Lungelo Lubelwana

Lungelo Lubelwana was born in Gugulethu, Cape Town, South Africa on 15 April 1983. He can be described as the guy who grew up down the street in the township always making beats, either beat-boxing it, playing it on any surface he could find or more recently as he also prefers to do, recording on his mobile phone- when he’s not at the studio. However, his charisma, charm and multifaceted creativeness in his approach to his music and song writing all amount to the special attributes which he exudes both on stage and in person, making him and his Ragga, R&B and Hip Hop centric music unique and unparalleled.
The performance bug took a bite out of Lungelo at the young age of 8 while performing on primary school talent shows. His interest in music was propelled further when he heard the sound of an organ coming from the back of a local sweet shop. The church organ player was practicing for the next service when he noticed the fascinated eyes of the 11-year-old boy.
It was then that Lungelo first placed his hands on an instrument and he never looked back. He began playing percussions and the keyboard for the local church band. In his high school years he studied classical piano throughout at Dale College.
In 2002 he decided enter the Coca Cola Pop Stars and ended up in the top 20. This experience boosted his confidence made him realize that he was destined for a career in music. Upon returning to Cape Town, he began with his musical studies at
The following year he returned to Pop Stars not as a performer, but as the piano player. After this he regained his passion for playing and attended M7, a school that was founded and run by one of South Africa’s musical jazz greats, Abdullah Ibrahim. Lungelo then decided to broaden his musical knowledge and went on to study Production and Engineering.
The day that would mark the beginning of fulfilling his lifelong dream was the first meeting with his producer and friend, Ryan Beifus. The chemistry they generated compelled them to begin working on Lungelo’s self titled debut album and together they started their music production company, BigMouth Records.
In 2004 he opened for some of South Africa’s well-known artists like Pitch Black Afro and T.K. He was also one of the opening acts for International star, Blu Cantrell, alongside Loyiso Bala and T.K.
In 2005, after sending in a demo to Cape Town radio station Good Hope FM, his hit song “Andalusia” shot to the top of the charts and continued to receive frequent airtime on several other national radio stations. Following the success of “Andalusia” Lungelo was enlisted by Fletcher to perform at the Cell C Sounds of the City in Cape Town.
In May this year he performed at the Peoples Celebration Concert and opened for international super stars Snoop Dogg, Pharrel Williams, Sean Paul and Mario. An indication that his fan base is growing after thousands voted for him throughout the country to perform at the concert. He certainly did not disappoint the forty thousand fans who packed into the stadium and gave them an unforgettable and exhilarating performance.
After performing at the Kanye West Touch The Sky Concert - word of a new singing sensation from South Africa is spreading like wild fire. On the streets, in the clubs, bars and even in households people are asking ?who is Lungelo ? where did he come from? Who is this guy that goes from doing a gig at little bar to the international stage in only a matter of weeks with the biggest international stars in the world?
With his list of accomplishments mounting many wait in anticipation for his debut album later this year and his music video “Dirty Girl” soon to be screened on MTV.
Recently, he has also been producing for SAMA (South Africa Music Awards) winner Pro, international Hip Hop group Black Noise and even did the theme song for the new TV comic series Supa Strikas- www.supastikas.com
It seems clear that Lungelo is well on his way to giving South African music a taste of something they have never seen or heard before. His dedication, passion, multifaceted approach to his music make him unique and unlike any other artist and producer in South Africa to date.
“I feel like there’s something in me that’s so huge, but I have to be careful and take care of it.”
- Lungelo
His debut album “Collision” was released in November 2006, his website () offers information.
Look out for SoundBourne - 2010

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