Babes Wodumo Biography, Net Worth, History & Music Career – Like the male folk in the South African music industry, the females are also exerting an influence and carving a niche for themselves. One of such females is Babes Wodumo. She is a South African gqom artist and choreographer and is loved by thousands of South Africans.
Babes Wodumo Biography, Net Worth, History, Age & Music Career
Babes Wodumo was born on the 25th of March 1994, in Lamontville, Chatsworth. Her given name is Bongekile Simelane and goes by Babes Wodumo for her music. After she was born, her father nicknamed her Babes. He believed her eyes looked like one of the singers in the Babes group.
Babes Wodumo was brought up by her father, Reverend Welcome Semilane. She grew up alongside her only sister, Nonduh Simelane.
Babes Wodumo desired to be a dancer and a musician right from her tender age. She grew up loving dancing, singing, football and athletics. It was all these that led to her the name, Wodumo. Her parents did not approve of her music and preferred her to be a social worker, as she loved to help people especially the elderly. They came round eventually and supported her choice.
Babes Wodumo Music Career
Bongekile Simelane aka Babes Wodumo released her first song in the year 2014. Its title was Desha and was produced by Sir Bubzin.
In 2016, Babes Wodumo released her debut album titled Gqom Queen Volume one. Several music artists were featured and they include Mampintsha who was a guest artist in all the songs, Cassper Nyovest, DJ Sox, Sparks Wabantwana, Scoop, Kholwane, Khuzani, Dbanj a Nigerian musician, Danger and DJ Tira.
Due to her extreme talent and ear for good music, she was featured on the Black Panther album by Kendrick Lamar in the year 2017. This was also because of the limelight her album brought her to.
Not missing a beat, Babes Wodumo released another album titled Indando Kazi. It was made accessible to the public in July 2020. Like in her first album, Babes Wodumo featured Mampintsha on 10 songs in the album. She also featured other music artists like RockBoy, Cultivated Soulz & Sizwe Mdlalose, Rhythm Soundz, Dladla Mshunqisi, and Tipcee, etcetera.
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Babes Wodumo Song list
Albums
Gqom Queen Volume one. Released in the year 2016.
Indando Kazi released in the year 2020.
Singles
eLamont- featuring Mampintsha and Sklliz.
Abadala- featuring Mampintsha, TNS and Skillz.
Angeke- featuring Rhythm Soundz, Dladla Mshunqisi and Tipcee.
Corona- featuring Mampintsha and Worst Behavior.
Dankie Jack- featuring Mampintsha and Drega
Intombi Yesgebengu -featuring Mampintsha, Madanon and Drega
Izitha- featuring Mampintsha, RockBoy, Cultivated Soulz and Sizwe Mdlalose
Levels- featuring Native Life, Madanon and Mampintsha
MaTen Ten- featuring Drega and Sizwe Mdlalos
Umzimba -featuring RockBoy, Madanon and Benzy.
Ungangyeki- featuring Newlandz Finest.
Personal life
Bongekile Simelane aka Babes Wodumo was married to Mandla Maphumulo. He was a member of the Big Nuz group. Their marriage was unexpected as they didn’t announce it. People were surprised after the couple posted a picture on Instagram showing off their wedding rings. Individuals criticized their marriage. It was believed that Mampintsha was only trying to milk Babes Wodumo’s fame. There were also physical abuse allegations that made the rounds since 2018. The couple, however, believed that love conquers all. They affirmed their love for each other by taking to social media and posting a nauseating video of themselves in a hot tub.
Babes Wodumo Awards and nominations
Babes Wodumo Biography wouldn’t be complete without mentioning her award achievements in the music industry;
16th Metro FM Music Awards nominee for Best Dance Album due to her work in Gqom Queen Volume one.
16th Metro FM Music Awards nominee for Best Female Album for work done in Gqom Queen Volume one.
16th Metro FM Music Awards for Song Of The Year due to her work in Wololo featuring Mampintsha & Distruction Boyz.
23rd South African Music Awards nominee for Newcomer Of The Year, Female Artist Of The Year, Record Of The Year due to her work in Wololo featuring Mampintsha & Distruction Boyz. She was also nominated for Album of the Year due to her work in Gqom Queen Volume one and for the category of Female Artist of The Year.
MTV Africa Music Awards nominee for Song Of The Year. This was due to her work in Wololo featuring Mampintsha and Distruction Boyz. This happened in 2016.
BET Awards nominee for the category of International Act: Africa.
Winner of Dance Music Awards occurring in 2017. She won the category of Best Dance Female Artist. This was due to Gqom Queen Volume 1.
2017 MTV EMA nominee under the category of Best African Act.
All African Music Awards 2018 nominee for Best Female Artiste in Southern Africa.
South African Gqom Awards 2019, winner for Best Female. She was also nominated under the following categories Song Of The Year, Best Music Video and Best Music Video Director.
Controversies
Bongekile Simelane aka Babes Wodumo was the most nominated music artist at 2017 edition of South African Music Awards. Unfortunately, she did not win any award and out of anger, she accosted the personnel and accused them of selling the awards.
You might have been wondering why Mampintsha appeared a lot on Babes Wodumo’s album. Well, it appears the duo were a couple. Mandla “Mampintsha” Maphumulo was Babes Wodumo’s boyfriend and manager. On the 3rd of March 2019, news began making the rounds that Mampintsha had physically assaulted Babes Wodumo. It was made public knowledge because Babes Wodumo broadcast the scenery on Instagram live. This led to the arrest of Mandla “Mampintsha” Maphumulo. She eventually dropped the case between them and chose to tow the convenient path of forgiveness. The relationship was over but the duo remained friends and she even featured him in her second album Idando Kazi to the consternation of her fans who felt he was sucking up to her for fame. Babes Wodumo addressed the issues and said she simply enjoyed making music with Mampintsha.
Tha Simelane stirred a hornet’s nest by accusing Babes Wodumo of using cocaine. This was after an emotional Instagram live session between them. The accusation was unexpected and came out of the blues. Babes Wodumo however did not take it lying down. She charged Tha Simelane to court for defamation of character. Thank Simelane apologized profusely and even published a public notice recanting his statement. Babes Wodumo however, insisted on taking him to court. This must be a lesson to future trouble makers.
Conclusion
Bongekile Simelane aka Babes Wodumo is a hard-working young artist determined to get to the peak of her career. It’s very evident that she will.
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