Buffalo Souljah

Thabani Ndlovu, known professionally as Buffalo Souljah, is a South Africa-based Zimbabwean reggae recording artist and songwriter. He won ten times at the Channel O Africa Music Video Awards, Soundcity Music Awards, and Zimdancehall Awards and Nominated for Afrimma, Afrima, IRAWMA. He owns the record label U.N.A. (United Nations of Africa Music Group).

Early life

Ndlovu was born in 1980 in Bulawayo as the third-born in a family of four. He then moved to Harare, where he was raised in the high-density suburb of Mufakose. He attended Mufakose High School and then moved to South Africa soon after graduating.

Career

Buffalo Souljah's career began at the age of eight when he composed his first song, "Zuva Randisinga Kanganwe" (The day I will never forget). The song was inspired by a childhood incident in which he and his brother were chased by some baboons after having taunted and provoked them. Buffalo credits his passion for music to his father, who was also a musician. His father was a jazz artist and saxophonist who worked with Thomas Mapfumo in the late 1970s and early 1980s.

Buffalo Souljah also recorded an Afro-jazz album called Indolvu Yangena on VaNyoni Beats Records, working closely with Mzilikazi Wa Afrika.

Early collaborations

In 1996, Buffalo Souljah and his friends David Zulu and Stewart Chamirai formed the group Intelligent Racuss Cruuks, formerly known as ULD, aka Prettybway. The group released three afro hip-hop albums, a mix of traditional music called jiti and hip-hop which involved a hip-hop drum, kick, and bass sequence fused with the Zimbabwean traditional instrument Mbira.

When he moved to South Africa in 1999, he entered its music industry and worked with several South African artists, featuring on their albums. In 2002, he had his first break working with the Ghanaian artist Kweku, aka Instinct. He was later involved with a group called Street Disciples and published an album, The Chosen Ones under the label Da Apostles.

Record deal: United Nations of Africa (U.N.A) Later, Buffalo Souljah signed with HOTWAX records, a record album owned by veteran DJ Waxxy. Buffalo Souljah now owns and heads a record label called U.N.A. (United Nations of Africa), and signed his first artist, Vanessa Sibanda, formerly known as Queen Vee, in 2010. Queen Vee is a former pageant queen, being crowned Miss Zimbabwe in 2008. After relinquishing the crown in 2009, Queen Vee relocated to South Africa and met Big Buff, who eventually signed her to his label United Nations of Africa. Since 2010, Queen Vee has worked with celebrated musicians such as A L-Tido, Ziyon from Liquid Deep and AB Crazy among others.

Endorsements Buffalo Souljah has signed endorsements with One Campaign, Coke Studios, and One Man Band.

Performances

Harare International Festival of the Arts Zimbabwe Lake of Stars Nigeria Calaba Festival Tanzania Hip-Hop Mag Festival City of Joburg New Year's Eve Washington DC African Summit Concert Lake of Malawi Malaysia African Diaspora Festival

Notable singles

In 2008, Buffalo Souljah released a dancehall single, "Bubble Ya Bums", for his debut album. It became a hit. The music video was on high rotation on Channel O and MTV Base and won him two Channel O Spirit Of Africa Awards in the categories "Best Newcomer" and "Best Dancehall/Ragga" respectively.

Discography Song Album Year Ziyawa The Chosen One 2014 Chibhambi Chabhadhara The Chosen One 2014 Da Chosen One The Chosen One 2014 Basawine The Chosen One 2014 Luv Song The Movement 2009 My Type O Guy The Movement 2009 Too Many O Me The Movement 2009 Ghetto Anthem The Movement 2009 Belong (with Nasty C) Coke Studios Collab 2016 Bubble Ya Single release 2008 My Lady Single release 2016 Kilamanjaro Single release 2016 Dj Waxxy: Yini Single release 2017 Samzee Deenamba: From the streets 2016 Featuring Buffalo Souljah and Eindo Blacklez: Success Single release 2015 Queen Vee: Thirsty Single release 2015 Born to be wild Single release Featuring Nyla (Brick N Lace)

Awards and recognition In 2013, Buffalo Souljah was appointed the Zimbabwean Youth Cultural Ambassador by Minister S. Kasukuwere. Song/Project Award Year Platform Bubble Your Bumz Best Newcomer 2008 Channel O Africa Music Video Awards Bubble Your Bumz Best Ragga Dancehall Video 2008 Channel O Africa Music Video Awards Buffalo Souljah/Taygrin/Gal level for My Type Of Girl (Zimbabwe/Malawi/Namibia) Best Duo or Group 2009 Channel O Africa Music Video Awards Judgement Best Ragga Dancehall Video 2009 Channel O Africa Music Video Awards Ezandlha Phezulu Viewers Choice (Voting) 2010 Soundcity Music Awards Styra Inonyengesa featuring Cabo Snoop Best Ragga Dancehall 2011 Channel O Africa Music Video Awards Turn Up Most Gifted Ragga Dancehall 2014 Channel O Africa Music Video Awards N/A Best Artist Diaspora 2015 Zimdancehall Awards N/A International Achiever 2016 Zimbabwe Music Awards (ZIMA)N/A Best Reggae Nigeria AFRIMA N/A Africa Best Dance hall Texas U.S N/A Best International Artist 2020 Zimdancehall Awards N/A Rest of Africa (nomination) 2021 South African Music Awards Buffalo Souljah is the only Zimbabwean artist to win multiple Channel O Music Video Awards (six in total).