Blxckie
Born
Sihle Sithole

(1999-11-24) 24 November 1999
Sydenham Heights, Durban, South Africa
NationalitySouth African
Other namesSomnyama
Alma materUniversity of KwaZulu-Natal
Occupations
  • Rapper
  • songwriter
  • record producer
Musical career
Also known assomnyama yena yedwa
Genres
Labels
  • M4 Entertainment
  • CCA
  • Taylor Records
Websiteblxckie.com

Sihle Sithole (born 24 November 1999), known professionally as Blxckie, is a South African rapper, singer, songwriter and record producer from Sydenham Heights, Durban.[1] His debut studio album B4Now (2021) was certified gold in South Africa.

Biography and career

Sihle Sithole was born on 24 November 1999 in Sydenham Heights, Durban, South Africa.[2][3] His musical interest started at the age of 8 when he recorded music with his friends.[2] Sithole enrolled at the University of KwaZulu-Natal with a degree in Psychology, but failed to graduate due to the lockdown during the COVID-19 pandemic.[2]

In an interview with Akho Mabandla, he commented that he felt there was a disconnect between South African artists and their fans, saying "It's almost like when an artist blows up or gets a little bit of fame, that goes straight to their head. But what they forget is that the fans will always be the thing that stands between you and greatness. As much as they love the music, we need them to keep listening if we want to stick around, and that's what I'm all about."[1][4]

In March 2020, Sithole visited Johannesburg as the country underwent a 21-day lockdown, as a result of COVID. Whilst in Johannesburg, his popularity soared as he released multiple songs on Soundcloud[5]

Early that same month, he was named Up Next artist by Apple Music.[6][7][8]

On 30 April 2021, his single "David" was released.[9] The song was certified gold in South Africa.[10]

On 10 May 2021, he announced a single "Ye ×4" featuring Nasty C and the release date via his Instagram account.[11][12] The song was released 14 May 2021.

"Ye×4" was certified double platinum with sales of over 40,000 units.[10]

His debut studio album B4Now was released on 21 May 2021. It features appearances from artists such as Nasty C, LucasRaps, FLVME, Rowlene, and LeoDaleo.[4][5][13] The album was certified gold in South Africa with sales of over 10,000 units.

Blxckie embarked on his B4Now Tour on 26 November, kicking off in his home city of Durban at The Warehouse; that included 10 dates that ran through to December 2021. The tour was supported by mainstream talents such as A-Reece, Nasty C, Zakes Bantwini, Nadia Nakai, Sjava, Focalistic, Okmalumkoolkat, Big Zulu, as well as upcoming talents such as Shizze, LeoDaLeo, 031Choppa, Clout Internet Boyz and itsbambino.[14][15]

He won Freshman of the Year and was nominated for Album of the Year (B4Now), Song of the Year ("Ye×4") and Best Collaboration at the South African Hip Hop Awards 2021.[16][17]

In December 2021, he ranked number 1 on MTV Base: SA's Hottest MCs.[18][19]

"Cold" was released as his new EP's lead single on 3 February 2022, at the time of release he also announced the release date of his EP via his Instagram account.[20]

On 18 February 2022, his EP 4LUV was released.[21] He later collaborated with fellow South African rapper A-Reece on the song "Sneaky".

He would then be nominated as the Best International Flow at the BET Hip Hop Awards in 2022.

Endorsement

In May 2022, he was announced as the ambassador of clothing brand Redbat x Sportscene.[22]

Discography

Studio albums

Title Type Album details Certification
B4Now
[23][24]		 Studio album
Gold

Singles and EPs

Title Type Album details Certification
Eqnx II EP
It Feels Like a Dream
Blxck Panda (with Khumz)
4LUV • Release date: 18 February 2022

• Label: M4 Entertainment

• Formats: Digital Download
The 4Mula •Release date: 2022

•Label: Taylor Records •Formats: Digital download
List of singles as featured artist, with selected chart positions and certifications, showing year released and album name
Title Year Peak chart positions Certifications Album
ZA
"Sete"
(K.O featuring Blxckie and Young Stunna)		 2022 1 2× Platinum[25][26] SR3
"Slow Down"( Holly Rey featuring Blxckie) 2023 — Non–Album single
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.

Awards and nominations

BET UK Hip Hop Awards

Year Nominee / work Award Result Ref.
2022 Himself Best International Flow Nominated [27]

Clout Africa Awards

Year Nominee / work Award Result Ref.
2022 Himself Songwriter of the Year Won [28]

