Big Nuz

Big Nuz is a South African Durban kwaito music group whose original line-up consisted of Mandla "Mampintsha" Maphumulo, Sbusiso “R Mashesha” Khoma and Mzi “Danger” Tshomela. Formed in 2002, the group originates from Umlazi township on the east coast of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa , located south-west of Durban and named after the car registration of that township, NUZ (Natal Umlazi). Big Nuz is known for their hit singles Ubala Featuring Dj Tira, Umlilo Featuring Dj Tira, Serious , Sting Ray Featuring Bhar & Dj Tira, Inazo & Tsege Tsege Featuring Durbans Finest(Dj Tira & Dj Sox) & Babes Wodumo^[1]

History

Early years

These three guys grew up together in the township Big Nuz comes from Big because they doing big things and NUZ represents the township they from Umlazi next to Durban. Nuz is the number plate for cars from Umlazi. Big Nuz consists of 3 guys Mandla "Mampintsha" Maphumulo, Mzi aka Danger and Sbu aka R Mashesha. The group was formed 2002 when they moved from Durban to Joburg to hustle for a record deal. It’s been a rough road trying to release an album; there is no studio in Joburg they don’t know since they went knocking in all the doors. In 2002 they did a jingle for Backstage on e-tv when the sopie was relocatingto Joburg, they then got a chance to perform on Backstage. They continued their hustling in 2003 working with Koloi Lebone and Beatmaker doing songs that were never released. In 2004 kwaito artist Ishmael featured them on a song called Boom Boom. 2006 they release their debut album called “Zozo” under Gallo Records working with the late Kid Mokoena for Why Not Entertainment. The album did not do well due to poor management by Gallo Records.

Return to Durban and Success

In 2007 they were called back home by DJ Tira to work with him. They did a hit track for Durbans Finest(Dj Tira & Dj Sox) called “Uyoysholo Wena” which is still on high rotation on some radio stations. They finally got it right at Afrotainment and joined the record label, Big Nuz dubbed the best lyricists in country their single “Ubala” should continue where Tzozo En Professor, Lvovo left… 2008 was the year for BIG NUZ. Their album 2nd Round Knockout is packed with upbeat grooves to make you dance anytime. It features production by DJ Tira, Shota of Shana, Professor,DJ Clock, DJ Fhiso, Blackcoffee and DJ Bongs. Tzozo, DJ Sox, Tira diliver tight rhymes on songs Ugesi, Ubala and Wawungenzenjani. The album topped the charts all over the country with all time classic single “Ubala”. “2nd Round Knockout” sold over 20 000 copies in South Africa. The album won the 2008 Metro FM Best Kwaito Award and got a nomination at the 2008 Channel O Awards. Big Nuz took the centre stage at the 2008 South African Music Awards as they delivered a superb performance opening the ceremony. Big Nuz also earned two nominations at 2008 SAMA’s for best Kwaito category and Song of the year.Big Nuz have been the busiest Kwaito group in the country doing shows from Cape Town to Manchester (London). They worked on the theme songs for KZN Department of transport and Nedbank Cup. They performed in 2009 ANC campaigns and President Jacob Zuma’s Inauguration.

Undisputed(2009)

In the winter of 2009 Big Nuz released their third studio album titled “UNDISPUTED”. They have worked with their number one producer, Dj Fisherman, and their mentor, DJ Tira. This album feature rhymes by Slikour from Hip Hop Group Skwatta Kamp, Chilli M and L'vovo Derrango. They also worked with KZN’s Gospel finest the late Sfiso Ncwane, the flute masters, Kwela Tebza and Durban rocksters DJ Bongz, DJ Twitty and DJ Clock. The album featured the hit song “Umlilo” produced by afrotainment ‘s DJ Fisherman, Umlilo went to on to become song of the year in 2010 on the SAMAs , Big Nuz also walked away with best album for their album Undisputed. The album went platinum other hits included in this album are Newlands West Feat Dj Tira & Siyagijima ft DJ Tira & Slikour.

Release Of Their Forth Album Pound For Pound(2011)

On August 1st 2011 they released their fourth studio album titled “Pound for Pound” a double disc album with 25 songs which featured hit songs such as “Sting Ray”, “Serious” , “Ntombenhle” & Emahlanyeni. Sting Ray became one of the big hits for December (2011), and the song of choice played on 5 big radio station to break into the new year. On the album they worked with Dj Bongz Khuli Chana, Joocy, Dj Tira, L'vovo Derrango, Shota, Tzozo ,Mzekezeke & Bhar The album went over 40 000 albums sold and it went platinum. 2012 the album, earned them a Best Kwaito Album SAMA Award at the 18 Annual South African Music Awards.

Made In Africa(2013)

They returned with their fifth album Made In Africa released in July 12th. this album sealed their position as kwaito heavyweights and the first single is called Hawaii a summer hit single. Inazo became the second single off the album and it topped the SA Top 10 Charts and ended as one of the biggest songs in 2013 & 2014. The last single off the album was Incwadi Yothando Featuring Gospel Artist Khaya Mthethwa. They earned the highest nominations at the SAMA 2014 Awards and won the best kwaito category. Big Nuz performed at the Mtv Africa Music Awards 2014 with the hit single Inazo along with their mentor Dj Tira on the decks. Made In Africa went to sell Gold and ended off Platinum Sales.

For The Fans(2015)

Earlier on the year 2015 they announced the release of their upcoming album and around June/July their single Osisi Bendawo dropped on the radio stations. On Friday August 7th member of the group R Mashesha passed away, however their sixth album was released the same day. Big Nuz continued the show launching the album the same day in honour of their member R Mashesha. R Mashesha died at the St Augustine Hospital in KwaZulu Natal at the age of 34,from complications with an operation following a lengthy illness. His funeral took place at the King Zwelithini Stadium in Umlazi Durban on August 15th 2015. The album had been a success going gold ending number 3 on ITunes Charts which featured the hit singles Osisi Bendawo, Phaqa,Tsege Tsege Featuring Durbans Finest(Dj Tira & Dj Sox) & Babes Wodumo,Siyaqamuka & Amaphela Featuring Professor & Dj Bongz. Tsege Tsege the third single off the album became a hit single on the SA charts at the 2nd position under Mi Casa's song Barman. It was later knocked off to the number spot. At the 22nd 2016 South African Music Awards(Sama) Big Nuz won the awards for Duo or Group of the year & Best kwaito album for their album For The Fans. These awards were dedicated for their late member of the group Sbusiso R Mashesha Khomo and showing prove they are still the best kwaito group in the country.

Discography

Albums

Awards and nominations

References

External links

• Official website