Bholoja

Bholoja, born Mbongiseni Ngubane, is to be considered one of the most relevant figures of the contemporary African music scene. After the success of his first album, Swazi Soul, released in 2009, Bholoja gained vast appreciation and earned ample recognition in Southern Africa, becoming the first Swazi artist to achieve international exposure solely through the works of his music.
He draws his inspiration from Swazi tradition and seeks to preserve the country’s cultural heritage through his songs. His music is a response to the changing global situation and African growth challenges. This passionate artist soon became Eswatini’s rising symbol of its native rhythms, melodies, arts and culture. Maintaining Swazi traditions is his greatest inspiration and his way of living, becoming a mouthpiece for the underprivileged, bringing forward a message of hope to the victims of true social and health pandemics.

Bholoja’s unique and original brand of music, which he calls Swazil Soul, quickly gained popularity in Southern Africa, and his distinctive and outstanding voice has become its symbol. It is hard to classify his characteristic music as it meanders and bend between his various sources of inspiration, such as alternative soul, gospel, jazz, blues and African traditional. What is certain about his music is that it is cloaked in social commentary, and it speaks to the listener. His enduring popularity is largely a result of his music lyrical strength, depth and individuality. A large number of his songs focus on the social and economic issues that govern peoples’ daily lives. With an infectious sense of humour and optimism that prevails through all his music, Bholoja’s appeal extends to young and old alike.

In 2009, he recorded his debut album, Swazi Soul, in Paris, France through the help of the Alliance Francais du Swaziland. In 2015, he completed Swazi Soul II in Pretoria, South Africa. Swazi Soul III is currently in the final stages of production.
Some of his other musical achievements include:
Best Upcoming African Musician 2009 Artist at Visa Pour la Creation hosted by Culture France.
Best Siswati Album (Swazi Soul) 2010 South African Traditional Music Achievement (SATMA)
Best Album (Swazi Soul) 2012 Swaziland Tihlabani Awards
Artist of the Year 2012 Swaziland Tihlanani Awards.
For three consecutive years, he won the Best-Selling Swazi Artist and Most Popular Swazi Artist categories, also at the Swaziland Tihlabani awards.
In 2010, he again was in the top ten nominees in Radio France International (RFI).

His growth as an artist has seen him sharing the stage and studio with great names in the music scene, such as Hugh Masikela, Erika Badu, Jimmy Dludlu, Sipho Hotsticks, Judith Sephuma, Tshepo Tsola, Ray Phiri, Nqubeko Mbatha, Bheka Mthethwa, Nduduzo Matse, Flowe, Switch, Fanaza, KRTC, Lokua Kanza, Tony Cox, Steve Newman, Kalid Kuen, Vincent Bucher, Tao Ravao, Oliver Mtukudzi, Freshly Ground, Kunle Ayo, Simphiwe Dana and many more.

He has shared his music at numerous venues since his 2004 debut at House on Fire. This includes many festival...