Babes Wodumo
Bongekile Simelane (born March 25, 1994), better known as Babes Wodumo is a South African gqom artist and choreographer.[1] She rose to fame following the release of her breakthrough song "Wololo", in 2016. The song later appeared on her debut studio album, Gqom Queen, released in late 2016.[2] She appeared on Black Panther: The Album on a song called "Redemption".[2] In 2017, Wodumo was nominated for the BET Award for Best International Act: Africa.[3] In July 2020, she released her second album Idando Kazi.[4]
Babes Wodumo | |
|---|---|
| Born | Bongekile Simelane March 25, 1994 |
| Other names | Gqom Queen |
| Occupation |
|
| Years active | 2016–present |
| Partner(s) | Mandla "Mampintsha" Maphumulo |
| Parent(s) |
|
Life and career
1994-2013: Early childhood
Bongekile Simelane was born on March 25, 1994, Lamontville, Chatsworth.
2014-2020: Career beginnings
She released her first song titled "Desha" produced by Sir Bubzin, In 2014.
2017: Black Panther
Her album created her the opportunity to feature on the “Black Panther album” by Kendrick Lamar.
Personal life
Domestic violence case
On 3 March 2019, reports surfaced that Wodumo's boyfriend and manager Mandla "Mampintsha" Maphumulo had physically assaulted her. Wodumo broadcast the incident on Instagram Live. Mampintsha was arrested on suspicion of assault.[5] Even though the relationship between the two had appeared to be over, both parties agreed to counselling and reconciled and are on good terms, with Mampintsha appearing on her second album Idando Kazi.[4]
SAMAs
In 2017, Wodumo was the most nominated artist at the 23rd South African Music Awards, however she did not win any award and this led to an altercation after the singer accused the personnel from the SAMA 23 of buying awards.
Discography
Studio albums
In 2016, Babes released her breakthrough album where she featured Mampintsha in all the songs on the project. The album also features Nigerian superstar D'banj, Madanon, Cassper Nyovest, DJ Sox, Sparks Wabantwana, Scoop, Kholwane, Khuzani, Danger & DJ Tira
In July 2020, she released her second project, titled Indando Kazi, where she featured mostly Mampintsha on 10 out of the 13 tracks. Other artists include RockBoy, Cultivated Soulz & Sizwe Mdlalose, Rhythm Soundz, Dladla Mshunqisi, and Tipcee, among others.
| Title | Album details |
|---|---|
| Gqom Queen Vol.1[6] |
|
| Indando Kazi[4] |
|
Singles
| Artist | Featuring | Title |
|---|---|---|
| Babes Wodumo | featuring Mampintsha and Sklliz | eLamont |
| Babes Wodumo | featuring Mampintsha, TNS and Skillz | Abadala |
| Babes Wodumo | featuring Rhythm Soundz, Dladla Mshunqisi and Tipcee | Angeke |
| Babes Wodumo | featuring Mampintsha and Worst Behavior | Corona |
| Babes Wodumo | featuring Mampintsha and Drega | Dankie Jack |
| Babes Wodumo | featuring Mampintsha, Madanon and Drega | Intombi Yesgebengu |
| Babes Wodumo | featuring Mampintsha, RockBoy, Cultivated Soulz and Sizwe Mdlalose | Izitha |
| Babes Wodumo | feat. Native Life, Madanon and Mampintsha | Levels |
| Babes Wodumo | featuring Drega and Sizwe Mdlalos | MaTen Ten |
| Babes Wodumo | featuring RockBoy, Madanon and Benzy | Umzimba |
| Babes Wodumo | featuring RockBoy, Madanon and Benzy | Umzimba |
| Babes Wodumo | featuring RockBoy, Madanon and Benzy | Umzimba |
| Babes Wodumo | featuring Newlandz Finest | Ungangyeki |
Awards and nominations
| Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 16th Metro FM Music Awards | Gqom Queen Vol.1 | Best Dance Album | Nominated |
| Gqom Queen Vol.1 | Best Female Album | Nominated | |
| Wololo (feat. Mampintsha & Distruction Boyz | Song Of The Year) | Nominated | |
| 23rd South African Music Awards | Herself | Newcomer Of The Year | Nominated |
| Female Artist Of The Year | Herself | Nominated | |
| Wololo (feat. Mampintsha & Distruction Boyz) | Record Of The Year | Nominated | |
| Gqom Queen Vol.1 | Album of the Year | Nominated | |
| Female Artist Of The Year | Herself | Nominated | |
| MTV Africa Music Awards 2016 | Song Of The Year | Wololo (feat. Mampintsha and Distruction Boyz) | Nominated |
| BET Awards 2017 | Herself | Best International Act: Africa | Nominated |
| Dance Music Awards 2017 | Gqom Queen Vol.1 | Best Dance Female Artist | Won |
| 2017MTV EMA | Herself | Best African Act | Nominated |
| All African Music Awards 2018 | Herself | Best Female Artiste in Southern Africa | Nominated |
| South African Gqom Awards 2019 | Ka Dazz | Song Of The Year | Nominated |
| Herself | Best Female | Won | |
| Ka Dazz | Best Music Video | Nominated | |
| Ka Dazz | Best Music Video Director | Nominated |
References
- Orkant-Wena Wodumo Entertainment-celebrities/1251888/8-things-to-know-about-babes-wodumo/ 8 things to know about Babes Wodumo Tshepiso Makhele
- Babes Wodumo on Her Appearance for 'Black Panther: The Album': 'I'm So Happy. It's Such a Privilege' billboard.com Sowmya Krishnamurthy, 2/20/2018
- 2017 BET Awards Billboard
- "Babes drops new album, fans unimpressed with Mampintsha feature". IOL South Africa. 24 July 2020. Retrieved 24 July 2020.
- Mampintsha arrested for alleged assault of Babes Wodumo on iol.co.za
- "Gqom Queen, Vol. 1 Album by Babes Wodumo | MyMuze". My Muze. Retrieved 2020-07-25.
