Mr Thela

Mr Thela
Birth nameSimphiwe Sihawu
BornGugulethu, Western Cape, South Africa
Genres
Instrument(s)keyboard, synthesizer
Years active2016–present
LabelsUniversal Music Group
Formerly ofMshayi & Mr Thela
Websitemrthela.africa/about-me/

Simphiwe Sihawu (born 2000[1]) better known as Mr Thela, is a South African DJ and music producer. Born in Gugulethu and raised in Samora Machel, Philippi, his professional musical career began in 2016 at the age of 16.[1] Aside from his solo career, Sihawu was a member of Mshayi & Mr Thela duo.[2]

Their debut studio album Make Cape Town Great Again (2020), became their best-selling album, certified Platinum by the Recording Industry of South Africa (RiSA).[3]

His second studio album Tronics Land Series 2, was released on 17 November 2023.[4] The album debuted No. 3 on Apple Music and No. 5 on Spotify South Africa Charts respectively.[5][6]

In February 2024, Mr Thela signed a recording deal with Universal Music Group.[7]

Artistry

Mr Thela's musical styles encompass gqom, sgubhu and a genre of his own creation alongside Mshayi ,gospel gqom (Cape Town gqom).[8]

Discography

Mshayi & Mr Thela

  • Make Cape Town Great Again (2020)
  • Make Cape Town Great Again 2.0 (2023)

Solo albums

  • Tronics Land Series 1 (2022)
  • Tronics Land Series 2 (2023)
  • Tronics Land Series 3 (2024)

Achievements

Metro FM Music Awards

Year Nominee / work Award Result Ref.
2024 "Hello" Best Kwaito/Gqom Won [9][10]

South African Music Awards

Year Nominee / work Award Result Ref.
2021 Make Cape Town Great Again Best Gqom Album Nominated
2024 Tronics Land Series 2 Nominated [11]

References

  1. ^ a b Cebo, Khanyisa (2023-07-14). "Cape DJ and producer Mr Thela jetting off to the UK as his music travels across the globe". Independent Online. Archived from the original on 2023-10-31. Retrieved 2024-07-02.
  2. ^ "Interview: Mshayi & Mr Thela Are Reviving Cape Town's Gqom Scene With Their Unique Take on the Genre - Okayplayer". OkayAfrica. Archived from the original on 2023-12-09. Retrieved 2024-07-11.
  3. ^ "MAKE CAPE TOWN GREAT AGAIN by MSHAYI & MR THELA sales and awards". Best Selling Albums. Archived from the original on 2024-07-02. Retrieved 2024-07-02.
  4. ^ Phiri, Janice (26 November 2023). "Mr Thela returns home and releases an album, Tronics Land Series 2". South Africa: City Press. Retrieved 2024-07-02.
  5. ^ "Mr Thela's Tronics Land Series 2 receives over 4 million streams across digital platforms in less than a month and without a music video". Trace TV. 2023-12-13. Retrieved 2024-07-02.
  6. ^ "Mr Thela's Tronics Land Series 2 receives over 4m streams across digital platforms". Biz Community. 2023-12-13. Retrieved 2024-07-02.
  7. ^ "Cape Town DJ Mr Thela's moving up as he inks a deal with Universal Music Group". Independent Online. 2024-02-14. Retrieved 2024-07-02.
  8. ^ "These are the most exciting gqom producers right now". DJ Mag. 2023-03-27. Retrieved 2024-07-16.
  9. ^ "Mr Thela goes Gold, scoops Metro FM Award and secures partnership with SKYY Vodka". Independent Online. 2024-03-22. Retrieved 2024-07-02.
  10. ^ Dean, Marsha (2024-04-29). "Unbeatable: Kaapse Mr Thela wins maiden gong at Metro FM Music Awards for Best Kwaito/Gqom song". Daily Voice.
  11. ^ "Sensational Tyla leads the pack with five SAMA30 nominations". Sunday World. 26 September 2024. Retrieved 26 September 2024.