Big Nuz is a South African Kwaito Group which originates from Umlazi township in the south of the city of Durban and named after the car registration of that township, NUZ (Natal Umlazi), which is a prefix for all cars registered there.
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| Origin | Umlazi, Durban |
| KwaZulu-Natal | |
| South Africa | |
| Members |
Mandla Maphumulo |
| Mzi Tshomela | |
| Sbu Khomo † |
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| Genre | Kwaito |
| Since | 2002 – to date |
| Label | Afrotainment |
| Associated Acts | DJ Tira, L’vovo |
| Professor Langa | |
| Durban’s Finest | |
| DJ Cndo, DJ Sox | |
| DJ Bongs, Tzozo | |
| Agent | Unknown |
| Website | Unknown |
Big Nuz is a Kwaito group formed in Umlazi in the south of the city of Durban in the KwaZulu-Natal province of South Africa in 2002.
The group was formed by its current members; Mandla Maphumulo (Mampintsha), Mzi Tshomela (Danger) and Sbu Khomo (R Mashesha† ).
In 2002 at the formation of Big Nuz the trio [ Mandla Maphumulo (Mampintsha), Mzi Tshomela (Danger) and Sbu Khomo† (R Mashesha)] relocated to Johannesburg in the Gauteng province of South Africa.
At the time the city of Johannesburg was still very much a place to be if you wanted a career in the entertainment industry.
They went Johannesburg in pursuit of a recording deal and they were given one by famed record company Gallo Records which is home to Ladysmith Black Mambazo.
Big Nuz’s time at the legendary Gallo Records stable culminated in a commercially dismal debut album titled “Zozo”.
During their time in Johannesburg Big Nuz music with Koloi Lebone and Beatmaker in 2003, however, it is understood that songs recorded during that period were never made available for public consumption.
At the height of the performing arts oriented e.tv soap opera, Backstage, Big Nuz was among the artists and groups who made cameo appearances and they also performed on that show.
In 2006 Big Nuz worked with Ishmael Morabe, a prominent and mainstay South African musician of Jozi fame, on his album in a song titled “Boom”
In that same year Big Nuz signed with the legendary record company, Gallo Record Company, which is best known for being home to some of South Africa’s prominent musicians and groups including Hugh Masekela, Juluka, Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Letta Mbulu, Lucky Dube †, Mahlathini and the Mahotella Queens, Miriam Makeba †, Spokes Mashiyane and Yvonne Chaka Chaka among many others.
While signed with Gallo Record Company Big Nuz reportedly recorded their debut studio album titled “Zozo” which was a commercial failure upon release, however, the failure of this album did not stifle their progress instead it piqued the interest of Durban based DJ Tira who invited them back to their home town.
Return to Durban and Success, 2007 – to date
In 2007 Big Nuz was invited by DJ Tira of Durban’s Finest fame to return to the city of Durban in the KwaZulu-Natal province of South Africa where he is based.
They obliged and return to the city of Durban where DJ Tira signed them under his record label Afrotainment and as of 2015 the remain signed under the same label.
Their first recording under Afrotainment was “Uyoysholo Wena” which was feature on the Durban’s Finest third offering, Durban’s Finest Volume 3; the song was a critical success and enjoyed enormous airplay.
In 2007 they released their second studio album. the first under Afrotainment, titled “2nd Round Knockout”; the album was a critical and commercial success perhaps also brought them wide reaching popularity.
The album, 2nd Round Knockout, also racked up numerous accolades in its wake including the award for Best Kwaito Album at the 2008 Metro FM Music Awards.
In 2009 Big Nuz released their third studio album titled “Undisputed” and it surpassed all their previous work, in particular the album’s lead track, “Umlilo”, which remains one on the most memorable songs in recent years in South Africa.
In 2010 at the 16th Annual South African Music Awards the album, “Undisputed”, secured Big Nuz three awards; Kwaito Album of the Year, Album of the Year and the coveted Record of the Year for their hit song “Umlilo”.
In 2011 they released their fourth studio album titled “Pound for Pound” which featured hit songs such as “Sting Ray”, “Serious” and “Ntombenhle”.
In 2012 the album, “Pound for Pound” earned them a Best Kwaito Album SAMA Award at the 18 Annual South African Music Awards.
In 2014 Big Nuz release the fifth studio album, “Made in Africa”, which was the fourth with Afrotainment; the album boasted hit songs such as “Hawaii” and “Inazo” as well as ‘Incwadi Yothando” which featured Khaya Mthethwa.
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| Year | Title | Label | Notes |
| 2006 | Zozo | Gallo Record Company | Debut Studio Album |
| 2007 | 2nd Round Knockout | Afrotainment | Second Studio Album |
| 2009 | Undisputed | Afrotainment | Third Studio Album |
| 2011 | Pound for Pound | Afrotainment | Fourth Studio Album |
| 2014 | Made in Africa | Afrotainment | Fifth Studio Album |
Members
Big Nuz was made of of three members Mandla Maphumulo (Mampintsha), Mzi Tshomela (Danger) and Sbu Khomo† (R Mashesha) who passed away on August 07, 2015.
Touring
It has been reported that during the group’s early days L’vovo Derrango would stand-in for Mampintsha on tours all over the continent as he was afraid of flying. Supposedly the audience never suspected that it was a different artist.
