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Rebecca Malope

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Rebecca Malope
Background information
Birth nameBatsogile Lovederia Malope
Born (1968-06-30) 30 June 1968 (age 56)
OriginLekazi, Mpumalanga, South Africa
Genres
Occupations

Batsogile Lovederia Malope (born June 30, 1968[1]) known professionally as Dr Rebecca Malope, is a multi-award-winning South African gospel singer. She is known as "The African Queen of Gospel."[2] Her music career spans more than three decades. She has sold at least 10 million albums worldwide, making her one of the biggest selling gospel artists of all time. Most of the 36 albums she has released have reached multi-platinum status.

Since 2004, she has been the hostess of the TV show It's Gospel Time where she never forgets to say "Masimshayeleni'Zandla", which is loosely translated as "let us give him/her a round of applause".[3] In 2013 she was one of the judges in Clash of Choirs South Africa.[4]

Early life

Dr Rebecca Malope was born in 1968 in Lekazi near Neslpruit in Mpumalanga.[5] In her early age she was confined to a wheelchair after an illness; doctors believed she would be unable to walk on her own.[5] As a child, she and her sisters sang hymns in their local church. Later, as a teen, she joined a gospel group which eventually led her to Johannesburg, where she was brought to the attention of producer Zizwe Zakho.[6]

Career

Her musical career began in 1984. At the age of 16 she and her sister Cynthia left their home township of Kanyamazane, near Nelspruit, and hiked 400 km (250 mi) to Evaton, and then finally reached Johannesburg. In 1985, Malope entered the Shell Road to Fame television contest with the band she was with, but they were eliminated in the first round of the competition.

In 1986, she meet Sizwe Zako at Gallo Studios. He remembered her from their unsuccessful auditions. Zako felt that with his guidance Malope could win the Shell Road to Fame were she was to enter the competition as a solo artist. In 1987, Malope did so and won Shell Road to Fame in the category of Female Vocalist with the gospel song "Shine On", dedicated to political unrest during Apartheid in South Africa.

Despite winning Shell Road to Fame, she struggled to find a record company. Finally she was given a recording contract by MFM but was told that gospel music was off-limits. She was pushed to perform disco songs to sell records to compete with Brenda Fassie, Yvonne Chaka Chaka and Mercy Phakela who were the biggest female artists at the time.

Sizwe Zako convinced the executives at MFM to include one gospel song on Malope's debut album Sthembile Kuwe. The song was more well received than the pop songs on the album. In 1989, Malope released two albums, Thank You Very Much and Woza Lovey. Both albums reached platinum status. In 1990, Malope released Buyani. The title track "Buyani" was dedicated to individuals she viewed as struggle heroes, particularly Nelson Mandela who was released from Robben Island prison the same year. The album achieved double platinum status and Malope won Best Female Vocalist at the OKTV Awards, beating Brenda Fassie. In 1991, she released her final pop album Saturday Nite. Like previous albums, she included three gospel songs.

In 1992, Malope released a full gospel album Rebecca Sings Gospel. The album was well received by music critics, media, and fans, and widened her fame. She was the first gospel artist whose songs were played along with mainstream music like pop and Afrikaans music. To this date the album has sold over one million copies and is regarded as one of the best gospel albums of all tie in South Africa.[by whom?]

Following the success of Rebecca Sings Gospel, in 1993 Ngiyekeleni was released, and followed the same success as her previous album. In 1994, she released Umoya Wam whose title track is known as Malope's signature song. The album surpassed her previous records in terms of sales. Malope won the Coca-Cola Full Blast Music Show Best Established Local Artist award with a record of 10 million votes by listeners. She won Best Contemporary Gospel Album at the first South African Music Awards in 1995. The album was dedicated to peace in South Africa as it transitioned to democracy in 1994. In 1996, she released Shwele Baba; it broke records at the time becoming the fastest-selling album in South Africa, selling 100 000 units within three weeks of release.

