Nathi

Nkosinathi Mankayi (born 23 December 1982), professionally known as Nathi, is a South African singer-songwriter and artist.[1] He shot to limelight upon the release of his critically acclaimed song titled "Nomvula" off his triple-platinum debut studio album Buyelekhaya.[2] He later released his second album titled Umbulelo Wam on 28 October 2016. He is presently signed under Ghetto Ruff/Muthaland Entertainment, a South African independent record label.[3][4]

Nathi
Birth name	Nkosinathi Mankayi
Born	23 December 1982 Mthatha,Eastern Cape, South Africa
Genres	Afropop, afrosoul
Occupation(s)	Singer-songwriter
Instruments	Vocals
Years active	2008–present
Labels	Ghetto Ruff/Muthaland Gallo Record Company
Associated acts	[Vusi Nova]

Early life

Nkosinathi Mankayi was born among five siblings to a single mother in Mthatha, a small town in Eastern Cape, South Africa.[5] He grew up in Maclear, Eastern Cape, South Africa where he had his education and developed an interest in music and drawing.[6] In 2006, Nathi was sentenced to 8 years in prison for a 2002 robbery-related crime. He was however released after serving 4 years.[7][8]

Career

2008–2014: Early beginnings

With the aim of pursuing a career in music, Nathi competed and won a local music competition known as "Dare to Dream". He had his share of luck in November 2014 after Vusi Nova heard him sing and insisted on featuring him on a song titled "Noma Kanjani", a song that was widely received and went on to receive massive airplay around South Africa. He has one child born in 2017 and a sister who is also a singer.[5][9]

2015–present: Buyelekhaya and Umbulelo Wam

Nathi started recording his debut studio album titled Buyelekhaya in late 2014, releasing "Nomvula" as its lead single in 2015. Upon the release of the song, it became an instant hit, winning the "Best Selling Full-Track Download" at the 22nd South African Music Awards.[8][10] On 10 March 2015, through Muthaland Entertainment, Nathi released Buyelekhaya to critical and commercial acceptance by going platinum within six weeks of its release, selling over 128,000 units.[2] At the 22nd South African Music Awards, Nathi won five awards with Buyelekhaya winning the "Best-Selling Album of the Year" and "Best R&B / Soul / Reggae Album" categories.[10]

On 28 October 2016, he released a 12-track sophomore album titled Umbulelo Wam. The album charted on #2 on iTunes and sold over 35,000 units.[11]

Discography

Studio albums

List of studio albums, with selected chart positions

Title	Album details	Peak chart positions						Certifications	Sales
		NGR	RSA	GHA	SWE	UK	US
Buyelekhaya	Released: 10 March 2015 Label: Muthaland Entertainment Format: CD, digital download	–	–	–	–	–	—	45x Platinum[12]	8,000,000
Umbulelo Wam	Released: 28 October 2016 Label: Muthaland Entertainment Format: CD, digital download	–	–	–	–	–	—		35,000
Iphupha Labantu
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.

Awards and nominations

Year	Award ceremony	Prize	Work/Recipient	Result	Ref
2016	15th Metro FM Music Awards	Best African Pop Album	Buyelekhaya	Won	[13]
		Best Male Album		Nominated	[14]
		Best New Artist	Himself	Nominated	[14]
		Best R&B Single	"Nomvula"	Nominated	[15]
		Song of the Year		Won	[13]
	22nd South African Music Awards	Album of the Year	Buyelekhaya	Nominated	[15]
		Male Artist of the Year	Himself	Won	[16]
		Newcomer of the Year		Won	[16]
		Best R&B/Soul/Reggae Album	Buyelekhaya	Won	[17]
		Best Selling Album		Won	[17]
		Best Selling Full-Track Download	"Nomvula"	Won	[17]

References

1. Sanasie, Jennifer (23 December 2015). "My life changed this year – Nathi on prison, the arts & 2016". News24. Retrieved 7 June 2016.
2. Baba, Buchule (21 October 2015). "Nathi Mankayi: From prison to stardom". Sunday World. Retrieved 7 June 2016.
3. Molefe, Doreen (17 March 2015). "NKOSINATHI'S HITTING THE RIGHT NOTE". Daily Sun (South Africa). Retrieved 7 June 2016.
4. Mofokeng, Lesley (25 July 2015). "Nathi fever grips Mzansi". Sowetan. Retrieved 8 June 2016.
5. "Nathi – Buyelekhaya". Muthaland Entertainment. Retrieved 7 June 2016.
6. Vomo, Munya (18 March 2015). "Nathi: a breath of fresh acoustic air". IOL. Retrieved 7 June 2016.
7. Makhubo, Phumla (1 September 2015). "THE MAN OF THE MOMENT!". Daily Sun (South Africa). Retrieved 7 June 2016.
8. Ngumama, Noba (24 July 2015). "Catching up with "Nomvula" hit-maker Nathi". DRUM Magazine. Retrieved 7 June 2016.
9. "10 Facts You Didn't Know About Nathi Mankayi". My TV News. 25 October 2015. Retrieved 7 June 2016.
10. Mbonambi, Buhle (5 June 2016). "Nathi, Black Coffee win big at Samas". IOL News. Retrieved 7 June 2016.
11. Dayile, Qhama (28 October 2016). "Nathi Mankayi releases new album". DRUM. Retrieved 25 November 2016.
12. "5 Facts About Nathi Mankayi". Urban Culxure. 24 April 2016. Retrieved 7 June 2016.
13. Nandipha Pantsi (27 February 2016). "Emtee, Fifi Cooper and Nathi win big at Metro FM Awards". The Citizen (South Africa). Retrieved 7 June 2016.
14. "Metro FM Awards 2016 Winners [List]". MyTV News. 27 February 2016. Retrieved 7 June 2016.
15. "15th Metro FM Music Awards nominees (Full list)". Sunday World. 15 January 2016. Archived from the original on 26 May 2016. Retrieved 7 June 2016.
16. "Nathi and Black Coffee dominate at SAMA 2016". Sowetan Live. 5 June 2016. Archived from the original on 6 June 2016. Retrieved 7 June 2016.
17. Malatji, Ngwako (5 June 2016). "Nathi wins 5 Samas, Black Coffee wins 4". Sunday World. Retrieved 7 June 2016.