Two times a charm: Mpumi Dhlamini's album submitted for Grammy nod

Mpumi Dhlamini had the worst year of his life in 2024 — and he’s hoping to change his luck with a Grammy nomination.

The jazz musician had to learn to walk and talk again after contracting Bell’s palsy, and he then lost his father. After taking time out to heal, Dhlamini made his Nebula Nomad album in just a week and released it last December. 

Tshwane University of Technology professor and saxophonist Karendra Devroop, who is a member of the Grammy Recording Academy, nominated him in the Best Alternative Jazz Album category.

“I don’t want to do the ‘best African’ type of categories, I want to dominate with the best of them,” Dhlamini told the Sunday Times.

“We know we are African. Winning this Grammy would not just be a personal achievement — it would signify that African music has a place on the global stage. It’s about breaking barriers.”

This isn’t the first time he’s flirted with the idea of winning the accolade. Last year, American musician Joseph Arthur approached him to put his music up for consideration, but then he fell ill with mumps and was diagnosed with Bell’s palsy, a condition causing weakness or paralysis.

“These are the challenges I faced. I had to teach myself how to walk again, and I did it on my own. When everything was restored and I could walk again, I lost my dad a few months later. Three weeks later, I had to headline the Joy of Jazz festival.

“That builds up to having enough confidence to take this gamble and go for the Grammys. It is because I nearly died. I went through a lot. I couldn’t hear anything. I had to centre myself, figure myself out and start new hobbies, which was part of my mental health. I was at the precipice of not hearing any more. The majority of my senses were gone. I couldn’t walk, I couldn’t talk.

“That moment in my life helped me a lot. It improved my playing in the weirdest of ways. It triggered something.

When he [Devroop] approached me, I pretty much had no choice, so I decided to go ahead and do it. This project makes far more sense to be considered for the Grammy because I feel likeit’s a project that explains me the most, which had me fall in love with my music again.

“When he [Devroop] approached me, I pretty much had no choice, so I decided to go ahead and do it. This project makes far more sense to be considered for the Grammy because I feel it’s a project that explains me the most, which had me fall in love with my music again.”

With a career spanning nearly two decades, Dhlamini plays 16 instruments and is an award-winning producer, composer and music director. He has produced projects for artists including Kabomo, Zamajobe, Tsepo Tshola and Lira, who is his cousin.

His music has featured on seasons 3 and 4 of SABC1’s uBettina Wethu, Sesame Street and Spongebob SquarePants: isiZulu.

Dhlamini’s focus on film was prompted by the uncertainty that comes with being a performance artist. Over the past six years he has performed only twice a year while focusing on film.

“I was taken advantage of as a young musician,” he said. “I think it was because I started too early. You’d perform and have to chase your payment after that. I didn’t enjoy that. The biggest issue was my being a solo artist at a young age and being a freelance musician for a low rate. I was anti-performance.

“I’m not credited for some songs I have been a part of. There are songs that have won awards that I have never been paid for. I feel like I’m owed millions by artists I’ve produced for, but I won’t mention their names because I don’t want to start drama. There’s stuff like that which makes everyone suffer.”

Now Dhlamini has found his balance.

While he’s on a mission to cement his name as one of the most influential contemporary voices on the global music scene, his latest album has already earned him the 2025 National Arts Council of South Africa award for outstanding musician. And he’s gearing up to release another album this year.

“I do everything myself, not because I don’t trust anyone else, but because I’m just more efficient in doing what I do,” he said.

Devroop told the Sunday Times he had submitted the album to the Grammy Awards for consideration because Dhlamini “put together a superb album that is both reflective of our culture and artistically superb”.

“His music is certainly pushing the boundaries of music emanating from this part of the world, and I felt his album deserves wider recognition internationally. I am hoping he will do well with the Grammys.”