Nndivhuwo Elaine Mukheli, monomously pronounced in the South African music industry as Elaine, is an appealing singer and songwriter ferrying her music to the world in the genres of R&B, and Neo- Soul with amazingly crafted dictions to connect to the world under the label, Columbia records in December, 2020.
Early Life and Career
Born on April 2, 1999, in Pretoria, South Africa, she took to singing at a very early age, age 6. Due to her intense adoration for music, she decided to stay focused in order to become “the current her”; the music star she had always dreamt of becoming. She engaged in music by participating in talent shows and joining her school choir.
She studied law at University of Witwatersrand and released her debut EP “Elements” on music platforms.
Musical Career
Elaine uploaded her debut Ep soundtrack, “Slip Away“, on SoundCloud before releasing it officially in April 2019. Elaine was part of the first to be part of Spotifys Radar artist program alongside Taiylor Manson. The seven track EP was a success and produced by “Clxrity” alongside Elizee from South African Hip Hop duo “Elizee and Malachi” and was described as a blend of trap soul and R&B.
Discography
Extended Plays
Elements
Singles
- Slip Away
- I Just Wanna Know
- Say It
- When We’re Alone
- I/You
- Changes
- You’re The One
- Risky
- Right Now
- Fading Away
- Deja Vu
- Shine
- Loving You
Musical Style and Influences
Elaine’s musical style as respects genre is described as a unique blend of trap soul (combination of trap and soul music), R&B(Alternative and contemporary), as well as neosoul. Citing Beyoncé and Lauryn Hill as her biggest inspirations. Her musical style is compared to
Awards and Nominations
In 2017, she received a gold medal, as a reward for her excellent music prowess, at the 8th World Choir Games in Riga, Latvia.
In 2019, she was the first independent female artist to reach no.1 on the country’s iTunes and Apple Music’s charts. She was deemed Apple Music’s New Artist Spotlight after Elements reached no.1 on the album chart in South Africa.
Elaine is hailed as one of South Africa’s musical icons and one of the fastest rising star in the South African music history.
written by Ruth Ama Onumah
