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— CH. 1 · BERGVILLE ROOTS AND MASKANDI SOUNDS —

Big Zulu

~2 min read · Ch. 1 of 6
6 sections

  • Siyabonga Nene was born on the 7th of April 1986 in Bergville, KwaZulu-Natal. He grew up listening to Maskandi and Isichathamiya music during his childhood years. His early influences included Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Phuzekemisi, and Imithente. These artists shaped his musical identity before he ever stepped into a recording studio. The sounds of rural KwaZulu-Natal became the foundation for his future career as Big Zulu.

  • Big Zulu spent several years working as a taxi driver before making a life-changing decision. He quit driving in 2008 to pursue music full time. Just after leaving the industry, he began writing songs and performing live shows. Four years later in 2013, he won the Red Bull Back to the City competition. This victory marked his first major breakthrough in the South African music scene. His debut single Donsa Nkabi arrived in 2016 and caught public attention immediately.

  • After years as an independent artist, Big Zulu signed with Universal Music Records in 2015. His debut album Ushun Wenkabi followed in July 2018 with singles like Ang'mazi umama and Home. A second studio album Ungqongqoshe Wongqongqoshe came out in 2019 featuring Ab Crazy, Mnqobi Yazo, FiFi Cooper, Kwesta, Caspper Nyovest, Musiholiq, and Truhitz. The lead single Ak'laleki featured Kwesta while Ama Million peaked at number five on iTunes charts. Sales of Vuma dlozi reached fifty thousand copies earning platinum certification from RiSA. He established his own record label called Nkabi Records during this period.

  • The third studio album Ichwane Lenyoka released in September 2021 spawned three chart-topping singles. Mali Eningi debuted at number two on Channel 0 Top 30 charts and earned double platinum status. Inhlupheko featuring Mduduzi Ncube reached number one on South African iTunes charts. Umuzi eSandton topped Shazam charts after its release on the 9th of July 2021. At the 27th annual South African Music Awards, Mali Eningi won Best Collaboration category. Zulu received seven awards including Album of the Year and Song of the Year at the 2021 South African Hip Hop Awards.

  • On the 17th of March 2023, Big Zulu announced a joint album with Sjava called Ukhamba under duo name Inkabi Zezwe. The lead single Umbayimbayi debuted number one on iTunes Top 50 and Spotify Top 100 South Africa consecutively. It earned triple platinum certification within months of release. The album itself came out on the 12th of May 2023 debuting number one in both South Africa and Eswatini. An Inkabi Zezwe tour ran from June

  • until September 2023 covering major cities. Collaborative projects continued with Undodakazi released on the 10th of October 2025 featuring Nkabikazi.

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Common questions

When was Big Zulu born and where did he grow up?

Siyabonga Nene, known professionally as Big Zulu, was born on the 7th of April 1986 in Bergville, KwaZulu-Natal. He grew up listening to Maskandi and Isichathamiya music during his childhood years.

What career did Big Zulu have before becoming a musician?

Big Zulu spent several years working as a taxi driver before making a life-changing decision. He quit driving in 2008 to pursue music full time.

Which album by Big Zulu earned platinum certification from RiSA?

Sales of Vuma dlozi reached fifty thousand copies earning platinum certification from RiSA. This album established his own record label called Nkabi Records during this period.

How many awards did Big Zulu win at the 2021 South African Hip Hop Awards?

Zulu received seven awards including Album of the Year and Song of the Year at the 2021 South African Hip Hop Awards. These accolades recognized his work following the release of Ichwane Lenyoka.

When was the joint album Ukhamba between Big Zulu and Sjava released?

The album itself came out on the 12th of May 2023 debuting number one in both South Africa and Eswatini. It followed an announcement made on the 17th of March 2023 under the duo name Inkabi Zezwe.

