Sun-El Musician is a 35 year-old DJ, music producer, and songwriter born on March 28th, 1989 best known for releasing hits songs such as ‘Akanamali’ and ‘Bamthathile’. He is not married, and it’s unclear if he has a girlfriend.
Sun-El, whose real name is Sanele Sithole, dropped out of the university to focus on his music career. He subsequently honed his beat-making skills while working as in house producer for Demor Music (Pty) Ltd for five years. He dropped his debut single, ‘Akanamali’ in 2017 and it was certified platinum by RiSA. Since then, Sun-El Musician has released several commercially successful songs and albums.
Sun-El Musician’s Biography Summary
- Full name: Sanele Sithole
- Nickname: Sun-El Musician
- Gender: Male
- Date of birth: March 28th, 1989
- Sun-El Musician’s Age: 35 years old
- Ethnicity: Black
- Nationality: South African
- Zodiac Sign: Aries
- Sexual Orientation: Straight
- Religion: Christian
- Marital Status: Single
- Siblings: 4
- Sun-El Musician’s Net worth: $500,000
- Famous for: Releasing smash songs like ‘Akanamali’, ‘Bamthathile’, and ‘Ntab’Ezikude’
- Sun-El Musician’s Instagram: @sunelmusician
- Twitter: @sunelmusicianza
- Facebook: @Sun-ElMusician
What Is Sun-El Musician’s Age Today?
Sun-El Musician is 35 years old in 2024. He was born on March 28th, 1989, and Aries is his Zodiac sign. Though he began his music career in his teens, he became globally recognized in his late 20s as his debut single, ‘Akanamali’ peaked at No. 1 on Shazam.
Where is Sun-El Musician From?
Sun-El Musician was born in Mooi River in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. He was raised on the farms in Rosetta near Mooi River by his grandmother after his parents’ separation at a young age. Sanele grew up with his four siblings and sadly lost his parents in 2007.
Both his parents fell sick and died almost a month apart. His family was further hit by another tragedy in 2017, soon after the release of his debut single. The DJ lost his grandmother who nurtured him and his siblings. He was grateful that his gogo witnessed his career success before passing on.
When Did Sun-El Musician Start Making Music?
In 2007, Sun-El Musician dropped out of the University of KwaZulu-Natal to focus on making music. He got his flair for music from his dad who was an ardent music lover. In his childhood years, he heard his father play Kool & The Gang, The Commodores, TKZee, and then a bit of Kwaito. His sister also loved Kwaito music, whereas his grandmother played gospel hymns from Natal.
Consequently, his family’s flair for music ignited in him the passion to make his own sounds. After leaving the University of KwaZulu-Natal, the talented DJ went back to Mooi River, where he worked alongside his younger brother, Sandile, who loves hip-hop. He admitted that his brother has been quite instrumental in his career progression as he usually comes up with new sounds for him to implement in his music.
In 2009, Sanele Sithole started remixing songs and creating mix tapes. He eventually met Demor Skhosana, who advised him to move to Johannesburg. He signed Sun-El Musician to his record label, Demor Music, and made him an in-house music producer. He worked in the studio for five years, and during such time, he produced three albums for Demor and also traveled the world with Bucie as her DJ.
Additionally, Sun-El Musician produced three tracks in Bucie’s ‘Princess of House (Easy to Love)’ album. Later in 2015, he began working on his own music and then collaborated with his friend, Samthing Soweto to record ‘Akanamali’ in late 2016. He left Demor Music to establish his own record label named EL World Music the next year. He also released his debut single, ‘Akanamali’ featuring Samthing Soweto, in the same 2017.
Since recording the song in 2016, Sun-El Musician was reluctant to release it as he felt it wasn’t extra perfect. His brother, Sandile, however, nudged him to put it out for others to listen, and he heeded, and that marked the beginning of his meteoric rise to stardom. Not only was ‘Akanamali’ certified Platinum by the Recording Industry of South Africa (RiSA), but it reached No. 1 on Shazam. It also clinched him three awards at the South African Music Award in 2018, including the Highest Airplay Song Award.
