Kwaito artist Brickz
Brickz (born Sipho Ndlovu) is a popular South African Kwaito artist born in Zola, South Africa, who was discovered by the ever popular producer DJ Cleo. At one point the two were so close that Brickz named his son after the producer. (2)
Brickz began his professional career by singing in gospel choirs, before performing in his first group. This is where he received his nickname Half Brickz because he was the youngest person in the band. His debut album Face Brick is a Kwaito album with some ragga influence. The album is very closely based off of his own life. It is about his love life, township occurrences, and features a track about his late mother. (1)
He is signed to Ghetto Ruff Records, and has created his own label Brigado Records. He is considered among one of the "bad boys" of the Kwaito genre. He has been accused of doing drugs, and has been arrested numerous times. (4)
For his latest album Stop Nonsense Brickz has admitted to cleaning up his image. He claims that he is a role model and the new image communicates that to his fans. He has cleaned up his act and it shows in the way he portrays himself. Along with his new look, his lyrics have been cleaned up as well. (5)
Brickz was signed to a deal with DJ Cleo and his Will Street Productions. He is now a part of TS Records that is owned by another former Cleo protege. DJ Cleo once claimed that Brickz was on drugs while accepting an award for the Best Kwaito Album.
Brickz is considered an artist that could lead the charge in resurrecting the Kwaito genre. He has been nominated and has won numerous awards (3)
Some of his most famous songs include: Sweety My Baby, Left Right, Injabulo, and Tjovitjo
He also raped his 16 year old niece.
Discography[]
Solo Albums:
- Face Brick (2005)
- Es'tokfeleni (2007)
- Stop Nonsense (2008)
Soundtracks:
- Tsotsi (2006)
- Yizo Yizo III (2006)
Musical Awards (Nominations)[]
South African Music Awards
- Best Kwaito Album Face Brick (2005)
- Best Newcomer Face Brick (2005)
- Song of the Year Sweety My Baby
- Best Kwaito Album Es'tokfeleni (2008)
- Best Kwaito Album Stop Nonsense (2009)
Metro FM Awards
- Best Kwaito Album Es'tokfeleni (2007)
Musical Awards (Won)[]
South African Music Awards
- Best Kwaito Album Face Brick
- Best Newcomer
- Best Kwaito Album Es'tokfeleni
- Best Kwaito Album Stop Nonsense
Sources[]
2. http://www.newzimbabwe.com/pages/cleo6.18380.html
3. http://www.newzimbabwe.com/pages/review8.13906.html
4. Malatji, Ngwako. "Kwaito's Brickz gives his lady a beating". 30 Sept. 2008 http://kwaito.co.uk/fullarticle.asp?contentid=166
5. Madikwa, Zenoyise. "Prince of kwaito is back with a bang". 28 Nov. 2008
6. Brickz sentenced 15 years behind bars for raping his niece. 17 Oct 2017 https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPHX3_ttNM9rHBDtxLde6iw
http://www.sowetan.co.za/Entertainment/TimeOut/Article.aspx?id=893109