Elaine (singer)

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Elaine
Birth nameNdivhuwo Elaine Mukheli
Born (1999-04-02) 2 April 1999 (age 24)
Pretoria, South Africa
OriginLimpopo, South Africa
Genres
Occupation(s)
  • singer
  • songwriter
Instrument(s)
  • Vocals
Years active2019–present
LabelsColumbia

Ndivhuwo Elaine Mukheli (born 2 April 1999), known mononymously as Elaine, is a South African R&B singer and songwriter from Pretoria. While studying law at the University of the Witwatersrand, she self-released her debut EP Elements in September 2019.[1] The EP reached No. 1 on both the national iTunes and Apple Music album charts, making her the first independent female artist to do so.[2][3]Elements was certified Platinum by RISA a year after its initial release and was nominated for Best R&B/Soul Album at the 26th South African Music Awards. Elaine was subsequently signed to Columbia Records in December 2020.[1]

Early life[edit]

1999–2018: early years[edit]

I remember the owner of the pre-school came to me and gave me a solo – this solo was ‘Silent Night’ and girl, that’s when my career took off. This was my time to shine, and I think from the moment I sang that solo, I knew that this is what I want to do for the rest of my life.

—Elaine on her childhood introduction to singing[4]

Ndivhuwo Elaine Mukheli was born in Pretoria on 2 April 1999. She started singing at age six and participated in the school choir and various talent competitions while growing up.[4] In 2014 she received a gold medal at the 8th World Choir Games in Riga, Latvia.[5][6] While attending high school, Mukheli began writing her own music.[7] She began studying law at University of the Witwatersrand in approximately 2018,[1] and stated in November 2019 that she was part of the university's Golden Key Honour Society.[7]

Career[edit]

2019–present: Elements[edit]

Elaine uploaded her debut single, "Slip Away" onto SoundCloud in February 2019, before officially self-releasing it in April 2019. Her follow-up single, "I Just Wanna Know" was released in August 2019. Elaine was the first South African artist to be part of Spotify's Radar artist program alongside Taiylor Manson .[8][9] She released her debut EP, Elements, on 29 September 2019.[10] The 7-track EP was produced by Clxrity alongside Elizee from South African hip-hop duo Elizee and Malachi and was described by OkayAfrica as "a mellow blend of trap-soul and R&B with incisive explorations of adolescent love."[11] The EP was successful on streaming charts, helping Elaine clock one million accumulative streams within two weeks of its initial release.[12] She was deemed as Apple Music's New Artist Spotlight after Elements reached No. 1 on the album chart in South Africa.[13] At one point in February 2020, all seven songs from Elements simultaneously placed in the top 10 of the national Apple Music R&B/Soul songs chart.[14] The EP, spawned the single "You're The One", which also topped both iTunes and Apple Music single charts.[15] The single earned Elaine both her radio debut and first number one on the Metro FM Top 40,[16] as well as several weeks atop both the 947 Top 40,[3] and KFM Top 40.[17] Her debut music video for "You're The One" was released in early April 2020 and gained approximately 100 thousand views within 24 hours of its initial release.[18][19] As of late April 2020, Elaine continues to "dominate" South African music charts.[20] Elements was certified Platinum by the Recording Industry of South Africa (RISA) in July 2020.[21] The EP was also nominated for Best R&B/Soul Album at the 26th South African Music Awards.[22] Elaine was signed to Columbia Records in August 2020.[23][24][25]

In November 2020, she was nominated for Best Female Southern Africa at 2020 African Muzik Magazine Awards.[26]

On 12 May 2021, she released a single "Right Now ".[27]

On 24 March 2022, she released her highly anticipated single "Shine". She first teased the song on TikTok and Instagram. In September 2022, Elaine had released her latest single, “Deja vu”.

Artistry[edit]

Elaine's musical style regarding genre has been described as trap-soul (a blend of trap and soul music),[1][4][11] alternative R&B,[28][20] contemporary R&B,[28][1] and neo-soul.[20] She has cited R&B singers such as Lauryn Hill and Beyoncé as her biggest inspirations.[29] Elaine's musical style has been compared to that of Tsakani Mhinga and H.E.R.,[30] as well as Jhené Aiko and Summer Walker.[31]

Discography[edit]

Extended plays[edit]

Title Details Certifications
Elements EP
  • Released: 29 September 2019
  • Label: Self-released
  • Format: Digital download, streaming

Singles[edit]

Title Year Certification[21] Album
"Slip Away" 2019 — Non-album single
"I Just Wanna Know" Elements EP
"Say It"
  • RiSA: 3×Platinum
"When We’re Alone"
  • RiSA: Platinum
"I/You"
  • RISA: 2× Platinum
"Changes"
  • RiSA: 3× Platinum
"You’re The One" 2020
  • RISA: 3× Platinum
"Risky"
  • RiSA: 3× Platinum
"Right Now"[32] 2021 — Non-album single

Awards and nominations[edit]

