Benny Mayengani

  • Tsonga Music
  • Disco
Occupation(s)Singer and a politicianInstrument(s)VocalsYears active2011–presentLabels
  • Gallo Records
  • Bula Music
Musical artist

Bennet Skheto Baloyi (born 11 January 1979) known by his stage name President Benny Mayengani is a South African Xitsonga singer. He rose to fame following the release of his debut studio album Tiba Ben in 2011.

Music career

Benny Mayengani is known for his collaboration with Mr Jambatani, Prince Rhangani, Joe Shirimani na Vana va Ndoda under Limpopo Poison. He released his debut studio album Tiba Ben in 2011 which gained him prominent notability in the Xitsonga music industry. On 28 September 2013 during Xitsonga Music Awards, Benny Mayengani scored three nominations in these categories; Best Xitsonga Male Artist, Best Xitsonga Popular Song of the year and Best Xitsonga Album of the year.[1]

His 10th studio album Ni Happy which was released in 2019 was nominated at the Limpopo Music Awards for Best Male Artist.[2] Benny Mayengani released "Malambani" on the 27 November 2020 which topped the iTunes Charts for four days in a row.

Politics

Benny Mayengani apart from his musical career he became the first Tsonga musician to be an official of the Johannesburg Chamber as PR Councilor of City of Johannesburg accounted by Economic Freedom Fighters in 2016.[3] On 7 October 2019 Benny Mayengani quit as the PR Councilor of EFF.[4][5] In February 2020 Limpopo Chairperson Stanley Mathabatha of African National Congress , officially welcomed Benny Mayengani to the ANC. In June 2023, he opened his own Political Party AADP (Action Alliance Development Party).| url=https://www.aadp.org.za/

Lawsuits and civil disputes

"Fill Up" trademark

Benny Mayengani was looking forward to host music concert, #FillUpGiyaniStadium in 2018. He used a similar affix ("Fill Up"/"#FillUp") as South African rapper Cassper Nyovest, which resulted in accusation made by Cassper Nyovest that Benny Mayengani used his trademark by sending Benny Mayengani a cease and desist letter.[6] Investigation revealed that Cassper Nyovest did not own the #FillUp trademark and can not take any action against Benny Mayengani.[7]

Discography

  • Tiba Ben – 2011
  • President Mayengani – 2012
  • Ntombhi yaku xonga – 2013
  • December Revolution – 2014
  • Nkondo wa Tuva – 2015
  • Vayuda – 2014
  • Nkelunkelu – 2015
  • Vitanani Fire Brigade – 2016
  • Tintoma – 2018
  • Ni Happy – 2019
  • Volume – 2019
  • Malambani - 2020
  • Tiko Raka Hina - 2021
  • Jeso - 2022
  • Vamatiko - 2022
  • Vana va nhova - 2023

Awards and nominations

Xitsonga Music Awards

Year Nominee / work Award Result
XMA10 2012 Benny Mayengani Best Xitsonga Polpular Song of the year Won
XMA13 2015 Nghoma (w/ Limpopo Roots) Best Xitsonga House Song Nominated[8]
Benny Mayengani Best Xitsonga Duo/Group
Kecekece (w/ Kenny Bevhula, Percy Mfana, Prince Rhangani & Sunglen) Best Xitsonga Collaboration Won[9]
Benny Mayengani Best Male Artist Nominated
Nkondo wa tuva Most Popular Song

Limpopo Music Awards

Year Nominee / work Award Result
LIMA 2019 Benny Mayegani INDUSTRY CONTRIBUTOR “FILL UP GIYANI STADIUM” Won[10]
Himself Best Male Artist Nominated[11][12]

References

  1. ^ "Xitsonga Music Awards Nominees". Radiobiz. Archived from the original on 3 January 2021. Retrieved 29 March 2020.
  2. ^ "BEST MALE ARTIST". Eyewitness News. Retrieved 29 March 2020.
  3. ^ Fana, ThePurp (29 August 2016). "The President of Tsonga music becomes PR Councilor for EFF in the City of Johannesburg". VIV Lifestyle Magazine. Retrieved 29 March 2020.
  4. ^ Malatji, Ngwako (7 October 2019). "Irate musician quits as EFF councillor". Sunday World. Retrieved 29 March 2020.
  5. ^ Cilliers, Charles (6 October 2019). "Benny Mayengani quits EFF position because of Ringo Madlingozi". Citizen. Retrieved 29 March 2020.
  6. ^ "Nyovest and the #Fillup Trademark Saga: Can Artists Trademark Event Names?". EWN.
  7. ^ "Revealed: Cassper doesn't own the #FillUp trademark and can't take action". TimesLive.
  8. ^ "The Munghana Lonene fm Xitsonga Music Awards are here" (News). Munghana Lonene fm. Polokwane, Limpopo Province: SABC. 30 October 2015. Retrieved 9 August 2020.
  9. ^ "XMA13 Awards winners" (Multimedia). Munghana Lonene FM. Giyani Stadium: SABC. 11 November 2015. Retrieved 8 August 2020.
  10. ^ "LIMA 19 Winers". Retrieved 6 August 2020.
  11. ^ Shumba, Ano (28 August 2019). "Limpopo Music Awards 2019: All the nominees". Africa Music. Retrieved 6 August 2020.
  12. ^ "4 nominations for Sho Madjozi, Candy Tsamandebele for Limpopo Music Awards". Eyewitness News. Retrieved 6 August 2020.