Sun-El Musician

Early life and education

Sanele Tresure Sithole was born on 28 March 1989 in the town of Mooi River, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, and raised along with his four siblings by a domestic worker mother.^[6][7] He attended the University of KwaZulu-Natal but dropped out in 2007.

Career

Shortly after he left school Sithole spent two years at home and began his musical career in 2007 remixing songs and creating mixtapes.^[8] Sithole met Thandukwazi Demor Sikhosana who signed him under his record label Demor Music (Pty) Ltd, worked as music producer for a period of 5 years.^[6] During that period he worked in the studio with Bucie from 2011-2014,^[9][10] and he produced three albums for Demor.

2015-2019: EL World Music, Africa to the World

In early 2017 he established EL World Music.^[11][12]

Sithole then began to create his own music under the name Sun-El Musician. His debut single "Akanamali" featuring Samthing Soweto was released on May 21, 2017. It became his first biggest song reached no.1 on Shazam and certified Platinum in South Africa.^[13][14]

"Bamthathile" featuring Mlindo the Vocalist was released on February 23, 2018, as album's second single.^[15]

His debut studio album Africa to the World, was released on April 20, 2018.^[16][17] The album reached Platinum in South Africa.

The singles "Sonini", "Bamthathile", and "Ntab'Ezikude" all received 2× Platinum certifications from the Recording Industry of South Africa (RiSA)^[18] In June 2018, his single "Akanamali" earned him three awards at the 24th South African Music Awards, including Best Collaboration, Highest Airplay Song and Highest Airplay Composer.^[19] Africa to the World was also nominated at the 25th South African Music Awards in June 2019.^[20]

Sithole made collaboration with Ami Faku on a single "Into Ingawe", released on June 7, 2019. The song was certified 3× Platinum by RiSA.^[21][22][23]

Also in 2019, Sithole embarked on an extensive tour of South Africa.^[24]

2020-2021: To the World & Beyond, African Electronic Dance Music

In April 2020, Sithole released album's lead single "Uhuru" with South African singer Azana.^[25][26]

Following month May 2020, his second single "Ubomi Abumanga" featuring Msaki was released.^[27] It was certified 2× Platinum by Recording Industry of South Africa.

"Emoyeni", a single by Sun-El Musician, Khuzani, Simmy was released in July 2020, in celebration of Ukhozi FM 60th Anniversary.

His second studio album To the World & Beyond was released in December 4, 2020.^[28][23] The album reached Platinum in South Africa.

African Electronic Dance Music was released on 29 October 2021 in South Africa.^[29] On African Electronic Dance Music, Sun-El experimented electronic dance music style incorporated with elements of afro house.^[30][31] It was supported by four singles; "Higher", "Amateki/Ululate", "Woza". Pan-African Music enlisted African Electronic Dance Music number 1 on The 30 best albums of 2021 year-end lists.^[32]

African Electronic Dance Music received three nominations; Album of the Year, Male Artist of the Year, and Best Dance Album at the 28th South African Music Awards.^[33]

The previous day, Sithole headlined the Basha Uhuru Creative Uprising Festival alongside Langa Mavuso.^[34]

In December 2021, Sithole was chosen by Gallo Records to work on classic songs remix on the Extended Play titled Music is Forever along with Nobuhle, Muzi, and other artists.^[35][36]

2022-2023: AEDM: Interstellar

In May 21, he headlined to Bassline I AM LIVE concert.^[37]

Towards the end of May 2022, he headlined to MTN Bushfire Festival, held at Malkerns Valley, from May 27–29.^[38][39]

Sithole announced his upcoming project AEDM: Interstellar (pronounced African Electronic Dance Music: Interstellar) on December 8, 2022 set to be released on 2023 released double single "Makwande" with Fk Mash, Ami Faku, "Rata" with TNS and Skillz.^[40] Both singles were released on December 9, 2022.

In April 2023, Sun-El Musician and Msaki teased a single "Amandla" on a snippet video clip and announced release date on October. The song was released on November 3, 2023.^{[41] [42]}

2024-present: New label Under Da Sun, Under The Sun

His fourth studio album Under The Sun, was released on February 13, 2026.^[43][44] The production of the album incorporated elements of soulful house, Afro-electronic production and organic instrumentation.^[43]

Albums

EPs

As lead artist

Production and songwriting credits

Guest appearances