Nathi
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Nkosinathi Mankayi (born 23 December 1982), professionally known as Nathi, is a South African singer-songwriter.
He shot to limelight upon the release of his critically acclaimed song titled "Nomvula" off his triple-platinum debut studio album Buyelekhaya. He later released his second album titled Umbulelo Wam on 28 October 2016. He is presently signed under Gallo Record Company.The in 2025 he released his song titled"Bhunguza lam "with Lazola and others
Early life
Nkosinathi Mankayi was born among five siblings to a single mother in Mthatha, a small town in Eastern Cape, South Africa. He grew up in Maclear, Eastern Cape, South Africa where he was educated and developed an interest in music and drawing. In 2006, Nathi was sentenced to 8 years in prison for a 2002 robbery-related crime. He was however released after serving 4 years.
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 well received and went on to get massive airplay around South Africa.
Nathi has one child born in 2017 and a sister who is also a singer.
2015–2017: 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. 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. 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.
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.
2018-present: Iphupha Labantu , Usiba Lwe Gazi
He signed a record deal with Gallo Record Company and release his third studio album Iphupha Labantu on July 27, 2018. The album won award for Best African Adult Contemporary Album at 25th South African Music Awards.
His fourth studio album Usiba Lwe Gazi, was released on October 21, 2022. It won Best African Adult Contemporary Album at the 29th ceremony of South African Music Awards.
Discography
Studio albums
| Title | Album details | Peak chart positions | Certifications | Sales | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NGR | RSA | GHA | SWE | UK | US Released:15 June 2014 | ||||
| Buyelekhaya | Released: 10 March 2015 Label: Muthaland Entertainment Format: CD, digital download | – | — | — | — | — | — | 3× Platinum | 90,000 |
| Umbulelo Wam | Released: 28 October 2016 Label: Muthaland Entertainment Format: CD, digital download | — | — | — | — | — | — | 35,000 | |
| Iphupha Labantu | Released: 27 July 2018 Label: Gallo Record Company Format: CD, digital download | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| Usiba Lwe Gazi | Released: 14 October 2022 Label: Format: CD, digital download | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| "—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory. |
Singles
As lead artist
| Title | Year | Peak chart positions | Certifications | Album |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ZA | ||||
| "Qeqe (Emathandweni)" | 2018 | — | ||
| "Igazi" | 2021 | — | ||
| "Home Boiiz" (Elten BPE, Nathi) | 2024 | — | ||
| "—" 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 | |
| Best Male Album | Nominated | ||||
| Best New Artist | Himself | Nominated | |||
| Best R&B Single | "Nomvula" | Nominated | |||
| Song of the Year | Won | ||||
| 22nd South African Music Awards | Album of the Year | Buyelekhaya | Nominated | ||
| Male Artist of the Year | Himself | Won | |||
| Newcomer of the Year | Won | ||||
| Best R&B/Soul/Reggae Album | Buyelekhaya | Won | |||
| Best Selling Album | Won | ||||
| Best Selling Full-Track Download | "Nomvula" | Won | |||
| 2019 | Eastern Cape Music Awards | Best EC National Recognised Artist | Himself | Nominated | |
| 2023 | South African Music Awards | Best African Adult Contemporary Album | Usiba Lwe Gazi | Won |