Zoë Modiga

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Zoë Modiga
Birth namePalesa Nomthandazo Phumelele Modiga
BornOverport, Durban, KwaZulu-Natal
GenresJazz
Occupationssinger-songwriter
Instrumentsvocals
LabelsYelloëwax
Websitewww.zoemodiga.com

Palesa Nomthandazo Phumelele Modiga, professionally known as Zoë Modiga is a South African singer and songwriter. Modiga first gained recognition as contestant on The Voice South Africa 2016.

Modiga's second studio album Inganekwane (2020), debuted number one globally.

Career[edit]

Palesa Nomthandazo Phumelele Modiga was born Overport, Durban and raised in Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu-Natal,[1] her musical interest began at the age of 10, singing for local music competition.

Modiga attended the National School of Arts in Johannesburg where she studied classical piano, clarinet and vocals.

From 2013 to 2015, Modiga enrolled College of Music, University of Cape Town in Jazz performance studies. That same year, Modiga won South African Music Rights Organisation's (SAMRO) Overseas Scholarships Competition for Jazz.[2] Following year, she contested on The Voice South Africa and made it to the Top 8.[3]

Her debut studio album Yellow: The Novel was released in 2017.[3][4] The album was nominated Best African Artist Album and Best Jazz Album at the South African Music Awards.

On June 26, 2020, her second studio album Inganekwane was released.[5][6][7] Ingankwena incoparates jazz composition, motown soul, and African storytelling. The album debuted number one globally.[8]

Modiga headlined to 14th Annual Mzansi Fela Festival, which was held in State Theatre, Guateng in December 2021.[9]

2023-present: Nomthandazo, Cos Cos Tour[edit]

In September 14, Modiga announced her Cos Cos Yaphela Tour and upcoming studio album scheduled to be released in 2024.[10] The tour includes 3 dates that ran from September and concluded at The Star Theatre, Cape Town on October 20.[11]

In November 2023, Modiga was hourned with Women of the Year title by Glamour.[12]

In early April 2024, Modiga announced pre-save of her upcoming third studio album Nomthandazo, scheduled to be released on April 26, 2024.

Discography[edit]

  • Yellow: The Novel (2017)
  • Inganekwane (2020)
  • nomthandazo (2024)

Singles[edit]

As lead artist[edit]

List of singles as lead artist, with selected chart positions and certifications, showing year released and album name
Title Year Peak chart positions Certifications Album
ZA
"Lengoma" 2019 Non-album single
"Umdali" 2020 Non-album single
"Instha" Inganekwana
"Umlolozelo" 2021 African Lullabies (Part 1)
"Ngelosi" 2024 Non-album single
"amen" Non-album single
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.

Awards and nominations[edit]

Awards Year Prize Results Ref.
AFRIMMA 2021 Best Artiste, Duo or Group in African Jazz Nominated [13]
Basadi in Music Awards 2022 AC Wines Jazz Artist of the Year Nominated [14]
Glamour 2023 Women of the Year Won

References[edit]

  1. ^ "ZOE MODIGA: REPRESENTING THE PRESENT & FUTURE OF SOUTH AFRICAN MUSIC". The Insider South Africa. Retrieved 2022-06-14.
  2. ^ "Zoë Modiga and the sacred art of Yellow - The Mail & Guardian". The Mail & Guardian. Retrieved 2022-06-14.
  3. ^ a b Modise, Refilwe (2020-08-03). "WATCH: Zoe Modiga opens up about her musical journey and new album 'Inganekwane' – The Citizen". The Citizen. Retrieved 2022-06-14.
  4. ^ Mkhabela, Sabelo. "Zoë Modiga's South African Jazz Album Is a Happiness Pill for Tough Political Times - OkayAfrica". OkayAfrica. Retrieved 2022-06-14.
  5. ^ Monaheng, Tseliso (2022-07-12). "Zoë Modiga putting together the pieces of a new era". Mail & Guardian. Retrieved 2024-03-01.
  6. ^ Mukhari, Arthur (2020-07-10). "GLAMOUR EXCLUSIVE: Zoë Modiga talks life, her career and her sophomore album Inganekwane". Glamour. Retrieved 2022-06-14.
  7. ^ Monaheng, Tseliso (2020-06-15). "Zoë Modiga talks life and her new album Inganekwane". Pan African. Retrieved 2022-06-14.
  8. ^ Shumba, Ano (2020-07-10). "Zoë Modiga: New album is a love letter to all black people | Music In Africa". Music In Africa. Retrieved 2022-06-14.
  9. ^ Modise, Kedibone (2021-12-04). "Msaki, Amanda Black, Zoë Modiga to headline Mzansi Fela Festival". Independent Online. Retrieved 2022-06-15.
  10. ^ "Acclaimed singer Zoë Modiga discusses her upcoming tour and more". GQ Magazine. 14 September 2023. Retrieved 16 September 2023.
  11. ^ Gueli, Alessandro (August 24, 2023). "ZOË MODIGA SET TO PLAY THREE LIVES SHOWS IN SA THIS SEPTEMBER AND OCTOBER". Texx and the City. Retrieved 2023-03-01.
  12. ^ https://www.glamour.co.za/lifestyle/introducing-the-glamour-women-of-the-year-2023-award-winners-powered-by-tresemme-5df0d29d-5196-4657-bbc9-b694717eb888
  13. ^ "AFRIMA 2021 Winners List". afrima.org.
  14. ^ Shumba, Ano (2022-07-06). "Basadi in Music Awards 2022: All the nominees". Music in Africa. Retrieved 2022-07-07.