Award Year Recipient(s) and nominee(s) Category Result Ref.
South African Music Awards 2020 Elements R&B/Soul Album of the Year Nominated [22]
African Muzik Magazine Awards 2020 Herself Best Female Southern Africa Nominated [26]
BET Awards 2021 Best New International Act Nominated [33][34][35]
MTV Africa Music Awards 2021 Best Breakthrough Act Pending [36]
African Muzik Magazine Awards 2021 Best Female Southern Africa Won [37]
Headies 2022 Best Southern African Artiste Of The Year Pending [38]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b c d e Hlalethwa, Zaza (22 November 2019). "Elaine is in her element". Mail & Guardian. Retrieved 29 May 2020.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  2. ^ Nxumalo, Lee (8 April 2020). "Elaine is South Africa's new R&B It Girl". Red Bull. Retrieved 29 May 2020.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  3. ^ a b Mbhele, Zweli (8 May 2020). ""Every moment we have is a big moment. I'm grateful for their support." – Elaine". 947. Retrieved 29 May 2020.
  4. ^ a b c Kabwe, Suwi (7 January 2020). "Exclusive: R&B Sensation Elaine Delves Deep into Her Musical Journey". Between 10and5. Retrieved 5 May 2020.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  5. ^ Ntsinde, Mandisa (15 January 2020). "5 Things You May Not Know About Soulstress, Elaine". Zkhiphani. Retrieved 29 May 2020.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  6. ^ "Apple Music's New Artist Spotlight, Elaine". Le'Afrinique. 4 November 2019. Retrieved 29 May 2020.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  7. ^ a b Mathebula, Kwanele (22 November 2019). "5 minutes with singer Elaine". Bona Magazine. Retrieved 29 May 2020.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  8. ^ Eggertsen, Chris (9 March 2020). "Spotify Launches Global Emerging Artist Program RADAR With Alaina Castillo in the U.S". Billboard. Retrieved 29 May 2020.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  9. ^ Shumba, Ano (13 March 2020). "Spotify launches programme for emerging artists". Music in Africa. Retrieved 29 May 2020.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  10. ^ "Elaine Delievers [sic] Pure RnB & Soul on New 'Elements' Project [Listen]". Hype. 30 September 2019. Retrieved 29 May 2020.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  11. ^ a b Kaunda, Mayuyuka (13 December 2019). "South African Women Dropped the Best Debuts of 2019". OkayAfrica. Retrieved 29 May 2020.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  12. ^ Kumona, Molife (11 March 2020). "5 Reasons we are obsessed with Elaine". GQ. Retrieved 29 May 2020.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  13. ^ "RnB sensation Elaine takes on charts and Apple Music's New Artist Spotlight". City Buzz. 18 December 2019. Retrieved 29 May 2020.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  14. ^ "South Africa Apple Music Top 100 R&B/Soul Songs: Week 8". top-charts.com. Retrieved 29 May 2020.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  15. ^ "You're the One by Elaine – Chart Performance". Top-Charts.com. Retrieved 29 May 2020.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  16. ^ Manjo, Theo (2 May 2020). "Elaine Goes on Beats Radio 1 With Nadeska". Slikour on Life. Retrieved 29 May 2020.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  17. ^ "KFM Top40SA". Top40SA.co.za. 23 May 2021. Archived from the original on 29 May 2021. Retrieved 29 May 2020.
  18. ^ Sekhu, Michael (6 April 2020). "Elaine Drops Video for – You're The One". People. Retrieved 29 May 2020.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  19. ^ Mhkabela, Sabelo (6 April 2020). "Elaine Finally Releases a Music Video for her Hit 'You're the One'". OkayAfrica. Retrieved 29 May 2020.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  20. ^ a b c Makhubo, Sabelo (28 April 2020). "Elaine's Debut EP, Elements Continues Its Dominance of the Music Charts". JustNje. Retrieved 29 May 2020.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  21. ^ a b c "South Africa certifications". Recording Industry of South Africa. Retrieved 27 July 2021.
  22. ^ a b Ciolfi, Tecla (16 July 2020). "Here's your first look at The SAMAs full list of nominees for this year's SAMA26 #ForThaKultcha". Texx and the City. Retrieved 6 August 2020.
  23. ^ Kekana, Chrizelda (20 August 2020). "SA singer Elaine joins the same label as Beyoncé and Adele". The Times. Retrieved 25 August 2020.
  24. ^ "South Africans celebrate as singer Elaine goes global with Columbia Records". Eyewitness News. 20 August 2020. Retrieved 25 August 2020.
  25. ^ "Artists – Columbia Records". Columbia Records. Archived from the original on 19 August 2020. Retrieved 19 August 2020.
  26. ^ a b Hansen, Gabriel Myers (16 November 2020). "African Muzik Magazine Awards 2020: All the winners | Music in Africa". Music in Africa.
  27. ^ Shabangu, Nobantu (13 May 2021). "Elaine's New Single Is Simply Stellar". OkayAfrica.
  28. ^ a b Donelson, Marcy. "Elaine – Biography by Marcy Donelson". AllMusic. Retrieved 29 May 2020.
  29. ^ "HYPE Magazine Interviews Elaine". Hype. 2 October 2019. Retrieved 29 May 2020.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  30. ^ Mkhabela, Gugulethu (13 March 2020). "Elaine Mukheli, one SA talent you need to hear right now". Glamour. Retrieved 29 May 2020.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  31. ^ Makinde, Tami (10 March 2020). "For the Girls: Elaine is the South African singer you want to get familiar with". The Native. Retrieved 29 May 2020.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  32. ^ "Right Now". Spotify. 13 May 2021. Retrieved 15 May 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  33. ^ "SA singer Elaine nominated for a 2021 BET Award". News 24. Retrieved 16 June 2021.
  34. ^ "Tems and Elaine join Burna Boy, Wizkid and Diamond Platnumz at the 2021 BET Awards". The NATIVE. 28 May 2021. Retrieved 16 June 2021.
  35. ^ "South African Songstress Elaine Bags BET Nomination". Vibesnmore. 29 June 2021. Retrieved 16 June 2021.
  36. ^ "Here Are the 2021 MTV Africa Music Awards Nominees". OkayAfrica. 11 December 2020. Retrieved 1 July 2021.
  37. ^ Hansen, Gabriel Myers (13 December 2021). "African Muzik Magazine Awards 2021: All the winners | Music In Africa". Music In Africa. Retrieved 30 April 2022.
  38. ^ "2022 Headies Full List Nominees - Vanguard News". Vanguard News. 24 May 2022. Retrieved 26 May 2022.
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