The Voice of Africa (Kelly Khumalo album)

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

The Voice of Africa
Studio album by
Kelly Khumalo
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 album was certified gold in South Africa.

Background

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

Singles

"Empini" was released as album's lead single on June 19, 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 September 11, 2021, as the third single,[6] peaked number one on South Africa Gospel charts.[7]

Commercial performance

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

The album tracks "Empini" 4× platinum, "Esiphambanweni" 2× platinum, and "Ngathwala Ngaye" certified platinum.[9]

Track listing
Standard Edition
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

Accolades

The Voice of Africa was nominated for Best Afro Pop Album at the 27th South African Music Awards.[10]

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

Personnel

Credits for The Voice of Africa are adapted from AllMusic.[11]

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

The Voice of Africa (Live)
The Voice of Africa
Live album by
Kelly Khumalo
ReleasedNovember 12, 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 incorporated elements of maskandi and traditional folk music, and gospel.[13]

Track listing
Live Edition
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 and sales
Region CertificationCertified units/sales
South Africa (RISA)[14] Gold 10,000*

* Sales figures based on certification alone.

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