Sabelo Mthembu is a musically dynamic South African singer and songwriter whose passion for music can be traced back to his very early childhood. He discovered his singing voice at the age of five in church. Growing up he discovered a variety of sounds, ranging from vocal jazz to world music, which can easily be traced in his music style. While studying, he joined the University of Johannesburg Choir as a chorister for 6 years, an experience that shaped his musical heritage. A self-trained jazz singer, his music oozes high standards of excellence with strong traces of Afro-jazz, soul, classical and world music.
His first television appearance was in 2007 on South African Idols where he competed until top 12. It was after his exit from the competition that he decided to pursue a solo music career. In June 2010 he was invited to perform on the opening night of the launch of the SONY 3D make.believe television technology for the 2010 FIFA world cup, with guests including general secretary of FIFA, Jerome Valcke, Shakira, Lucas Radebe, and many SONY executives from across the world.
Songs of Brotherhood, which was released in February 2013, is Sabelo Mthembu’s debut album project. Since its launch in February 2013, Songs of Brotherhood has received great reviews and exposure from the media. Sabelo has performed, appeared and been play listed on radio stations such as Metro fm, Kaya fm, Thetha fm, Ukhozi fm, Kasi fm, Radio Today, Bay FM and television programs such as Morning Live, Weekend Live, Sunrise eTV, Afro Café, Mzansi Insider (SABC1) and Sfunukwazi on Mzansi Magic.
His single, Ungumfowethu (song of brotherhood), was voted by Thetha FM listeners as the song of the month in April 2015. He has also been featured several times in a number of articles in the Sunday Sun, Daily Sun, Seventeen and Mail and Guardian, much to the delight of many of his loyal fans.
A Kasi Times online article described Sabelo as “the next big thang to hit the music world”, while Destiny Magazine credited him for writing “music that is able to touch the soul”. With effort and sheer dedication and with no distribution and marketing support from a major record label, the album sold in excess of a 1000 units after the first year of sale. In October 2013, he was invited to be one of the performing acts in the M.A.D festival in Ooty, India, and was the only act to represent the whole of Africa. He has since focused his efforts on getting much of his music to the rest of the world. In September 2015, his single “Angiphili Mawungekho” reached number 2 on the iTunes SA Jazz Charts. This is testimony to the growing demand and appreciation of his music.
28 сен 2024
