You’ll be most familiar with Samthing Soweto as he is the featured artist on Sun-E’s hit song ‘Akanamali’. But how much do you know about this acapella and soul musician’s life? Find out how Samthing Soweto rebuilt his life after being imprisoned.
You’ll be most familiar with Samthing Soweto as he was the featured artist on Sun-E’s hit song ‘Akanamali’. But how much do you know about this acapella and soul musician’s life?
Samkelo Lelethu Mdolomba, AKA Samthing Soweto, has been in the music industry for a very long time. The talented musician is famous for his unique music, but many are unaware of his musical journey.
Samthing Soweto was influenced to get into music at a young age. He was born on 21 January 1988 and raised in Soweto, a township of Johannesburg. He’s the third of four siblings, all raised by a single mother.
He moved to Eastern Cape when he was very young to live with his grandmother but faced many difficulties there and subsequently moved back.
Samthing Soweto | Image Source: Facebook
Samthing Soweto was dyslexic. As a result, he dropped out of school in the eighth grade. By the age of 15, the troubled youngster was involved in drugs and even got into trouble with the law.
He was eventually sent to a youth detention centre for armed robbery. This is where Samthing Soweto started to make music and it helped him break free from a life of crime and drug addiction.
At the youth detention centre in Krugersdorp, West Rand, he was encouraged to sing by his fellow inmates. He was also influenced by a style of prison chanting called Gumba Fire, which included singing Kwaito songs in acapella. This style became a major influence on him.
After being released from the youth detention centre, Samthing Soweto went back to school. There, he took an interest in the school choir, which was led by Buhlebendalo Mda, who later on was one of the vocalists of the acapella group, The Soil.
Image Source: Facebook
While attending the choir’s performance, Mdolomba started a group. He described it as: "A group that sings songs, songs that we can afford to sing. And I say afford because everything out there was programmed or played with instruments and we couldn't afford that, so I was like “let's use our voices".
After the group formed, they met Sipho Sithole, the head of Native Rhythms. They signed their first project and Samthing Soweto began learning how to produce music after which he released his debut solo studio album.
By then, Samthing Soweto had also started making music with another band, The Fridge, a Nu-Jazz group. Eventually, he left both groups due to contractual disputes and creative differences.
Samthing Soweto performing | Image Source: Facebook
Samthing Soweto released his second album ‘Isphitiphithi’ in 2019. A record number of people made the album pre-order, a record which American pop singer Billie Eilish previously held.
He then released four singles for the album, including ‘Akulaleki’ featuring BET Award winner Sha Sha. The song ‘Akulaleki’ peaked at number one on the local Apple Music chart.
Samthing Soweto appeared in Makhafula Vilakazi's 2013 South African poetry album titled ‘I Am Not Going Back To The Township’. He was credited as both a guest vocalist and a producer.
In August 2010, he independently released his debut studio album, ‘This ‘N’ That Without Tempo,’. Then in January 2014, Samthing Soweto released his debut EP ‘Eb'suku,’.
Image Source: Samthing Soweto Facebook
Within the same year, he had bigger commitments. He headlined the internationally acclaimed Joy of Jazz Festival 2014. He also performed at the Rocking The Daisies Festival held in Cape Town, Western Cape.
In addition, he composed and performed the title sequence of the drama series Rhythm City and appeared on the soundtrack of the drama film Otelo Burning.
In 2015, Samthing Soweto kept his momentum going. He appeared on the Coca-Cola-sponsored live-music television series Coke Studio Africa.
In 2017, Samthing got his breakthrough after he featured on producer Sun-E’s acclaimed song, "Akanamali". This song received South African Music Awards for Best Collaboration, SAMPRA highest airplay, and SAMRO highest airplay at the 24th South African Music Awards.
One of the artist’s biggest individual hits is ‘Akulaleki’. The track features Kabza de Small, Maphorisa, and Sha Sha. It was number one on Apple Music. At the same time, his debut album ‘Isphithiphithi’ peaked at number one.
That made him the first local musician to have a number one hit single and an album at the same time, on one of the biggest streaming services in the world.
Bawo, a collaboration between the Soweto Central Chorus, featuring Samthing Soweto, has garnered over 4 million YouTube hits.
Samthing Soweto’s hit songs
A playlist of Samthing Soweto’s greatest hits would look something like this:
'Happy Birthday, 'Nodoli' and 'Lotto'
Samthing Soweto Album, Danko | Image Source: Facebook
Samthing Soweto has a relatively new album titled ‘Danko!’ It’s a dance and electronica-themed album. It was released in 2020.
It features six songs and features De Mthuda, Njelic, MalumNator, Da Muziqal, Entity Musiq, Alie Keys, and the Mzansi Youth Choir.
His new album features the songs Chomi, Tilili, Ngisendleleni, Weekend, Hey Wena, and the Danko.
Image Source: Facebook
We don’t know whether Samthing Soweto has a girlfriend or not. But once, a fan of his on Twitter asked him out, and he responded by asking for her number.
