Big Zulu, born Siyabonga Nene in Bergville, KwaZulu-Natal, in 1986, works in the taxi industry before leaving in 2008 to pursue music full time. He wins Red Bull's Back to the City competition in 2013 and breaks through with 'Donsa Nkabi' in 2016, setting isiZulu rap against maskandi guitar and isicathamiya-schooled harmony — rural KwaZulu-Natal carried intact into the hip hop mainstream. 'Imali Eningi', with Riky Rick and Intaba Yase Dubai, is certified double platinum, and in 2021 he collects seven South African Hip Hop Awards in a single year. Inkabi Records, the label he founds in 2019, develops Lwah Ndlunkulu among others; as half of Inkabi Zezwe, his duo with Sjava, the single 'Umbayimbayi' reaches triple platinum. He releases Icala Le Mpumelelo in April 2025 and Undodakazi, an album with his daughter Nkabikazi, that October, while judging the talent show Ushuni Womhlaba.
Big Zulu sits in the artist layer of Viranova's knowledge graph — the timeline below tracks every story, interview, and event connected to it.
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Scatterlings: Johnny Clegg Reimagined brings contemporary South African artists into conversation with Johnny Clegg’s catalogue, showing that legacy can remain open, moving and alive.
Past
DJ Zinhle hosts and headlines her own day-to-night Women's Month festival at the Johannesburg Expo Centre, with a 30-plus artist bill. Doors 12:30, music from 14:30 until late; tickets are on sale.
