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The Voice of Africa (Kelly Khumalo album)

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The Voice of Africa
Studio album by
Released9 October 2020 (2020-10-09)
GenreAfro pop
LabelUniversal Music
Producer
  • Mondli Ngcobo
  • Asanda Mvana
  • Nduduzo Makhathini
  • Hubert Batundi Muisha
Kelly Khumalo chronology
Unleashed
(2018)
The Voice of Africa
(2020)
From a God to a King
(2023)
Singles from The Voice of Africa
  1. "Empini"
    Released: 19 June 2020
  2. "Undithatha Kancinci"
  3. "Esiphambanweni"
    Released: 11 September 2021

The Voice of Africa is the ninth studio album by South African singer Kelly Khumalo.[1] It was released on 9 October 2020 by Universal Music.[2] It was produced by Mondli Ngcobo.

The album was certified gold in South Africa.

Background

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On 13 February 2020, Kelly announced that she had started recording her ninth studio album on her Instagram account.[3]

Singles

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"Empini" was released as album's lead single on 19 June 2020, as well as accompanying music video.[4] The song peaked number one on South Africa Afro Pop Music charts.[5]

"Esiphambanweni" featuring Hlengiwe Mhlaba was released on 11 September 2021, as the third single,[6] peaked number one on South Africa Gospel charts.[7]

Commercial performance

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The Voice of Africa (TVOA) was certified gold in South Africa on 20 May 2021.[8]

Album track "Empini" was certified 4× platinum, "Esiphambanweni" 2× platinum, and "Ngathwala Ngaye" platinum.[9]

Track listing

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The Voice of Africa track listing
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Nok'khanya" 6:50
2."Kuyenyukela" 6:34
3."Empini" 4:49
4."Loshona Nini" 3:47
5."Undithatha Kancinci"Asanda Mvana4:22
6."Ngathwala Ngaye" (featuring Mondli Ngcobo) 4:28
7."Awazi Lutho" 4:31
8."Esphambanweni" (featuring Hlengiwe Mhlaba) 6:23
Total length:42:00

Personnel

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Credits for The Voice of Africa are adapted from AllMusic.[10]

  • Asanda Mvana – composer, producer
  • Kelly Khumalo – vocals, composer
  • Nduduzo Makhathini – producer
  • Mondli Ngcobo – composer, producer
  • Hubert Batundi Muisha – producer

Accolades

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The Voice of Africa was nominated for Best Afro Pop Album at the 27th South African Music Awards.[11]

Year Nominee / work Award Result
2021 The Voice of Africa Best Afro Pop Album Nominated

The Voice of Africa (Live)

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The Voice of Africa
Live album by
Released12 November 2021 (2021-11-12)
VenueSter Kinekor, Rosebank
StudioUniversal Music
GenreAfro pop[12]
Length51:00
ProducerMondli Ngcobo

The Voice of Africa is a live album by South African singer Kelly Khumalo.[12] It was recorded at Ster Kinekor, Rosebank in November 2021.[13]

The album incorporates elements of maskandi and traditional folk music, and gospel.[13]

Track listing

[edit]
Live edition track listing
No.TitleLength
1."Nok'khanya"5:58
2."Undithatha Kancinci"3:32
3."Ngathwala Ngaye" (featuring Mondli Ngcobo)5:44
4."Kuyenyukela"5:58
5."Loshona Nini"4:24
6."Awazi Lutho"7:08
7."Esiphambanweni" (featuring Hlengiwe Mhlaba)9:04
8."Empini"9:20
Total length:51:00

Certifications

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Certifications for The Voice of Africa
Region Certification Certified units/sales
South Africa (RISA)[14] Gold 10,000

Sales streaming figures based on certification alone.

Release history

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List of release dates, showing region, formats, label, editions and reference
Region Date Format(s) Label Edition(s) Ref.
South Africa 9 October 2020
  • CD
  • digital download
Universal Music Standard [15]

References

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  1. ^ "Kelly Khumalo Releases New Album – Ekurhuleni News". Ekurhuleni News. 14 October 2020. Retrieved 12 November 2021.
  2. ^ "Kelly Khumalo Releases Another Hit Album TVOA! - Mgosi". Mgosi. 29 October 2020. Retrieved 20 November 2021.
  3. ^ Salawu, Wuraola (14 February 2020). "Kelly Khumalo spends third consecutive day in studio working on upcoming album Ubetoo". Ubetoo. Retrieved 21 November 2021.
  4. ^ "Kelly Khumalo on her new single and how she deals with tension". Sowetan LIVE. Retrieved 21 November 2021.
  5. ^ "Kelly Khumalo enjoys number one song success — The Citizen". The Citizen. 28 October 2020. Retrieved 21 November 2021.
  6. ^ F Kays (11 September 2020). "Listen | Kelly Khumalo on new single and album, The Voice of Africa". Celebs Now. Retrieved 21 November 2021.
  7. ^ "Kelly Khumalo's 'Esphambanweni' hits the number 1 spot on 3 charts". Independent Online. 12 November 2020. Retrieved 21 November 2021.
  8. ^ Zwane, Nokuthula (20 May 2022). "Kelly Khumalo celebrates her album going gold | Channel". South Africa: Channel. Retrieved 21 May 2022.
  9. ^ Darangwa, Shingai (21 May 2022). "WATCH: Kelly Khumalo awarded several gold and platinum plaques". Independent Online. Retrieved 21 May 2022.
  10. ^ "The Voice of Africa - Kelly Khumalo | Credits | AllMusic". AllMusic. Retrieved 20 November 2021.
  11. ^ Dayile, Qhama (31 July 2021). "Here's the full list of the SAMA winners | Drum". South Africa: News24. Retrieved 21 November 2021.
  12. ^ a b de Wee, Naledi (17 November 2021). "Kelly Khumalo stuns with live version of 'The Voice of Africa' album [watch]". The South African. Retrieved 21 November 2021.
  13. ^ a b Darangwa, Shingai (16 November 2021). "Kelly Khumalo releases live version of her brilliant album, 'The Voice of Africa'". Independent Online. Retrieved 21 November 2021.
  14. ^ "South Africa certifications". Recording Industry of South Africa. Retrieved 13 December 2022.
  15. ^ "The Voice Of Africa by Kelly Khumalo on Apple Music". Apple Music. 9 October 2021. Retrieved 20 November 2021.