Sun-El Musician

Life and career Early life and education Sanele Tresure Sithole was born on 28 March 1989 in the town of Mooi River, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, and raised along with his four siblings by a domestic worker mother. He attended the University of KwaZulu-Natal but dropped out in 2007.

Career Shortly after he left school Sithole spent two years at home and began his musical career in 2007 remixing songs and creating mixtapes. Sithole met Thandukwazi Demor Sikhosana who signed him under his record label Demor Music (Pty) Ltd, worked as music producer for a period of 5 years. and he produced three albums for Demor.

2015-2019: EL World Music, Africa to the World

In early 2017 he established EL World Music.

Sithole then began to create his own music under the name Sun-El Musician. His debut single "Akanamali" featuring Samthing Soweto was released on May 21, 2017. It became his first biggest song reached no.1 on Shazam and certified Platinum in South Africa.

"Bamthathile" featuring Mlindo the Vocalist was released on February 23, 2018, as album's second single.

His debut studio album Africa to the World, was released on April 20, 2018. The album reached Platinum in South Africa.

The singles "Sonini", "Bamthathile", and "Ntab'Ezikude" all received 2× Platinum certifications from the Recording Industry of South Africa (RiSA) In June 2018, his single "Akanamali" earned him three awards at the 24th South African Music Awards, including Best Collaboration, Highest Airplay Song and Highest Airplay Composer.

Sithole made collaboration with Ami Faku on a single "Into Ingawe", released on June 7, 2019. The song was certified 3× Platinum by RiSA.

Also in 2019, Sithole embarked on an extensive tour of South Africa.

2020-2021: To the World & Beyond, African Electronic Dance Music

In April 2020, Sithole released album's lead single "Uhuru" with South African singer Azana.

Following month May 2020, his second single "Ubomi Abumanga" featuring Msaki was released. It was certified 2× Platinum by Recording Industry of South Africa.

"Emoyeni", a single by Sun-El Musician, Khuzani, Simmy was released in July 2020, in celebration of Ukhozi FM 60th Anniversary.

His second studio album To the World & Beyond was released in December 4, 2020. On African Electronic Dance Music, Sun-El experimented electronic dance music style incorporated with elements of afro house. It was supported by four singles; "Higher", "Amateki/Ululate", "Woza". Pan-African Music enlisted African Electronic Dance Music number 1 on The 30 best albums of 2021 year-end lists.

African Electronic Dance Music received three nominations; Album of the Year, Male Artist of the Year, and Best Dance Album at the 28th South African Music Awards.

The previous day, Sithole headlined the Basha Uhuru Creative Uprising Festival alongside Langa Mavuso.

In December 2021, Sithole was chosen by Gallo Records to work on classic songs remix on the Extended Play titled Music is Forever along with Nobuhle, Muzi, and other artists.

2022-2023: AEDM: Interstellar

In May 21, he headlined to Bassline I AM LIVE concert.

Towards the end of May 2022, he headlined to MTN Bushfire Festival, held at Malkerns Valley, from May 27–29.

Sithole announced his upcoming project AEDM: Interstellar (pronounced African Electronic Dance Music: Interstellar) on December 8, 2022 set to be released on 2023 released double single "Makwande" with Fk Mash, Ami Faku, "Rata" with TNS and Skillz. Both singles were released on December 9, 2022.

In April 2023, Sun-El Musician and Msaki teased a single "Amandla" on a snippet video clip and announced release date on October. The song was released on November 3, 2023.

2024-present: New label Under Da Sun, Under The Sun, Red Bull Symphonic (Afro House, Our Home)

His fourth studio album Under The Sun, was released on February 13, 2026. The production of the album incorporated elements of soulful house, Afro-electronic production and organic instrumentation.

Towards the end of April 2026, Sun-EL Musician & Dlala Thukzin sold out their Red Bull Symphonic (Afro House, Our Home) 2026 in 2 hours, was conducted by Chad Hendricks The two night event was scheduled for June 13-14 at Montecasino, Johannesburg.

Discography Albums

+ List of albums, with selected details, sales figures and certifications Title Album details Certifications Africa to the World Released: 20 April 2018 Label: EL World Music Formats: CD, digital download, streaming RISA: Platinum To the World & Beyond Label: EL World Music Formats: CD, digital download, streamingUnder The Sun Released: 13 February 2026 Label: Under Da Sun Formats: Digital download, streaming

EPs

+ List of EPs, with selected details Title EP details AEDM: Interstellar Released: 9 December 2022 Label: EL World Music Formats: Streaming, digital download Impatient/You Never Know Released: 11 August 2026 Label: Anjunadeep Formats: Streaming, digital download

Singles As lead artist + List of singles as lead artist, with selected chart positions and certifications, showing year released and album name Title Year Peak chart positions Certifications Album "Akanamali" (featuring Samthing Soweto) 2017 1 RiSA: Platinum Africa to the World "Ntab'Ezikude" (featuring Simmy) 2018RiSA: 2× platinum "Into Ingawe" (featuring Ami Faku)RiSA: 3× platinum 2024— "Inhliziyo" (Sun-EL Musician, Mthandazo Gatya, Anzo featuring Kenza) — "feelings" (Miči, Frigid Armadillo, Sun-El Musician) — "Dangerous" (Sun-El Musician, Jnr SA)— "Sunshine" (Frigid Armadillo, Sun-El Musician)2025 — "You're Light" (Sun-El Musician, Msaki, Karyendasoul) — "Koyika" (Sun-EL Musician featuring Sai Hle) — Under The Sun "The Rise" (Sun-EL Musician featuring Mpho.Wav, Nurogroove) — "Angeke" (Sun-EL Musician, Thatohatsi, JNR SA, Kenza) 2026— "Ipatshazi" (JNR SA, Sun-EL Musician featuring Section Five) — Dance to My Afro "Bring Me More Bass" (Chronical Deep, Sun-El Musician) — H.O.P.E "—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.

Production and songwriting credits +List of production and songwriting credits, showing original artists, year released and album name Title Year Artist(s) Album Credit(s) Written with: Produced with: "Ngiyesaba" 2018 Simmy Tugela FairyProducer Simmy "Wawundithembisile" 2021 The One Who Sings Zolani Mahola Kenza (SA)"Light House" TRESOR Motion Co-producerTRESORDa Capo "Ezangakini" 2022 Professor featuring Shwi, and Sun-El Musician Producer Mkhonzeni Langa, Mandla Xaba, Zwelenduna Magubane, and Khethonjani Dludla Mpho.Wav and Tebogo Mbolekwa "Indlela" 2023 Drega, Sun-El Musician and Maline Aura Producer Bonga Ntozini, Sanele Sithole and Thandolwethu Nkomo Drega

Guest appearances

Other charted and certified songs + List of other charted songs, with selected chart positions and certifications, showing year released and album name Title Year Peak chart positions Certifications AlbumZA"Best Friend" (Sun-EL Musician, Msaki) 202175 GoldAfrican Electronic Dance Music "—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.

Tours EL World Music Experience (2019) Highest Airplay Song Highest Airplay Composer

Record of the Year

Newcomer of the Year Best Dance Album

Best Club DJ Male

Best Producer

Best Dance Album

Male Artist of the Year Best Produced Album of the Year Remix of the Year Best Live Audio of the Year M K H M A Best DJ 2021 All Africa Music Awards Best Male Artist in Southern Africa

Album of the Year

Best Dance Album Male Artist of the Year Remix of the Year