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All sources

78 references cited across the entry

  1. 1webHappy Birthday Big Zulu! A Look Into Big Zulu's Best Selling Records7 April 2021
  2. 2webBig Zulu bio age, girlfriend, arrested, songs, album, home, profileJulie Kwach — 22 April 2020
  3. 3webOne Mic TVSATVSA
  4. 4webBIG ZULU OPENS UP THE INDUSTRY!Zama Nteyi — 8 January 2020
  5. 5webBig Zulu Biography, Age, Real name, Music, Girlfriend, Net Worth19 November 2020
  6. 6webBasha Uhuru – Big Zulu
  7. 7webWinning Back to the City changed everything! Big Zulu opens up about his journey from taxi driver to chart-topping musicianCebolethu Shinga — 2024-07-16
  8. 8webTaxi driver-actor-rapper's album revs up legion of fans
  9. 9webBig Zulu Unleashes New Album, Ushun Wenkabi20 July 2018
  10. 10webBig Zulu Celebrates Momentous Achievement For Sophomore Album5 February 2021
  11. 11webDOWNLOAD: ALBUM: Big Zulu – Ungqongqoshe Wongqongqoshe »» Fakaza13 September 2019
  12. 12webAma Million (feat. Cassper Nyovest & Musiholiq)
  13. 13webBig Zulu Has Announced The "AmaMillion" Release Date SlikouronlifeJuly 30, 2019
  14. 14webBIG ZULU HITS MAJOR MILESTONE!
  15. 15webBig Zulu's Nkabi Nation Celebrates New Certifications » Ubetoo
  16. 16webBig Zulu releases new single, Vuma Dlozi, featuring Mnqobi YazoJustNje
  17. 17webBig Zulu's "Ungqongqoshe Wongqongqoshe" album certified gold | Fakaza News5 February 2021
  18. 18webAND THE SAMA NOMINEES ARE...
  19. 19webBig Zulu spreads his love for his culture in everything he doesBonolo Sekudu
  20. 20webChannel O - Blaq Diamond, Mduduzi, Big Zulu Dominate — Channel O Top 30 hChannel 0
  21. 21webBig Zulu's "Mali Eningi" reaches double platinum26 March 2021
  22. 22newsMTV Base ranks its Hottest MCs (and new wave artists) for 2020Mercia Tucker — 27 January 2021
  23. 23webBig Zulu Hints at Dropping a New Album for His 'Nkabi Nation'Thando Mpembe — 2021-01-20
  24. 24webBig Zulu Teases An Album Drop For The 'Nkabi Nation'Entertainment South Africa — 2021-01-21
  25. 25webBig Zulu goes from Imali Eningi to InhluphekoIndependent Online — March 18, 2021
  26. 26webBig Zulu's New Epic Single 'Inhlupheko' Hits Number 1 on iTunesMxolisi Mngadi — 24 March 2021
  27. 27webBig Zulu To Release 'Umuzi ESandton' Featuring Lwah Ndlunkulu This Friday.John Jabulani — 7 July 2021
  28. 28webBig Zulu Releases "Umuzi Esandton" (Feat. Lwah The Ndlunkulu) Slikouronlife9 July 2021
  29. 29webBig Zulu's 'Ichwane Lenyoka' Album Drops On The 3rd Of September And Here's What You Need To Know SlikouronlifeTheo Manjo — 16 August 2021
  30. 30webShazam
  31. 31webWatch Makhadzi, Mthandazo Gatya, Big Zulu, Pabi Cooper & Boohle Perform On Idols SAJohn Israel A — 13 September 2021
  32. 32webBig Zulu wins big at SA Hip Hop Awards - Sunday WorldAnelisa Sibanda — Sunday World — 2021-12-11
  33. 33newsSA: MTV Base announces Hottest MCs of 2021Ano Shumba — 7 December 2021
  34. 34webBig Zulu thanks 'Nkabi Nation' as his song tops the chartsConstance Gaanakgomo — TimesLIVE — 2022-02-27
  35. 35webBig Zulu Mocks SA Rappers Following His Chart-Topping ReignJohn Jabulani — 2022-06-11
  36. 36webBig Zulu Releases "Voicemail" Single featuring Mduduzi Ncube, Lwah Ndlunkulu, Siya Ntuli & Xowla2022-06-24
  37. 37webBig Zulu Reacts To "Voicemail" Reaching #1 On Apple MusicClive Banda — 2022-06-24
