Pappi Ndelu

Pappi Ndelu (born Mpumelelo Ndelu; March 4, 1976, better known by his stage name Pappi, is a singer-songwriter and guitarist. His music can be classified as Christian Contemporary Pop-Rock.

Music Career

Pappi started showing his love for music as early as 5 years old, and he wrote his first song at six years old. He continued to write songs as he grew older, he classmates recalls him busy writing lyrics during class lectures.
Its wasn't until he was 12 years old that he and his childhood friends: Sann, Doctor, Sifiso, Nams, Cebo, Sbu - decided to form a R&B and hip hop band called the Mo' Geez. The Mo' Geez was an immediate hit on the undergroung scene with the local teenagers in Durban, getting the chance to do opening acts on major contests such as the Miss Durban modelling contest and many other popular South African acts at the time.

It was until he was 15 years old that he was invited by a local artist promoter and soon to be manager - that Pappi was asked to feature as a rapper on a Newly signed Sony Music artist called "Ntokozo" - Pappi immediately started touring the country with Ntokozo's act. Pappi caught the eye of Sony, South Africa CEO Lindelani Mkhize on New Year's eve bash 2006 in Johannesburg after a show with Ntokozo, that he decided to perform a dance track that he had produced in the studio in Durban, he was then immediately offered a record deal with Sony Music Entertainment.

Pappi's solo music career began when he was signed by Sony Music Entertainment, South Africa at age 16 years old, followed by the release of his debut single, WASHA released in February 1997. In 1997 Pappi released a debut album called "Washa," a dance album. And began touring the whole of South Africa and got the chance to share stages with the world renowned & Grammy Award winning Accappela group Ladysmith Black Mambazo, the Grammy Award winner Jazz Trumpeter and former label mate Hugh Masekela. Pappi amongst the artists perfomed at the Nelson Mandela birthday bash 2008 in Durban, sharing the stage with world renowned artists such as Boys II Men, LL Cool J and many more. Pappi releases his follow-up album dance album called "Its my party" which he had co-produced with Martin Engel (founding member, former bassist, manager and producer of TREE63) recorded at TREE63's resident recording studio at their home in Westville, Durban. In 2002 - February, Pappi gives his life to completely to Christ, and turns his back from recording secular music and take a break from music altogether. Having come into terms with Martin Engel and the company of TREE63. "I recall thinking Wow, these guys are young Christians and really cool It was amazing to see young cool people that lived for God, while I was living a reckless life on the fast lane." In 2002 - October, moves to London to pursue studies in Accounting, whilst in London, he joined Kensington Temple pentecostal church in Nottinghill Gate and begins to serve in the worship ministry. In 2004 - Receives a clear call to ministry and enrolled at the Kensington Bible College called the International Bible Institute of London and majored in Missions and Evangelism, which is where he met his wife Charlotte. In 2006 - Pappi graduates at Bible School. And later that year he begins studying at the International Institute of Contemporary Music in london to study accoustic guitar and complete the course later that year.

Early Life

Pappi was born in Umlazi Township, Durban, South Africa, the son of the late Julia Thokozane Ngwane, a fashion public relations manager and businessman Armstrong Ndelu. He has two other brothers; Mduduzi William (a medical technologist and businessman), Marco Ntobeko (a businessman) and two sisters, Gugulethu "Cynthia" a university of South Africa faculty head, and Duduzile "Ingrid" a hotel manager at the Hilton, South Africa.

Entrepreneurship

Pappi is founder and owner of Pappi Ndelu Enterprises Europe, which is the parent company that runs Azuza Street Records Ltd UK (the label to which he is currently releasing his recording works), Pappi Music Publishing Ltd, and Pappistore Ltd an ecommerce website that specialises in consumer electronic and now due to sell Pappi Ndelu's official merchandise after December 2008.

Personal life

Pappi is married to Charlotte Ndelu and Cantonese origin, born and raised in Hong Kong and they have a 8 month old daughter Jada. They live in in London, Battersea. He currently is a lead worshipper at the Kensington Temple - Coronet overflow service in Nottinghill, London.

External References:

http://www.lookandlisten.co.za/product/detail.aspx?productid=D81DBC67-2E42-4D09-913C-5E81D5A8E1E0

http://www.jump.co.za/product/pappi-washa-100928.htm

http://www.jump.co.za/category/music/local/761/order6/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JLV3Mgx-etE

Main Menu

See Also

Main Menu