Emtee (rapper)
| Emtee | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Mthembeni Ndevu |
| Also known as | Emtee The Hustler. |
| Born |
September 15, 1992 Matatiele, Eastern Cape, South Africa |
| Origin | Soweto, Gauteng, South Africa |
| Genres | |
| Occupation(s) | Rapper |
| Years active | 2009 - present |
| Labels | Ambitiouz Entertainment |
| Associated acts |
|
Mthembeni Ndevu (born September 15, 1992), better known by his stage name Emtee, is a South African rapper. He is best known for his debut hit single, "Roll Up". Emtee is currently signed to Ambitiouz Entertainment, a South African independent record label. His debut album Avery was certified platinum by RISA on 1st July 2016.
Early life
Mthembeni Ndevu was born in the mid-sized town Matatiele, situated in the Eastern Cape, a coastal province in South Africa. He grew up in Rockville, Soweto, a major township in the Gauteng Province.[1] In an interview on South African channel ANN7, eMTee claims that he wanted to be a musician from first grade in primary school.[2] He performed on stage for the first time at the age of 9, at a Yeoville primary school talent show.[3]
At the age of 17, eMTee started making money from his musical efforts. He became the youngest choir conductor at Barnato Park High School, and won many provincial competitions as a member of his school's marimba band.
Career
Early career
eMTee kept working on his music throughout his late teen years, opting to not repeat his final year although his pass was not good enough to enter him into the major universities in South Africa.[4]
In 2010, emTee collaborated with South African rapper Maraza on a song titled "In It To Win It". They appeared on Channel O's show "HeadRush".[5]
Debut album: Avery
In early 2015, a friend of eMTee, his producer Ruff produced the beat for the song that would eventually become his debut single "Roll Up". eMTee claimed that the entire track was recorded and finalized in two hours.[6] "Roll Up" received major radio play in Southern Africa and peaked at the top of DJ Speedsta's hip hop chart on YFM. Wizkid and South African rapper AKA featured on the official re-release of his single, which eMTee called Roll Up Re-Up". He said that "Roll Up" was recorded within a tight schedule, because he and team were finalizing his debut album.[7][8]
Emtee won his first award and nomination for the Song Of The Year award at the 2015 South African Hip Hop Awards, due to the single "Roll Up". "Roll Up" competed in a category where two South African gold selling artists as well as Khuli Chana each made at least two appearances.[9]
The next day on December 4, 2015, eMTee's debut album Avery was released on iTunes and to domestic music retailers. eMtee is currently the third most played South African hip hop artist in the latter part of 2015 (10th most played artist overall).
Discography
Studio albums
| Album Title | Album Details |
|---|---|
| Avery[10][11] |
|
Mixtapes
- The Introduction (2008)
D.I.Y (Do It Yourself) (2014)
Personal life
Emtee has a son who was born in 2015. Emtee's debut album Avery was named after his son.[12]
Awards and nominations
| Year | Award Ceremony | Prize | Recipient/Nominated work | Result | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | South African Hip Hop Awards 2015 | Song of The Year | "Roll Up" | Won | |
| 2016 | Metro FM Music Awards[13] | Best Music Video | Won | ||
| Best Remix | Won | ||||
| Best Hip Hop Album | Avery | Won | |||
| Best New Artist | Himself | Nominated | Lost to his label-mate Fifi Cooper | ||
| Listeners Choice Award | Won | ||||
| 22nd South African Music Awards | Album of the Year | Avery | Nominated | ||
| Male Artist of the Year | Himself | Nominated | |||
| Newcomer of the Year | Nominated | ||||
| Best Rap Album | Avery | Won | |||
| Amstel Record of the Year | "Roll Up" | Won | |||
| 2016 BET Awards Viewers’ Choice | Best New International Act | Himself | Won |
References
- ↑ "Emtee is earning his stripes". The Citizen. Retrieved 2016-01-18.
- ↑ Emtee talks about his single 'Roll up, 2015-04-22, retrieved 2016-01-18
- ↑ "Emtee is earning his stripes". The Citizen. Retrieved 2016-01-18.
- ↑ "Rolling with Emtee". DRUM. Retrieved 2016-01-18.
- ↑ "eMtee just keeps getting better". CityPress. Retrieved 2016-01-18.
- ↑ Emtee talks about his single 'Roll up, 2015-04-22, retrieved 2016-01-18
- ↑ "Emtee is earning his stripes". The Citizen. Retrieved 2016-01-18.
- ↑ "Rapper Emtee talks Roll Up, HHP controversial line". Sowetan LIVE. Retrieved 2016-01-18.
- ↑ "Roll Up's success wraps up blazing year for eMtee". Times LIVE. Retrieved 2016-01-18.
- ↑ "Emtee Finally Drops Debut Album | HYPE Magazine". www.hypemagazine.co.za. Retrieved 2016-01-18.
- ↑ "Avery by Emtee on iTunes". iTunes. Retrieved 2016-01-19.
- ↑ "eMTee releases his debut album 'AVERY' | YoMzansi | Have a Sip!". YoMzansi™ BLOG | HIGHEST GRADE SOURCE of SA Entertainment News. Retrieved 2016-01-21.
- ↑ SundayWorld. "15th Metro FM Music Awards nominees (Full list) - SundayWorld". www.sundayworld.co.za. Retrieved 2016-01-22.