Kelly Khumalo

Life and career

Kelly Khumalo was born in Katlehong and moved to KwaZulu-Natal. She relocated to Gauteng in 1997.

''T.K.O'' (2005), ''Itshitshi'' (2006)

Kelly's début solo album T.K.O was released on 19 August 2005, in South Africa, and earned her two nominations, Song of the Year and Best Afro Pop Album at the 2006 South African Music Awards.

On 27 September 2006, her second studio album Itshitshi was released.

''The Past, The Present, The Future'' (2012), ''Back to My Roots'' (2014), ''My Truth'' (2016), ''Unleashed'' (2018)

On 5 November 2012, The Past, The Present, The Future album was released in South Africa. At the 19th SAMA awards (2013) her album The Past, The Present, The Future was nominated for Best Maskandi Album, Album of the Year, Best African Adult Album and won the Best Female Artist of the Year award.{{cite web|title=Sama cheat sheet: All the big winners|last=Staff Reporter|access-date=13 May 2013

In October 2014, the single "Asine" was released and nominated for Song of The Year at Metro FM Awards (2015), and her album, Back to my Roots for Best African Pop Album and nominated for Best African Adult Album at South African Music Awards XXXI (2015).

Kelly began recording her seventh studio album in March 2016. On 28 October 2016, her seventh studio album My Truth was released. My Truth won Best Female Album at 2017 Metro FM Awards.

In January 2018, Kelly began to work on her eighth studio album, and released its lead single "Jehovah" on 9 July 2018, featuring J F.L.O.

On 9 October, she announced second single "Dance Comigo" on her Instagram, which was released on 12 October 2018.

On 5 November 2018, her album Unleashed was released in South Africa. The album was produced by Mondli Ngcobo.

2020–present: ''The Voice of Africa'', Gospel Explosion Concert, ''From a God to a King''

On 28 August, her single "Empini" was released as the album's lead single. The song was certified gold by the Recording Industry of South Africa with sales of 80 000 units and garnered 12 million views on YouTube. Her ninth studio album The Voice of Africa was released on 9 October 2020. Production was handled by Mondli Ngcobo. The Voice of Africa was certified gold with sales of 25 000 units in South Africa. At the 6th ceremony of All Africa Music Awards, her single "Empini" received nomination for Best Female Artist in South Africa.

"Esiphambaweni" featuring South African singer Hlengiwe Mhlaba, peaked number one in the gospel charts. At the 27th South African Music Awards, The Voice of Africa received a nomination as Best Afro-pop Album.

In November 2021, she recorded The Voice of Africa live version.

In April 2022, Khumalo performed at her first annual Gospel Explosion Concert, which included two dates, 15-16 April held at the Lyric Theatre in Johannesburg.

On 28 April, following the success of two dates, she added one more date that was held at Vaal on 28 May.

In late August 2022, Kelly announced the From a God to a King tour, scheduled to start off on Saturday 17 September at Carnival City, Boksburg.

Khumalo also announced her 10th album, From a God to a King. "Bazokhuluma" featuring Zakwe and Mthunzi was released on 4 November 2022, as the album's lead single. The album was released on 14 February 2023.

Television

In 2021, she started her reality show Life with Kelly Khumalo airs on Showmax. In September 2021, she appeared on House of Zwide, television soapie airs on eTV.

In September 2021, Khumalo was announced as Judge on Stand Up S.A.

Towards the end of 2021, she was a guest judge on Idols South Africa season 17.{{cite web|first=John |last=Israel A|date=2021-11-01|title=Kelly Khumalo Pops As Guest Judge On Idols South Africa | website=Ubetoo| access-date=2022-05-21 |url= https://www.ubetoo.com/news/kelly-khumalo-pops-as-guest-judge-on-idols-sa/}}

In early April 2022, she was announced as a competitor on Tropika Island of Treasure, season 10.

Controversies

On 26 October 2014, her boyfriend Senzo Meyiwa, former captain of the South Africa national football team and club side Orlando Pirates, with whom she has a child, was shot dead in her presence at her family's home in Vosloorus. It is alleged that the killer is known to Khumalo and everyone present at the shooting, but she has remained silent on whom the killer is.

In October 2020, five men were charged with murdering Meyiwa. The suspects denied that they were involved in the killing. It was also found that Kelly was communicating with one of the suspects through cellphone before and after the death of Senzo Meyiwa.

In January 2025, news broadcaster eNCA reported Khumalo's death erroneously, after mixing up the artist with singer Winnie Khumalo, who had recently passed away. Khumalo criticized the broadcaster on social media after the error.

Personal life

Speaking out about having been in an abusive relationship, in 2012 Khumalo became an advocate against domestic violence. She confessed to being a drug addict for at least two years during her relationship with the singer Molemo Maarohanye; she attended Narcotics Anonymous meetings.

Discography

Studio albums

Singles

Filmography

• Zulu Wedding (2017)
• uSkroef No Sexy: In Kgantse And Kenny's Paradise
• Life with Kelly Khumalo (2021)
• Stand Up South Africa as Judge
• Idols South Africa as Guest Judge
• Rhythm City as Sunay

Awards and nominations

References

"Gospel Song Release - Esphambanweni featuring Dr Hlengiwe Mhlaba", AmenRadio, 12 Sept 2020.

