Nomcebo Zikode is a 38-year-old South African singer, songwriter, and performer who started her career as a backup singer. Nomcebo has been in the music industry for more than 15 years but gained global popularity in 2019 with Master KG’s hit song Jerusalema. The song topped charts in Africa and earned her both local and international fame which she has used as a springboard to greater heights. Nonetheless, the SA singer was said to be on the verge of giving up on her music career before Master KG offered her the traffic hit.
Zikode was born Nomcebo Nothule Nkwanyana on the 28th day of October 1985 in Mpumalanga, South Africa. She attended Ukusa High School, Mpumalanga for her basic education. Thereafter, she went ahead to study at Havatech College and graduated in 2006 with a degree in Information Technology. However, she did not make any use of the certificate she got as a result of her choice of a different career path. From childhood, Nomcebo aspired to be a singer and once mentioned how her friends laughed at her when she told them that she wants to make a career out of music. Immediately after high school, Nomcebo left her family house in KZN and relocated to Johannesburg to pursue her music career. In 2003, she first tasted media attention after emerging as the winner of the Ukhozi FM talent search. This is a competition that offers South Africans between the ages of 18 and 25 the chance to become the next big radio personality on Ukhozi FM. It is chaired by Tshepo Nzimande and had other runner-ups such as Nhlanhla Nciza, Lundi, Kholeka, Zahara, and S’fiso. At this time, she had already started featuring in South African singer, Zahara’s music as her backup singer. In 2004, she collaborated with DJ Ganyani and they produced Emazulwini. Nomcebo Zikode got signed as an artist under Open Mic Production music label and that became the inception of her solo career. The following year, she released her debut single, Imizamo Yami. The song talks about unrequited love from either a family member or loved one, and how much it hurts. Imizamo Yami was a growing trend and gained her a great level of public attention. On 29th November 2019, South African DJ and record producer, Master KG released an upbeat gospel-influenced house jam, Jerusalema featuring Nomcebo Zikode. The song gathered a massive positive response and became a very big announcement for Nocembo. The music video was released in the following year in July 2020 and currently has more than 437 million views on YouTube. Nigerian music star Burna Boy promptly collaborated with Nomcebo and released its remix, making it a bigger hit with over 6 million streams on audio mack and 23 million views on YouTube.
Nomcebo Zikode Was Born And Raised In Mpumalanga
At Age 19, Nomcebo Zikode Left Her Family Home to Pursue a Career in Music
She Gained Public Recognition With the Song, Jerusalema
Jerusalema has long crossed the boundaries of South Africa and stayed at the top of the charts of most-streamed music in Africa. It became attention-grabbing and engaging, as well as gained lots of global reactions following the #Jerusalemachallenge. People from different parts of the world participated in the challenge and uploaded videos of themselves dancing to the song. Among the notable personalities who took part in the challenge was football icon, Cristiano Ronaldo.
Not only that, the government of Isreal was exceptionally impressed with the song and went ahead to congratulate and acknowledge Master KG and Zikode for honoring their capital city. Some of their government officials also took up the challenge and posted the videos as well. The two South African talents, Master KG and Zikode simply proved to the world that when it comes to music, language is never a barrier. The massive popularity she earned through the song led to the rumor that it was her “one-hit” song but she laughed it off and maintained that she only sees it as a starting point to her big break.
Nomcebo Has Collaborated With Many Artists
Over the course of her career, Nomcebo Zikode has worked with several artists in the country such as DJ Ganyani, Nhlanhla Nciza, Deborah Fraser, Lundi Tyamara, De Mogul SA, Bongo Beats, and Master kG. She was nominated for the Rookie Award at the 2019 Backing Vocalists & Session Musicians Awards (BVSM). The singer is the representative of the Department of Sports, Arts, and Culture (DSAC), South Africa. Below are some of her collaborations.
- Dj Ganyani – Emazulwini (Mas Musiq Remake) ft. Nomcebo
- Bongo Beats – Thando Unamanga ft. Nomcebo Zikode
- Dj Mshega – Impilo ft. Nomcebo
- Mobi Dixon – Kobanini Ft. Nomcebo & T-Love
- Master KG – Jerusalem Ft. Nomcebo
- DJ Ganyani – Emazulwini (Villager SA Afro Remix) ft. Nomcebo
- Master ChengFu – Nguwe Ft. Nomcebo Zikode
- Professor – Sobablili Ft. Nomcebo
- Eyadini Lounge – Jabulile Ft. DJ Ganyani & Nomcebo
- De Mogul SA – Nto featuring Nomcebo
- DJ Ganyani – Emazulwini ft. Nomcebo
Some Of Her Singles
- Yini
- Thando Unamanga
- Nguwe
- Imizamo Yami Ft. Bongo Beats
Her Latest Release is Her Debut Album
On 20th August 2020, Nomcebo Zikode dropped her first studio album titled Xola Moya Wami. The album comprises 9 songs and featured artists like Bongo Beats, Master KG, and Makhadzi. The songs contained in the album are Bayabuza, Xola Moya Wami (Radio Edit) ft Master KG, Indlela (Radio Edit), Njabulo, Ngiyesaba ft. Makhadzi, Xola Moya Wami ft Master KG, Imizamo Yami ft Bongo Beats, Indlela, and Siyafana.
Fun Facts to Know About Nomcebo Zikode
- She is married to the legendary Deborah Fraser’s son, Selwyn Fraser, and they share two children
- Her husband doubles as her manager
- Her net worth is estimated between $500,000 to $1 million
- One of her favorite food is pap and amasi
- Nomcebo’s favorite meal of the day is Lunch
- She is addicted to music but prefers African sound to other genres
- She loves dancing, preferably behind closed doors and in the comfort of her home