Biography
Busiswa Gqulu, born November 8th, 1988, popularly known as Busiswa or Busi, is a South African singer, songwriter, and poet. Busiswa came to limelight after being featured on DJ Zinhle song “My Name Is” after being discovered by Kalawa Jazmee’s CEO Oskido.
Early Life/Education
Busiswa Gqulu was born on November 8, 1988, in Mthatha, Eastern Cape, South Africa. When she was young, her family relocated to Durban due to her parents work.
At the age of 15, Gqulu developed a passion for writing poems. Bususwa said that she has been doing poetry since 2004, when she was in Grade 11. She performed her first poetry work at her grandmother’s funeral.
In 2005, she joined the collective, Young Basadzi Women of Poetry. Since then, she has performed her poetry at corporate events, poem sessions, talent shows, and festivals. She also hosted her monthly poetry events, which are called “1st Word Sessions,” at the Bat Centre in Durban.
After high school and while trying to get a proper job, Gqulu performed her poems. She was then employed at an art center to teach school children the arts. Gqulu’s parents supported her career choice as they had no money to take her to university.
Career
Busiswa began her poetry journey at the age of 15 when she was in Grade 11. She later furthered her passion in 2005, after she joined the collective Young Basadzi Women of Poetry.
Busiswa came to the limelight after she received co-writing credits in late 2011 for the recording of the hit jam “My Name Is” which was produced by DJ Zintle.
She has been making waves since and has also been featured on famous music icon, Beyoncé’s The Lion King: The Gift album in 2019 on the track “My Power.”
Busi then relocated to Johannesburg, South Africa, together with the rest of the Kalawa Jazmee Records team. At the time, “My Name Is” was very popular, so she got invitations to perform both at local and international events. She performed in countries such as Namibia, Zimbabwe, and Angola.
On the 11th of March 2013, the musician released the single, Ngoku, on iTunes and later on YouTube. The jam gained popularity and was a top dance hit.
The chorus of this jam is attractive. To promote Ngoku, Busi performed it on Club 808 on E.TV alongside Oskido.
In November 2013, Gqulu released a single, “Lahla,” featuring DJ Bucks and Uhuru. The song’s video accumulated more than 1 million views on YouTube.
Gqulu, along with DJ Bucks, performed the song live on SABC1’s music show Live Amp. She also performed the song at the 2015 Metro FM Awards.
September 2016 saw Busi joining the Clash of the Choirs for the fourth season. She took up the role of a choirmaster alongside Kelly Khumalo, JR, IFANI, Sifiso Ncwane, and Anele Mdoda.
She was the choirmaster of the Kwa Zulu Natal choir, but her team got eliminated after a battle with IFANI’s Western Cape.
Busi announced the release of her debut album, Highly Favoured, in August 2017. Busiswa Bazoyenza was the lead single of the album. Highly Favored featured DJ Maphorisa, Busi N, Lando, Yasirah, Moozlie, Nokwazi, DJ Toxic, DJ Athie, and Da Fre.
The album was nominated for the Best Kwaito Album Award at the South Africa Music Awards. She was also nominated for the Best Female Artist Award at the same award show. That year, she featured in Isichathulo by Tipcee and Vuvushka by DJ Maphorisa.
Busiswa Net Worth
Busiswa is a famous South African singer, dancer, internet personality, and social media influencer with a net worth of $2 million.
Discography
- Club Controller
- We Travelled
- Entara
- Bazoyenza
- Ngoku
- Ngibambe Nyan
- Nonke
- Afro Trap
- khilo
- Lahla
- Magun remi
Personal Life
On January 8, 2018, Gqulu gave birth to a son, Lakhanya Gqulu with his boyfriend, Katlego Mlangeni, well known as DJ Kaygee.
Social Media
- Facebook – Busiswa
- Instagram @busiswaah
- Twitter @busiswaa