References

  1. 1 2 "The Rise of Blxckie". BREAKROOM AFRICA. Archived from the original on 2 January 2022. Retrieved 2 January 2022.
  2. 1 2 3 Mbendeni, Alutho (22 July 2021). "Rapper Blxckie on his album success and new found fame | Drum". Drum. Archived from the original on 4 January 2022. Retrieved 27 May 2022.
  3. ↑ "blxckie's about page on YouTube". Archived from the original on 25 November 2022. Retrieved 3 December 2022.
  4. 1 2 "How Blxckie breathed new life into SA hip hop in 2021". www.iol.co.za. Archived from the original on 2 January 2022. Retrieved 2 January 2022.
  5. 1 2 "Meet Blxckie: South African hip-hop's new kid on the block [watch]". thesouthafrican.com. Archived from the original on 4 January 2022. Retrieved 11 January 2022.
  6. ↑ "BLXCKIE ANNOUNCED AS APPLE MUSIC UP NEXT ARTIST IN SOUTH AFRICA". TRACE. 23 March 2021. Archived from the original on 11 April 2021. Retrieved 2 January 2022.
  7. ↑ Shumba, Ano (19 March 2021). "SA: Blxckie featured on Apple Music Up Next". Music In Africa. Archived from the original on 27 July 2021. Retrieved 2 January 2022.
  8. ↑ "Blxckie Named Apple Music's 'Up Next' Artist". okayafricasite. Archived from the original on 2 January 2022. Retrieved 2 January 2022.
  9. ↑ "BLXCKIE drops new single 'David' ahead of debut album 'B4Now' | YoMzansi". YoMzansi. 30 April 2021. Archived from the original on 27 May 2022. Retrieved 27 May 2022.
  10. 1 2 Keteyi, Oluthando (24 May 2022). "Blxckie celebrates 10 plaques in one year and bags brand deal". Independent Online. Archived from the original on 27 May 2022. Retrieved 27 May 2022.
  11. ↑ "New Blxckie x Nasty C 'Ye X 4' Drops Friday | Hype Magazine". Hype Magazine. 11 May 2021. Archived from the original on 25 September 2021. Retrieved 27 May 2022.
  12. ↑ "Blxckie and Nasty C Prove Durban Really Got The Juice in New Single 'Ye ×4' - OkayAfrica". OkayAfrica. Archived from the original on 27 May 2022. Retrieved 27 May 2022.
  13. ↑ "Blxckie announced as Apple Music's next Africa Rising Artist and it speaks volumes about his current influence". Texx and the City. 5 July 2021. Archived from the original on 2 January 2022. Retrieved 2 January 2022.
  14. ↑ Rasephei, Sekese (25 December 2021). "Blxckie To Kickstart His Countrywide B4Now Tour This Friday - The Plug". The Plug. Archived from the original on 21 May 2022. Retrieved 28 May 2022.
  15. ↑ "Blxckie to celebrate debut album with countrywide tour | Rising Sun Overport". Rising Sun Overport. 6 December 2021. Archived from the original on 1 December 2022. Retrieved 28 May 2022.
  16. ↑ "All the drama and who the Artist of the Decade is". News24. Archived from the original on 11 December 2021. Retrieved 2 January 2022.
  17. ↑ "SOUTH AFRICAN HIP-HOP AWARDS: NOMINEES LIST:". thesouthafrican.com. 5 July 2021. Archived from the original on 2 January 2022. Retrieved 2 January 2022.
  18. ↑ Shumba, Ano (7 December 2021). "SA: MTV Base announces Hottest MCs of 2021". Music In Africa. Archived from the original on 6 March 2022. Retrieved 6 March 2022.
  19. ↑ Darangwa, Shingai (6 December 2021). "Blxckie rightfully crowned as SA's 'Hottest MC'". Independent Online. Archived from the original on 27 May 2022. Retrieved 27 May 2022.
  20. ↑ "Blxckie Announces New '4LUV' EP Dropping 18th Feb | Hype Magazine". Hype Magazine. 9 February 2022. Archived from the original on 28 May 2022. Retrieved 28 May 2022.
  21. ↑ Rasephei, Sekese (21 February 2022). "Blxckie releases his R&B rooted EP 4LUV to celebrate the month of love". theplugmag. Archived from the original on 29 June 2022. Retrieved 28 May 2022.
  22. ↑ Jabulani, John (24 May 2022). "Blxckie Announces New Partnership With RedBat". Ubetoo. Archived from the original on 28 May 2022. Retrieved 28 May 2022.
  23. ↑ "Blxckie Somnyama brings a fresh and unique sound to the local hip hop scene". sowetourban.co.za. Archived from the original on 4 January 2022. Retrieved 11 January 2022.
  24. ↑ "#NewMusicFridays: Blxckie Drops Debut Album, "B4Now" & It Is A Clear Winner". Online Youth Magazine | Zkhiphani.com. 21 May 2021. Archived from the original on 2 January 2022. Retrieved 2 January 2022.
  25. ↑ "K.O's 'SETE' Single Is Officially Platinum | Slikouronlife". Slikouronlife. 14 September 2022. Archived from the original on 15 September 2022. Retrieved 15 September 2022.
  26. ↑ Phukubye, Ofentse (27 September 2022). "MrCashtime's 'Sete' Single With Blxckie And Young Stunna Reaches Double Platinum". Slikour On Life. Archived from the original on 27 September 2022. Retrieved 27 September 2022.
  27. ↑ "Nakai and Blxckie nominated for 2022 BET Hip Hop awards". Sunday World. 13 September 2022. Archived from the original on 13 September 2022. Retrieved 13 September 2022.
  28. ↑ Hansen, Gabriel Myers (3 May 2022). "Clout Africa Awards 2022: All the winners | Music In Africa". Music In Africa. Archived from the original on 6 May 2022. Retrieved 6 May 2022.
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