam

|Best IsiXhosa Artist/Group

|{{nom}}

|{{cite web|title=All the Satma Awards 2021 winners |first=Thobile |last=Mazibuko

|url=https://www.iol.co.za/amp/entertainment/music/local/all-the-satma-awards-2021-winners-b7ebb673-2bbe-4c67-adff-f99e4d4c7623| access-date =29 November 2021|date=29 November 2021| work=Independent Online}}{{cite web|title=South African Traditional Music Achievement Awards 2021: All the winners {{!}} Music In Africa |url=https://www.musicinafrica.net/magazine/south-african-traditional-music-achievement-awards-2021-all-winners| publisher=Music In Africa| access-date=26 March 2022| first=Butchie |last=Seroto| date=1 December 2021}}{{Cite web|url=https://rawpraise.ng/album-kelvin-momo-sewe/|title=Kelvin MomoSewe Album Zip .|date=14 August 2024|website=RawPraise NG}}{{Cite web|url=https://musictunes.com.ng/album-download/asake-lungu-boy-album/|title=Asake Lungu Boy Album Zip Download.|date=14 August 2024|website=MusicTunes NG}}