Malope has released 36 albums in a musical career spanning more than 30 years to date. In 2009, she released her 30th album, entitled My Hero, containing double CDs. In April 2010 she released her 31st album Uzohamba Nami. On 14 March 2011, Malope released her 32nd album, Ukuthula (which means "Peace"). She was quoted in a local newspaper saying: "In Ukuthula people must expect rejuvenating sounds and I love the whole album. I decided on that name after thinking about the state the world is in today. People have no peace. There is war everywhere, even in churches. I want people to come together and more importantly have peace in their lives, so that we can have peace in the world."[7]

Personal life

She is married to a businessman Themba Tshabalala.[1]

Honours and awards

Dr Rebecca Malope received an honorary doctorate from the University of KwaZulu-Natal and the University of California for her contribution to the music industry.[8][failed verification]

Year Award Work Results
1987 Shell Road to Fame Best Female Vocalist Rebecca Malope Won
1990 OKTV Awards Best Female Artist Rebecca Malope Won
1993 Coca-Cola Full Blast Music Show: Best Established Local Artist Rebecca Malope Won
1994 Coca-Cola Full Blast Music Show: Best Established Local Artist Rebecca Malope Won
1995 South African Music Awards Best Female Artist Rebecca Malope Nominated
- South African Music Awards Best Contemporary Gospel Album Umoya Wam Won
1996 South African Music Awards Best Female Artist Rebecca Malope Nominated
South African Music Awards: Best Contemporary Gospel Album Shwele Baba Nominated
South African Music Awards Best Selling Album Shwele Baba First Runner up
1997 South African Music Awards Best Female Artist Rebecca Malope Won
South African Music Awards Best Selling Album Uzube Nam' Won
South African Music Awards Best Contemporary Gospel Album Uzube Nam' Nominated
Kora All Africa Music Awards Most Promising Female Artist Rebecca Malope Nominated
1998 South African Music Awards Best African Gospel Album Angingedwa Won
South African Music Awards Best Selling African Release Album Angingedwa Won
South African Music Awards Best Selling Album by South African Angingedwa Won
South African Music Awards Best Female Artist Rebecca Malope Nominated
1999 South African Music Awards Best African Gospel Somlandela Won
South African Music Awards Best Female Artist Rebecca Malope Won
Kora Awards Best Southern Africa Artist Rebecca Malope Nominated
2000 South African Music Awards Best African Gospel Album Ukholo Lwam' Nominated
Metro FM Music Awards Best Gospel Album Siyabonga Won
2001 South African Music Awards Best African Gospel Album Siyabonga Won
2001 Metro FM Music Awards Best Gospel Album Sabel'Uyabizwa Nominated
2002 South African Music Awards Best African Gospel Album Sabel'Uyabizwa Won
Metro FM Music Awards Best Gospel Album Iyahamba Lenqola Won
2003 South African Music Awards Best African Gospel Album Iyahamba Lenqola Won
South African Music Awards Best Female Artist Rebecca Maalope for Iyahamba Lenqola Nominated
Kora Awards Best Female African Gospel Artist Rebecca Malope for Iyahamba Lenqola Won
Kora Awards Best African Music Video Iyahamba Lenqola Nominated
Metro FM Music Awards Best Gospel Album Hlala Nami Nominated
2004 South African Music Awards Best African Gospel Album Hlala Nami Won
Kora Awards Best Female African Gospel Artist Rebecca Malope for Rebecca & Tsepo Nominated
Metro FM Music Awards Best Gospel Album Rebecca & Tsepo Nominated
2005 South African Music Awards Best African Gospel Album Rebecca & Tespo Nominated
Metro FM Music Awards Best Gospel Album Rebecca Malope for Qaphelani Won
2006 South African Music Awards Best Female Artist Rebecca Malope for Qaphelani Nominated
South African Music Awards Best African/Traditional Gospel Album Qaphelani Won
South African Music Awards Most Popular Artist of the year Rebecca Malope Nominated
2007 South African Music Awards Best African Contemporary Gospel Album Umthombo Won
Metro FM Music Awards Best Gospel Album Amakholwa Nominated
2008 South African Music Awards Best African Traditional Gospel Album Amakholwa Nominated
2008 SABC Crown Gospel Music Awards Best DVD Rebecca Live in Soweto Nominated
SABC Crown Gospel Music Awards Best Artist Rebecca Malope Won
SABC Crown Gospel Music Awards Life Time Achievement Award All Life's Work Honoured
2009 South African Music Awards Best African Traditional Gospel Album Uehovah Ungumadida Won
2010 Metro FM Music Awards Best Urban Gospel Album Uzohamba Nami Nominated
2011 South African Music Awards Best African Traditional Gospel Album Uzohamba Nami Nominated
Metro FM Music Awards Best Urban Gospel Album Ukuthula Nominated
2013 South African Music Awards Best Traditional Faith Music Album Rebecca Live in Concert Nominated
2014 South African Music Awards Best Traditional Faith Music Album Bayos'Khomba Won
South African Music Awards Best Female Artist Rebecca Malope for Bayos'Khomba Nominated
2015 South African Music Awards Best Traditional Faith Music Album Ama VIP Nominated
Metro FM Music Awards Best Urban Gospel Album Ama VIP Nominated
SABC Crown Gospel Music Awards Classic of All Time Umoya Wam Won
2017 South African Music Awards Life Time Achievement Award Life's Work Honoured
2018 DSTV Viewers Choice Awards Live time achievement Life's Work Honoured

