Based: Johannesburg
Nathi, an Eastern Cape born artist who grew up in Maclear, near the Mooi River, is no exception to the unshaken posture of the fatherless epidemic. His father left the Eastern Cape for Johannesburg in search of a better life for him and his family, but his endeavor for greener pastures would be no journey back home.
Surrounded by poverty and the seeming lack of opportunities in one of South Africa’s most poverty stricken provinces, Nathi’s mother had to make do aggressively selling a line of goods to aid in raising Nathi and his five siblings. In spite of the poverty and gloom surrounding Nathi, he found solace in the arts. The growing realization that with his background, he would face difficulties in changing his unfavorable life led him to seek singing and song writing, sculpting and the fine arts as refuge from a much more difficult world.
Came the year 2013 which saw Nathi use his innate talent of singing to enter the Dare TO Dream competition sponsored by the Elundi Municipality (local municipality) in which he emerged triumphant in first position. That would be start to great things for Nathi.
In the December of 2014, Vusi Nova made Nathi’s acquaintance through their music manager, and taken by the quality and sheer talent apparent in both the artist’s music, collaboration was put forward. “We realized that we have a lot of common interests. So we just gradually started working on music together. Nathi sings with such profound sincerity that it’s just so hard no to want to work with him. He’s authentic.”,- Vusi Nova explains about the significant collaboration with Nathi.
It was with their creative magic that “Nomakanjani” was conceived; a rendition of the late Brenda Fassie’s hit song, and within the first week of its release, the track had achieved a huge success reaching the Top 10 of various South African radio station charts.
Nathi has since then been way ahead of the rest to top the charts. His album, “Buyelekhaya”, is captivating and moving debut that ushers the arrival of a gifted and significant new talent, one whose music feels familiar in the best way while striking out in its own domain.
The album was released through to iTunes in the March of 2015 and currently has 10 songs (entire album) on the World Charts, all within the top 30, with the first single “Nomvula” sitting on number 1. The album is also South Africa’s fastest selling record (Musica’s #1 Best Seller). The single “Nomvula” has achieved the feat of being a cross over his having been play-listed and entering radio charts of Highveld Stereo’s Coke Top 40, GoodHope FM’s Top 30 and Algoa FM’s Top 30.
Apart from that, the song has been on high rotation in Nigeria, Ghana and Botswana, and on the Metro FM Top 30 Experience charts at #1 for 10 weeks and counting, and on Ukhozi FM, Umhlobo Wenene, Rise, Tru FM amongst a plethora.
“Buyelekhaya” has managed to secure gold, platinum status and then double platinum within the span of 6 weeks which is quite impressive considering that the first single “Nomvula” is still making the rounds with Nathi’s ever-growing rabid fan base which includes the likes of Bonang Matheba of The Front Row on Metro FM declare her public approval of the song.
In his philanthropic efforts, Nathi has teamed up with various other artists of his stable, Ghetto Ruff/ Muthaland Entertainment for the Stand4 South Africa Campaign, which is a school, and community development project that seeks to raise social consciousness among the youth.