Samthing Soweto has a daughter to whom he dedicated his song Nodoli. The word itself translates into ‘doll.’ He says, “My daughter is 80% of the reason I have a music career today. The birth of my daughter compelled me to be more professional and less emotional when it comes to working.”
The musician has been the talk of the town after his drastic weight loss triggered rumours that he is in ill health. He took to his Instagram account and refuted the claims that he is dying. He simply attributed this to a change of lifestyle but maintained that he is in perfect health.
Yes! He’s done well and continues to, on his own but Samthing Soweto still yearns to be part of the musical group, The Soil, that he formed while in high school.
He was very candid about having regrets after he walked out of the group due to contractual disputes, something that most celebrities don’t admit.
From The TimesLive, Samthing said: “I was young, I didn’t know better. I wanted to do everything at the same time and I admit I was wrong. I regret leaving The Soil but I’m happy they are doing well”.
Even the best musicians have their bad days. Except that fans never want to hear any of it. If you appear on stage, you better perform or withdraw from the show beforehand.
Samthing Soweto knows this all too well. In 2019, after his rather sub-par performance on Idols South Africa, Samthing Soweto found himself in a Twitter storm with his fans. The singer was forced to apologise for not providing fans with the level of entertainment they expected.
Samthing Soweto has not splashed his cars and house all over his social media pages. Nonetheless, with the money he has banked from his hits (around $500, 000 to $2 million), there’s no doubt he can get himself a nice ride and a roof over his head.
Samthing Soweto has produced some of the biggest hits in South Africa. With that, comes a hefty income, or at least it should. Estimates show that Samthing Soweto’s net worth is about $500,000 to $2 million.
He walked away with the Best Afro-pop Album at the SAMA 26 held in 2020.
Samthing Soweto’s song Akanamali received South African Music Awards for Best Collaboration, SAMPRA highest airplay, and SAMRO highest airplay at the 24th South African Music Award
Samthing Soweto's Instagram: @SamthingSoweto
Samthing Soweto's Facebook: Samthing Soweto
Samthing Soweto's YouTube Channel: Samthing Soweto
Samthing Soweto's Twitter: @SamthingSoweto
Samthing Soweto was born on 21 January 1988 and raised in Soweto, a township of Johannesburg. He’s the third of four siblings, all raised by a single mother.
Samthing Soweto has Xhosa roots but doesn’t know how to speak the language fluently. He says he’s trying to do something about it.
Samthing Soweto has a four-year-old daughter named Nodoli, which means doll.
We don’t know whether Samthing Soweto has a girlfriend or not. But once, a fan of his on Twitter asked him out, and he responded by asking for her number.
You’ll be most familiar with Samthing Soweto as he is the featured artist on Sun-E’s hit song ‘Akanamali’. But how much do you know about this acapella and soul musician’s life? Find out how Samthing Soweto rebuilt his life after being imprisoned.
You’ll be most familiar with Samthing Soweto as he was the featured artist on Sun-E’s hit song ‘Akanamali’. But how much do you know about this acapella and soul musician’s life?
Samkelo Lelethu Mdolomba, AKA Samthing Soweto, has been in the music industry for a very long time. The talented musician is famous for his unique music, but many are unaware of his musical journey.
Samthing Soweto was influenced to get into music at a young age. He was born on 21 January 1988 and raised in Soweto, a township of Johannesburg. He’s the third of four siblings, all raised by a single mother.
He moved to Eastern Cape when he was very young to live with his grandmother but faced many difficulties there and subsequently moved back.
Samthing Soweto | Image Source: Facebook
Samthing Soweto was dyslexic. As a result, he dropped out of school in the eighth grade. By the age of 15, the troubled youngster was involved in drugs and even got into trouble with the law.
He was eventually sent to a youth detention centre for armed robbery. This is where Samthing Soweto started to make music and it helped him break free from a life of crime and drug addiction.
At the youth detention centre in Krugersdorp, West Rand, he was encouraged to sing by his fellow inmates. He was also influenced by a style of prison chanting called Gumba Fire, which included singing Kwaito songs in acapella. This style became a major influence on him.
After being released from the youth detention centre, Samthing Soweto went back to school. There, he took an interest in the school choir, which was led by Buhlebendalo Mda, who later on was one of the vocalists of the acapella group, The Soil.
Image Source: Facebook
While attending the choir’s performance, Mdolomba started a group. He described it as: "A group that sings songs, songs that we can afford to sing. And I say afford because everything out there was programmed or played with instruments and we couldn't afford that, so I was like “let's use our voices".
After the group formed, they met Sipho Sithole, the head of Native Rhythms. They signed their first project and Samthing Soweto began learning how to produce music after which he released his debut solo studio album.
By then, Samthing Soweto had also started making music with another band, The Fridge, a Nu-Jazz group. Eventually, he left both groups due to contractual disputes and creative differences.
Samthing Soweto performing | Image Source: Facebook
Samthing Soweto released his second album ‘Isphitiphithi’ in 2019. A record number of people made the album pre-order, a record which American pop singer Billie Eilish previously held.
He then released four singles for the album, including ‘Akulaleki’ featuring BET Award winner Sha Sha. The song ‘Akulaleki’ peaked at number one on the local Apple Music chart.
