He shot to limelight upon the release of his critically acclaimed song titled "Nomvula" off his triple-platinum debut studio album Buyelekhaya.[2] He later released his second album titled Umbulelo Wam on 28 October 2016. He is presently signed under Gallo Record Company.[3][4]
Nkosinathi Mankayi was born among five siblings to a single mother in Mthatha, a small town in Eastern Cape, South Africa.[5] He grew up in Maclear, Eastern Cape, South Africa where he was educated and developed an interest in music and drawing.[6] In 2006, Nathi was sentenced to 8 years in prison for a 2002 robbery-related crime. He was however released after serving 4 years.[7][8]
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 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.[8][10] 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.[2] 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.[10]
He signed a record deal with Gallo Record Company and release his third studio album Iphupha Labantu on July 27, 2018.[12][13]The album won award for Best African Adult Contemporary Album at 25th South African Music Awards.[14]
We have seen leaders share it as zipper/pocket song (i.e. Go with us, Lord, and give us your love/joy/peace) or deepen its communal spirit by crafting new verses (i.e. Come walk with us and share in our bread/...and join in the song). It makes a powerful sending song.
Teaching note from Paul Vasile: When you lead Hamba nathi, make sure that you keep a steady beat so the group feels the syncopated rhythm of the tune. I teach the tune first and once that's set offer the bass line. If folks don't intuitively add harmony (almost every group I've taught this to has), outline parts.
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