References

1. (27 June 2019). "Hot facts about Kelly Khumalo that you may not know".
2. (28 May 2014). "Kelly Khumalo".
3. "Get to know: Kelly Khumalo".
4. [http://www.etv.co.za/news/2013/05/14/kelly-khumalo-shines-sama-19 "Kelly Khumalo shines at the SAMA 19"] {{Webarchive. link. (27 October 2014 , e-Buzz, 14 May 2013.)
5. [http://www.publicnewshub.com/kelly-khumalo-scores-senzo-meyiwas-heart/ "Kelly Khumalo Scores Senzo Meyiwa’s Heart?"] ''The Public News Hub'', 7 July 2013.
6. (14 October 2020). "Kelly Khumalo Releases New Album".
7. (5 December 2014). "Kelly Khumalo – Conference Entertainer". Speakers Inc.
8. "The Past, The Present, The Future by Kelly Khumalo on Jaxsta - Overview".
9. "The Past, The Present, The Future Album by". MyMuze.
10. wwcadmin. (May 13, 2013). "The SAMA 2013 Winners". GQ.
11. Paula Luckhoff. "No-one is responsible for your happiness but you - Kelly Khumalo". 702.
12. (18 February 2015). "Kelly Khumalo goes international". CityPress.
13. Sikhumbuzo Thabede. (24 March 2015). "My Journey - #Kelly Khumalo". Biz Community.
14. (2017-02-13). "KK comes clean with My Truth". Independent Online.
15. (2017-02-27). "Metro FM Awards fire up musicians, politicians".
16. (2018-10-12). "Kelly Khumalo's new single titled 'Dance Comigo' releases in three days' time". JustNje.
17. Mkhabela, Sabelo. "Listen to Kelly Khumalo's New Album 'Unleashed' Featuring Vusi Nova and Kyle Deutsch". OkayAfrica.
18. Darangwa, Shingai. (2022-05-21). "WATCH: Kelly Khumalo awarded several gold and platinum plaques". Independent Online.
19. Bukola. (August 4, 2021). "Kelly Khumalo's 'Empini' hits 9million views". Fakaza News.
20. Zwane, Nokuthula. (2022-05-20). "Kelly Khumalo celebrates her album going gold". Channel.
21. Hansen, Gabriel Myers. (23 September 2021). "All Africa Music Awards 2021: All the nominees". Music In Africa.
22. (28 October 2020). "Kelly Khumalo enjoys number one song success".
23. "Kelly Khumalo's 'Esphambanweni' hits the number 1 spot on 3 charts".
24. Lwandle, Sibusisiwe. (5 November 2020). "Kelly Khumalo: Singer's Empini track stays on top of charts".
25. (17 November 2021). "Kelly Khumalo stuns with live version of 'The Voice of Africa' album [watch]". The South African.
26. Shumba, Ano. (2022-03-16). "SA: Kelly Khumalo to host Gospel Explosion concert". Music In Africa.
27. Naidoo, Sonri. (2022-03-15). "Kelly Khumalo talks about hosting 'Gospel Explosion'". Independent Online.
28. Maliba, Amanda. (2022-04-18). "Khumalo extends run of Gospel Explosion concert to the Vaal". SowetanLIVE.
29. Darangwa, Shingai. (2022-08-24). "Kelly Khumalo set to embark on her ''From a God to a King'' tour – IOL". Independent Online.
30. de Wee, Naledi. (2022-08-22). "'From A God To A King': Kelly Khumalo set to kick off music tour". The South African.
31. (2022-11-04). "Kelly Khumalo Releases Bazokhuluma ft Zakwe & Mthunzi!". Trace.
32. Bukola. (29 July 2021). "Kelly Khumalo to air last episode of her show, 'Life With Kelly Khumalo'". Fakaza News.
33. Lwandle, Sibusisiwe. (28 September 2021). "Kelly Khumalo Jumps Back Into Acting, Bags Role on 'House of Zwide". Briefly.
34. Tsewu, Siya. (2021-09-03). "New family singing competition coming to SABC 2". Drum.
35. Nyhaba, Theo. (2021-08-22). "Kelly Khumalo tipped to replace Somizi as 'Idols SA' judge". Sunday World.
36. Maliba, Amanda. (2022-04-01). "Kelly Khumalo back with Tropika Island of Treasure". SowetanLIVE.
37. Bongani Hans and Kutlwano Olifant [http://www.iol.co.za/news/crime-courts/he-died-in-my-arms-kelly-khumalo-1.1772603], ''He died in my arms – Kelly Khumalo'', IOL news, 30 October 2014. Retrieved 31 October 2014.
38. Citizen Reporter and Sapa [http://citizen.co.za/266427/kelly-khumalo-welcome-meyiwas-funeral-2/] {{Webarchive. link. (31 October 2014, ''Kelly Khumalo now welcome at Meyiwa's funeral'', The Citizen, 30 October 2014. Retrieved 31 October 2014.)
39. "Arrests, drama 6 years after S. Africa soccer star's killing".
40. (2024-11-09). "Justice for Meyiwa {{!}} Kelly Khumalo was 'sixth suspect'".
41. Mzandisi, compiled by Iviwe. "Kelly Khumalo slams eNCA for 'disrespectful' error as host mistakenly reports her death".
42. "Kelly Khumalo slams broadcaster for reporting she is dead".
43. [http://www.sowetanlive.co.za/helpline/2012/11/21/toxic-is-an-understatement-says-kelly-khumalo "Toxic is an understatement, says Kelly Khumalo"], ''The Sowetan'', 2 November 2012.
44. City Press. [http://www.citypress.co.za/entertainment/i-was-an-addict-kelly-khumalo-20120208/] {{Webarchive. link. (7 July 2013, ''‘I was an addict’ – Kelly Khumalo'', 8 February 2012. Retrieved 31 October 2014.)
45. [https://afrobeat.co.za/download-album-zip/album-kelly-khumalo-the-voice-of-africa-tvoa/ "Kelly Khumalo The Voice Of Africa (TVOA) Album"], Afrobeat ZA, 10 October 2020.
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