Samthing Soweto appeared in Makhafula Vilakazi's 2013 South African poetry album titled ‘I Am Not Going Back To The Township’. He was credited as both a guest vocalist and a producer.
In August 2010, he independently released his debut studio album, ‘This ‘N’ That Without Tempo,’. Then in January 2014, Samthing Soweto released his debut EP ‘Eb'suku,’.
Image Source: Samthing Soweto Facebook
Within the same year, he had bigger commitments. He headlined the internationally acclaimed Joy of Jazz Festival 2014. He also performed at the Rocking The Daisies Festival held in Cape Town, Western Cape.
In addition, he composed and performed the title sequence of the drama series Rhythm City and appeared on the soundtrack of the drama film Otelo Burning.
In 2015, Samthing Soweto kept his momentum going. He appeared on the Coca-Cola-sponsored live-music television series Coke Studio Africa.
In 2017, Samthing got his breakthrough after he featured on producer Sun-E’s acclaimed song, "Akanamali". This song received South African Music Awards for Best Collaboration, SAMPRA highest airplay, and SAMRO highest airplay at the 24th South African Music Awards.
One of the artist’s biggest individual hits is ‘Akulaleki’. The track features Kabza de Small, Maphorisa, and Sha Sha. It was number one on Apple Music. At the same time, his debut album ‘Isphithiphithi’ peaked at number one.
That made him the first local musician to have a number one hit single and an album at the same time, on one of the biggest streaming services in the world.
Bawo, a collaboration between the Soweto Central Chorus, featuring Samthing Soweto, has garnered over 4 million YouTube hits.
Samthing Soweto’s hit songs
A playlist of Samthing Soweto’s greatest hits would look something like this:
'Happy Birthday, 'Nodoli' and 'Lotto'
Samthing Soweto Album, Danko | Image Source: Facebook
Samthing Soweto has a relatively new album titled ‘Danko!’ It’s a dance and electronica-themed album. It was released in 2020.
It features six songs and features De Mthuda, Njelic, MalumNator, Da Muziqal, Entity Musiq, Alie Keys, and the Mzansi Youth Choir.
His new album features the songs Chomi, Tilili, Ngisendleleni, Weekend, Hey Wena, and the Danko.
Image Source: Facebook
We don’t know whether Samthing Soweto has a girlfriend or not. But once, a fan of his on Twitter asked him out, and he responded by asking for her number.
Samthing Soweto has a daughter to whom he dedicated his song Nodoli. The word itself translates into ‘doll.’ He says, “My daughter is 80% of the reason I have a music career today. The birth of my daughter compelled me to be more professional and less emotional when it comes to working.”
The musician has been the talk of the town after his drastic weight loss triggered rumours that he is in ill health. He took to his Instagram account and refuted the claims that he is dying. He simply attributed this to a change of lifestyle but maintained that he is in perfect health.
Yes! He’s done well and continues to, on his own but Samthing Soweto still yearns to be part of the musical group, The Soil, that he formed while in high school.
He was very candid about having regrets after he walked out of the group due to contractual disputes, something that most celebrities don’t admit.
From The TimesLive, Samthing said: “I was young, I didn’t know better. I wanted to do everything at the same time and I admit I was wrong. I regret leaving The Soil but I’m happy they are doing well”.
Even the best musicians have their bad days. Except that fans never want to hear any of it. If you appear on stage, you better perform or withdraw from the show beforehand.
Samthing Soweto knows this all too well. In 2019, after his rather sub-par performance on Idols South Africa, Samthing Soweto found himself in a Twitter storm with his fans. The singer was forced to apologise for not providing fans with the level of entertainment they expected.
Samthing Soweto has not splashed his cars and house all over his social media pages. Nonetheless, with the money he has banked from his hits (around $500, 000 to $2 million), there’s no doubt he can get himself a nice ride and a roof over his head.
Samthing Soweto has produced some of the biggest hits in South Africa. With that, comes a hefty income, or at least it should. Estimates show that Samthing Soweto’s net worth is about $500,000 to $2 million.
He walked away with the Best Afro-pop Album at the SAMA 26 held in 2020.
Samthing Soweto’s song Akanamali received South African Music Awards for Best Collaboration, SAMPRA highest airplay, and SAMRO highest airplay at the 24th South African Music Award
Samthing Soweto's Instagram: @SamthingSoweto
Samthing Soweto's Facebook: Samthing Soweto
Samthing Soweto's YouTube Channel: Samthing Soweto
Samthing Soweto's Twitter: @SamthingSoweto
Samthing Soweto was born on 21 January 1988 and raised in Soweto, a township of Johannesburg. He’s the third of four siblings, all raised by a single mother.
Samthing Soweto has Xhosa roots but doesn’t know how to speak the language fluently. He says he’s trying to do something about it.
Samthing Soweto has a four-year-old daughter named Nodoli, which means doll.
We don’t know whether Samthing Soweto has a girlfriend or not. But once, a fan of his on Twitter asked him out, and he responded by asking for her number.
