Jabulani 'Sjava' Hadebe Biography: Baby Mama, Ambitiouz Records, Sjava and Lady Zamar, Early Life, Career, Awards and Nominations, Controversy, Cancelled - Updated, 27th May 2020
The musician who is adored by many and dismissed by others
Jabulani Hadebe aka Sjava, is a South African singer, rapper, actor and he was mentored by Nqedolwethu Mabuza.
Sjava started his career on a high note as an actor than turned highly acclaimed singer but he has since descended from his career-high after his ex-girlfriend, Lady Zamar alleged that he had raped her, he has since lost endorsements and show performances, disassociating themselves from the singer and their own reputations.
Although Sjava has had a great start to his career, some of the goals he set for himself are far from his reach and perhaps this rape allegation, if proven guilty could put a stop to his flourishing career.
Here's a look at Sjava's bio
Sjava Baby Mama
When it rains it pours for Sjava!!!
A woman called Mandisa Mtubu has come out to claim that she has a son with Sjava and he is refusing to pay papgeld for the son.
In an exclusive interview with Drum magazine, she revealed that their love fizzled up when she got pregnant and that she was even paid to keep quiet about the matter.
She claims Sjava and his team at Ambitiouz tried to bribe her. "They gave me R10 000 in cash and told me to keep quiet, he wants to keep my child a secret and I will not allow it".
Ever since Lady Zamar's rape accusations Sjava has been under the radar for a while. Well he is back and at the very top of his list of things to sort out is his alleged sour relationship with Ambitiouz Records.
According to the Sowetan the uMama hitmaker is "extremely unhappy" with Ambitiouz records and is looking for an out. He also needs Ambitouz to run him his Black Panther money.
However when the Sowetan talked to the label owner Kgosi Mahumapelo, he said Sjava is still very much under the label and will be for years to come because of the airtight contract he signed.
It seems that the record has not had better days with a number of artists and that's why it's been in the spotlight. Emtee is one of the artists that have had a run in with the record and Emtee decided to take them to court for witholding what is rightfully his.
In support of Emtee, Busiswa also came out and dragged them by saying their actions are childish and unnecessary.
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Well for now, it seems Sjava is not leaving the record label, but could there be any writings on the wall that artists need to be wary of?
Sjava Early Beginnings
Sjava began his career by listening to advice from Mabuza to become an actor first in 2005, starring in several drama series' and films including uGugu no Andile (2009).
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He then rose to prominence on the drama series, Zone 14 where he starred for three consecutive seasons. Sjava ventured into the music industry after Mabuza advised him to join a record label Ambitiouz Entertainment and was featured on Miss Pru's critically acclaimed song "Ameni" in 2015.
Sjava is one man who is very proud of his culture and tradition and he is not afraid to show it in his dressing.
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Because of the hard work that Sjava has done he has set a legacy that would take another artist decades to set. Here's a look into his life and his rise to stardom.
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He was born to Thandi Nkabinde, his mother and was mostly raised by his grandmother. Sjava has two older siblings, Sibusiso (his brother) and Sindy (his sister). Sjava's parents were not well off financially. His mother used to run a business of selling food at a taxi terminus. His father was not so much involved in bringing him up. In an interview, he stated that he did not let his situation hinder him from pursuing his goals. He frankly describes his childhood as 'tough'.
Sjava started writing music at an early age. While at the age of ten, Sjava was in charge of writing original lyrics on songs for his all-boy isicathamiya group Abafana baseMpumalanga, while in primary school. He then took composition of music a step further in high school, where he used to turn notes into songs, then teach them to his classmates.
Sjava Career
Growing up, Sjava had a liking for arts; music and acting. He was also a committed soccer player. Sadly his soccer career didn't go so well for him and he then decided to devote all his time and energy in the arts industry with music taking precedence.
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His debut on television was when he landed a role on Zone 14 and this opened more doors for him for other shows such as Rhythm City and The Bantu Hour. in 2016, he decided to quit acting and that is when he signed a contract to work with Ambitiouz Entertainment.
That same year he released his debut album, Isina Muva. The performance of the album was exemplary, and within the first day of its release, it had secured the first position on iTunes. He did a deluxe version of the album which was the best part of it because it reached the gold status. The latter then won himself the Viewers’ Choice Best International Act for the BET International Awards.
The Collide hitmaker was tired of all the questions surrounding her relationship with Sjava and she decided it was time to let people know of what he had put her through. Lady Zamar did not spare a single detail, she said everything she wanted to say.
Last year also had Black Twitter going in on Sjava and Sjava on how the two were an item. Although Sho Madjozi had put those rumours to bed earlier in the year when a picture of the two made the rounds on social media, that wasn't enough. Sjava sent a heritage message to Madjozi and that sparked the rumour mill again. Sho Madjozi's response just added more fuel to the fire.
Last year Sjava stirred the Twitter pot again when he admitted to using muthi and he said there was nothing to be ashamed of a black man. This had tweeps divided on the matter.
Sjava and Lady Zamar
Unfortunately, although Sjava and Lady Zamar have gone their separate ways, it hasn't been an amicable breakup.
Lady Zamar had an interview with Sunday World and let the world know that Zulu singing sensation, Sjava had raped her. Off the bat, people were divided about the allegations and since then, there has been a plethora of new news about the two's relationship before, during and after their relationship.
On many occasions, Lady Zamar has been firm in her decision that she doesn't feel safe around Sjava to which many claims were ignored until she pressed charges against the singer for rape.
2017 - Best Male at Metro FM Awards for Isina Muva (Nominated) 2017 - Best New Artist at Metro FM Awards for Isina Muva (Nominated) 2017 - Best Afro Pop Album at Metro FM Awards for Isina Muva (Nominated) 2017 - Best Produced Album at Metro FM Awards for Isina Muva (Won) 2017 - Best Produced Album at SAMAs for Isina Muva (Won) 2017 - Rising Star at the DSTV Mzansi Viewers' Choice Awards (Won) 2018 - Viewers' Choice Best International Act at the BET Awards (Won) 2019 - Album of the Year at SAMAs for Umqhele (Won) 2019 - Best Engineered Album of the Year at SAMAs for Umqhele (Nominated) 2019 - Best Afro Pop Album at SAMAs for Umqhele (Won) 2019 - Male Artist of the Year at SAMAs (Nominated) 2019 - Best Male Artist In Southern Africa at the AFRIMAs