  38. 38webBig Zulu excitedly announced the success of his songs and albumNelly Mhlanga — 2022-09-02
  39. 39webThe Top 10 features 2 new entries
  40. 40webBig Zulu Shares 'Nkabi Nation' Album Tracklist Building Up To Imminent ReleaseClive Banda — 2022-08-06
  41. 41webSjava & Big Zulu Gear Up To Release A Joint Music ProjectClive Banda — 18 March 2023
  42. 42web"Khuphukani": SA proud of Sjava and Big Zulu's song reaching number 1 on SpotifySinazo Tshambuluka — 28 March 2023
  43. 43webBig Zulu & Sjava's 'Umbayimbayi' Hits Gold Status In SA
  44. 44webInkabi Zezwe's 'Umbayimbayi' Certified Platinum
  45. 45webBig Zulu X Sjava's 'Umbayimbayi' Goes Triple PlatinumClive Banda — 18 July 2023
  46. 46webBig Zulu and Sjava's album tops streaming platformsJohana Mukandila — 17 May 2023
  47. 47webBig Zulu Announces Release Date For Next Album “Ngises' Congweni”John Jabulani
  48. 48webBig Zulu announces new album drop date Bona MagazineSilindokuhle Booi
  49. 49webBig Zulu's new album to be released this month Network News
  50. 50newsBIG ZULU BACK WITH NEW ALBUMeNCA — 2024-04-13
  51. 51webBig Zulu and Emtee's New Hit “Abazazi Bafunani” Shines at the Top of Music ChartsPhehello Moloto — 2025-03-11
  52. 52webLocal & International Radio Chart Top 50 Week 24-2025
  53. 53webLocal Radio Chart Top 10 Week 12 - 2025
  54. 54webTop 20 Chart
  55. 55webBIG ZULU'S ROARS BACK WITH POWERFUL ALBUM ICALA LEMPUMELELO BLENDING GENRE-DEFYING SOUND AND CULTURAL PRIDE11 April 2025
  56. 56webTop rapper's daughter (15) to drop debut EP!Jabulani Langa — 15 September 2025
  57. 57webBig Zulu and daughter Nkabikazi join forces on emotional new album 'Undodakazi'Zuko Komisa
  58. 58webA new talent search show to air on SABC 118 June 2024
  59. 59webBig Zulu's Inkabi Records, Here Is What We Know » Ubetoo8 July 2020
  60. 60webTheRadar: Have You Met Inkabi Records Latest Signee, Mduduzi Ncube?25 January 2021
  61. 61webBig Zulu Donates Laptops and Printers to Local School: "I Do It Out of LoveSibusisiwe Lwandle
  62. 62webBig Zulu partners with SpitzZama Nteyi — 1 August 2020
  63. 63webBig Zulu partners with Carvella as brand ambassadorThobile Mazibuko
  64. 64webALBUM: Big Zulu Ichwane Lenyoka2 September 2021
  65. 65webBIG ZULU HITS MAJOR MILESTONE!Quincy Mahlangu — DailySUN — 2021-03-26
  66. 66webNkabi Nation's Journey to Multi-Platinum Glory Highlighted At ZOR Awards2026-02-17
  67. 67webFrom Maskandi to Mainstream: Big Zulu's Takeover2025-03-20
  68. 68webTOP CHARTS THIS WEEK : Local Streaming
  69. 69newsFull list: South African Hip-Hop Awards winners21 November 2019
  70. 70webThe SA Hip-Hop Awards 2019 Nominees Are Revealed
  71. 71web2020 Best Hip Hop Album Nominee : Big Zulu – Ungqongqoshe Wongqongqoshe
  72. 72webHere's a List of the 2020 South African Music Awards (SAMAs) Winners
  73. 73webSA Hip Hop Awards 2020: All the winners Music In AfricaButchie Seroto
  74. 74webSouth African Music Awards 2021: All the nominees Music In AfricaAno Shumba — 19 May 2021
  75. 75newsHere's the full list of the SAMA winners DrumQhama Dayile — 31 July 2021
  76. 76webSA Hip Hop Awards 2021: All the nominees Music In AfricaAno Shumba — Music In Africa
  77. 77webSA Hip Hop Awards 2021: All The WinnersEbenezer Donkoh — nydjlive.com — December 10, 2021
  78. 78newsThe DStv Mzansi Viewers' Choice Awards are back DrumSiya Tsewu — Drum — 2022-04-13