Sun-El Musician’s Albums
Sun-El Musician has thus far released three albums, namely ‘Africa to the World’, ‘To the World & Beyond’, and ‘African Electronic Dance Music’. His debut album, ‘Africa to the World’ was Platinum certified and sold over 15,000 copies. The album also featured songs that were a critical success. While ‘Bamthathile’, ‘Sonini’, and ‘Ntab’Ezikude’ were double Platinum certified by RiSA, his collaborative single with Ami Faku titled, ‘Into Ingawe’ attained 3x Platinum certification from RiSA.
Additionally, the album was included in Apple Music’s Top 200 Electronic Albums Worldwide. Later, in December 2020, Sun-El Musician dropped his sophomore album titled, ‘To the World & Beyond’, and it was certified Platinum. The album featured top singers and producers such as Black Motion, Ami Faku, Dafro, Kwesta, and MissP. It also produced hits like ‘Ubom Abumanga’, ‘Uhuru’, and ‘Mandiyane’.
Sithole’s third album, ‘African Electronic Dance Music’ was released in October 2021. He further announced an upcoming project titled ‘African Electronic Dance Music: Interstellar’ in 2022 and said it was set to be released in 2023. He, however, dropped two singles titled, ‘Rata’ and ‘Makwande’ from the upcoming EP in December 2022.
Recap of Sun-El Musician’s Albums
- Africa to the World (2018)
- To the World & Beyond (2020)
- African Electronic Dance Music (2021)
- AEDM: Interstellar EP (2022)
List of Sun-El Musician’s Songs
- Akanamali feat. Samthing Soweto
- Into Ingawe feat. Ami Faku
- Uhuru feat. Azana
- Bamthathile feat. Mlindo The Vocalist
- Rata feat. TNS & Skillz
- Makwande feat. Fka Mash and Ami Faku
- African Electronic Dance Music 003 Mix
- That Way feat. Simmy
- Respond feat Mici
- Vulindela feat. Nobuhle
- Appreciation Mix feat. Ami Faku, Simmy & Msaki
- Ilanga feat. Ami Faku & Simmy
- Ubomi Abumanga feat. Msaki
- Without You feat. Black Motion & MissP
- Amasosha feat. Sino Msolo & Mthunzi
- Ngiwele feat. Afriikan Papi & Just Bheki
- Ithemba feat. Vernotile
- Mngani Wami feat. Lali Boi
- Love Is Blind feat Dafro & Simmy
- Opelenge feat. Niniola
- Fly Again feat. Kwesta
Sun-El Musician’s Record Label
Sun-El Musician launched his record label, EL World Music in early 2017. Over the years, he has released his music through his label. He also signed up-and-coming artists to the record label, including:
- S-Tone
- Simmy
- Sino Msolo
- Mthunzi
- Claudio X Kenza
Amazingly, the 35-year-old has been featuring his artists in his music projects, which has helped to propel their careers to the next level. A talented music producer, Sithole has worked with A-list music artists in the local and international scenes, including DJ Black Coffee, Swizz Beatz, and his wife, Alicia Keys.
Does Sun-El Musician Have a Wife or Girlfriend?
Sun El-Musician is not married yet, and it’s uncertain if he has a girlfriend. Nevertheless, the award-winning DJ has been romantically linked to his record label signee, Simmy, whose real name is Simphiwe Nhlangulela, but the two have denied being a couple. Sanele Sithole met Simmy through his younger brother, who attended the same university as her.
Since signing her to his record label, the two have appeared to be very close, and Sun-El Musician has also made Simmy the face of his music as he has no interest in being in the spotlight. Thus sparking a dating rumor. However, they have maintained that they only have a working relationship.
