Sello "Chicco" Twala (born June 5, 1963) is a South African singer and record producer. He has produced many hit singles for well-known artists in the country, including Nkosana Kodi and Brenda Fassie.[1][2][3][4] In the 1970s, he played in soul bands including Umoja and Sipho "Hotstix" Mabuse's Harari, as well as forming his own band, Image.[5]
Sello Chicco Twala | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Sello Twala |
| Also known as | Chicco Thwala |
| Born | 5 June 1963 Soweto, Johannesburg, South Africa |
| Genres | Afropop |
Early life
editTwala was born in Soweto, Johannesburg, where he attended Bopasanatla High School.[5]
Career
editTwala rose to prominence in the 1980s, writing a string of hit singles[6] such as We Miss You Manelo (1987), which was certified triple-platinum by RISA, as well as Brenda Fassie's Too Late for Mama (1989), which was certified platinum. The title of the former is a reference to Nelson Mandela, who was imprisoned on Robben Island at the time.[7]
In 1992, Twala recorded a soul ballad entitled Peace Song, shortly before the nation's first democratic elections in 1994.[8][9] He also collaborated with poet Mzwakhe Mbuli on Papa Stop The War (1990). Twala also wrote songs for and produced the album Memeza (1997) as part of a comeback by Brenda Fassie.[10][11] Some of Twala's songs feature in Lion King II.
Through his music studio in Soweto, he works to help develop young musical artists' careers. He has won various awards, such as a Lifetime Achievement South African Music Award[12][13] and a Metro FM Music Award.[14]
Twala's song Modjadji was featured on the official soundtrack of the film Grimsby.[15]
Personal life
editSello Twala is the son of Elias Twala and Betty Khombo Masitha. He was married to Thembi and they had 3 children, Longwe,Lamiez and Nowie. He got another son named Sello Twala.
References
edit- ^ "Gospel singer Nkosana Kodi dies". Sowetan Live, 23 June 2014.
- ^ Diane Coetzer, "South Africa's Fassie In Critical Condition", Billboard Biz, 28 April 2004.
- ^ Mzilikazi wa Afrika (20 August 2014). Nothing Left to Steal. Penguin Books Limited. pp. 226–. ISBN 978-0-14-353140-1.
- ^ Lauren Beukes (2004). Maverick: Extraordinary Women from South Africa's Past. Oshun. pp. 1–. ISBN 978-1-77007-050-9.
- ^ a b Max Mojapelo (2008). Beyond Memory: Recording the History, Moments and Memories of South African Music. African Minds. pp. 12–. ISBN 978-1-920299-28-6.
- ^ David Bellin Coplan (1 January 1992). In township tonight!: musique et théâtre dans les villes noires d'Afrique du Sud. KARTHALA Editions. pp. 392–. ISBN 978-2-86537-341-3.
- ^ Sandra Hayes (20 December 2004). Who's Who of Southern Africa 2004. Taylor & Francis.
- ^ Accent. ABC Press. 1993.
- ^ South African Pressclips. Barry Streek. January 1992.
- ^ Simon Broughton; Mark Ellingham; Richard Trillo (1999). World Music: Africa, Europe and the Middle East. Rough Guides. pp. 655–. ISBN 978-1-85828-635-8.
- ^ Binyavanga Wainaina (1 November 2005). Kwani? 01. Kwani Archive Online. pp. 89–. ISBN 978-9966-9836-0-2.
- ^ "Sello Chicco Twala Receives Lifetime Music Achievement Award (Draft Resolution)". Peoples Assembly
- ^ "Pop star shows no mercy at Wawela Awards". ENCA/
- ^ "12th Metro FM Music Awards" Channel 24.
- ^ "Grimsby (2016) - Soundtracks". IMDB. Retrieved 7 January 2023.