Discography

  • Rebecca (1987)
  • "Woza Lovey" (1988)
  • "Thank You Very Much" (1989)
  • Six of the best (1989)
  • Saturday Nite (1991)
  • Buyani (1990)
  • Rebecca Sings Gospel (1992)
  • Ngiyikeleni (1993)
  • Umoya Wam (1994)
  • Uzube Nam (1995)
  • Shwele Baba (1996)
  • Live at the State Theatre (1996)
  • Angingedwa (1997)
  • Free at Last: South African Gospel (1997)
  • Somlandela (1998)
  • Ukholo lwam (1999)
  • Siyabonga (2000)
  • Christmas with Rebecca and Friends (2000)
  • Sabel'Uyabizwa (2001)
  • Iyahamba Lenqola (2002)
  • Hlala Nami (2003)
  • The Queen of Gospel and the Village Pope (2004)
  • Qaphelani (2005)
  • The Greatest Hits (2005)
  • Umthombo (2006)
  • Live in Soweto (DVD) (2006)
  • Live in Soweto (CD) (2007)
  • Amakholwa (2007)
  • Ujehova Ungu'madida (2008)
  • African Classics (2009)
  • My Hero (2009)
  • Live at the Lyric Theatre (DVD) (2010)
  • Uzohamba Nami (2010)
  • Ukuthula (2011)
  • Rebecca Live Concert ft Tshwane Gospel Choir (CD)(2012)
  • Rebecca Live Concert ft Tshwane Gospel Choir (DVD)(2012)
  • Bayos' khomba(2013)
  • AmaVIP (2014)
  • Lord You Are Good (2019)

Television

Dr Rebecca Malope is a South African gospel singer and television personality who rose to fame after winning the 1987 Shell Road to Fame Competition. [9]

Show Character
Clash of the Choirs South Africa – Seasons 1–3 Judge-Herself
eKasi: Our Stories – Season 6 Thembi
Gospel Alive – Seasons 1–16 Guest Artist – Herself
Rolling With... – Season 4 (Celeb Edition) Herself
The South African Music Awards – Season 20 Performer – Herself
Zaziwa – Season 1 Herself
Idols SA Season 14 Guest Judge – Herself
Idols SA Season 15 Guest Judge – Herself

References

  1. ^ a b Priscillah Mueni (30 April 2019). "Rebecca Malope biography, childhood, career, best songs, and pregnancy". briefly.co.za.
  2. ^ "Rebecca Malope and Benjamin Dube crowned queen and king of African gospel music". News24. Retrieved 12 November 2018.
  3. ^ "Rebecca Malope revela seu homem para o mundo". Sabc2.co.za. Retrieved 3 November 2017.
  4. ^ "Rebecca Malope". Tvsa.co.za. Retrieved 17 October 2014.
  5. ^ a b Sahoboss (17 February 2011). "Rebecca Malope". South African History Online. Retrieved 29 October 2018.
  6. ^ "Rebecca Malope | Biography & History | AllMusic". AllMusic. Retrieved 29 October 2018.
  7. ^ "Gospel digest – March 09, 2011". Independent Online. South Africa. Retrieved 17 October 2014.
  8. ^ "Sis Ribs admits not understanding her 'Dr' status". Retrieved 29 October 2018.
  9. ^ "Rebecca Malope | TVSA". www.tvsa.co.za. Retrieved 29 October 2018.