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Lindokuhle Mgedeza (born 7 October 1995), known professionally as Mlindo the Vocalist, is a South African singer and songwriter. He initially gained notable recognition following his debut single, "Amablesser", taken from his debut album, Emakhaya (2018).

Life and career

1995–2016: Early life and beginnings

Lindokuhle Magedeza was born in the year 1995 in Port Shepstone, KwaZulu-Natal. At the age of four, he became part of a local church where he discovered his vocal skills. Mlindo attended the Phathwa High School in Gcilima, a borough of Margate.

As he considered starting a musical career, Mlindo later went to Eastern Cape where he joined a hip hop group Flow Riders in 2010. He mainly took part in vocals. In 2014, he established an a cappella group White Bread, after his departure on Flow Riders. White Bread was a success as they won several accolades, including Search for the Stars, held in uShaka Marine World, Durban. In 2017, he won a talent competition Golden Search in Richards Bay, which gave him an opportunity to work with record label Afrotainment, owned by producer DJ Tira. At this year, Mlindo the vocalist was a social media sensation as he uploaded videos covering popular songs. The notable video of him covering a stripped-down version of DJ Maphorisa song "Midnight Starring" went viral. After being discovered by DJ Maphorisa on Twitter, he signed him to his label BlaqBoy Music, then later signed with Universal Music Africa.

2018–2019: Emakhaya

On 6 February 2018, Mlindo was featured on Sun-El Musician's song "Bamthathile", becoming a successful hit in various South African radio stations, reaching atop on local charts. He then released his debut single "AmaBlesser" which featured and was produced by DJ Maphorisa. The song eventually became a hit and was certified four times platinum by RiSA on 10 May 2019. As he rose to prominence, Mlindo helped his family by concluding disadvantages they faced. He managed to hire a house for his brother, and helped his unemployed mother.

After the success of his single "AmaBlesser", Mlindo revealed his debut album cover and its release date as it was made available for pre-order on iTunes. His debut album Emakhaya was released on 21 September 2018. The album was certified platinum by RiSA and managed to get almost 45 million streams countrywide as of May 2019. The second single "Macala" managed to reach number-one in South Africa, following the success of his lead single. The album earned Mlindo three nominations at the 25th edition of the South African Music Awards; Best Newcomer of the Year, Best Produced Album and Best Afro Pop Album.

2020-present: Umthandazo, Lindokuhle

Mlindo was reportedly working on his second studio album by August 2020. In 2020, he released two singles titled "Yekela" featuring Masiano & Vusi Nova followed by "Mali" single featuring Nathi.

In late June 2022, he made announcement on his Instagram account off his second studio album.

Lindokuhle was released on July 22, 2022.

Discography

Studio albums

• Emakhaya (2018)
• Lindokuhle (2022)

Awards and nominations

KZN Entertainment Awards

Metro FM Music Awards

References

1. "Mlindo the vocalist on blessers i know what it's like to be the other guy". timeslive.co.za. 21 September 2018. Retrieved 17 February 2020.
2. "UGU Jazz Arts Festival kicks into high gear". South CoasHerald.
3. "Mlindo the Vocalist: Biography". My TV News.
4. "Mlindo the Vocalist". LAWK Communications.
5. "Gallery – Mlindo the Vocalist". Snaps4Music.
6. "Local artist 'gets a break' on Twitter". News24.
7. "MLINDO IN CONTRACT MIX-UP". Daily Sun.
8. "Bamthathile (feat. Mlindo The Vocalist) – Single by Sun-El Musician". Apple.
9. "DJ Maphorisa finds a new 'star' on Twitter". Channel24.
10. "Mlindo The Vocalist's Debut Album, "Emakhaya" Goes Platinum". Zkhipani.
11. "Mlindo The Vocalist on blessers: I know what it is like to be the other guy". TimesLIVE.
12. "Emakhaya by Mlindo The Vocalist". Apple.
13. "Mlindo The Vocalist Finally Drops Debut Album, Emakhaya". Zkhipani.
14. "Mlindo the Vocalist collects plaques as debut album goes platinum". City Buzz.
15. "SAMA newcomer nominees show a bright future for SA music". SowetanLIVE.
16. "SAMAs 2019: All the nominees". Music in Africa.
17. "Mlindo The Vocalist reveals title of sophomore album, Umthandazo – JustNje". JustNje. 1 September 2020. Retrieved 21 November 2021.
18. Israel A, John (17 August 2021). "Mlindo The Vocalist To Release Second Album 'Umthandazo' Soon". Ubetoo. Retrieved 21 November 2021.
19. Ntsinde, Mandisa. "#NewMusicFridays: Mlindo The Vocalist Teams Up With Nathi On New Single "Mali"". Zkhiphani.
20. Kandi, Privie (25 June 2022). "Mlindo the Vocalist Announces New Album Release After a Long Break: 'I'm Back, No More Depression'". Briefly. Retrieved 28 June 2022.
21. Vikilahle, Luthando (22 July 2022). "New Music Friday: Introducing Mlindo The Vocalist's new album Lindokuhle". GQ.
22. Bukola (17 December 2020). "See all the winners from the first KZN Entertainment Awards". Fakaza News.
23. Shumba, Ano (7 May 2023). "Metro FM Awards 2023: All the winners".

External links

• Mlindo the Vocalist at AllMusic

• South African pop singers
• 1995 births
• Living people
• South African singer-songwriters
• 21st-century South African male singers
• Zulu people
• Zulu-language singers of South Africa