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Illa PenBoy real name Sifiso Ndlangamandla is a well-known hip hop artist born August 2, 1990 in Hlathikhulu, eMpatheni. Where he grew up and attended school at Ebenezer School. He dropped out of college to pursue his music career.

Illa PenBoy’s Family & Upbringing

Illa PenBoy comes from a fair and large, loving, caring close-knit family. Unfortunately, his dad passed on but still has his mother whom he loves dearly.

Early Years in Music

As a young man who was passionate and hungry for success. He moved from home to the city (Manzini) to try and build his music career. After recording his first song, he knocked on every producer’s door hoping for his breakthrough but got rejected.

Music Career

In 2012, he formed a group with Mpendulo Gamedze & Msizi called The Last Page popularly known as TLP. The group released an album called ‘Just In Time’ which won The Best New Comer at the Tihlabani Awards.

He went solo and launched his maiden album ‘Ekse Ntwanakonakele’ at The Gallery. In 2015, he was nominated in the SPTC Popular Artist of the Year category at the National Arts and Culture Awards (NACA).

Illa Penboy’s Songs

1. Gcobagcoba
2. Phola Mshana
3. Tjwala bami
4. Cheese Over Bontjies
5. Ngiyekeleni Ngizobe
6. ‘Connie and Shona

Nominations

Social Media Awards Nominee – Philanthropist of The Year, 2020

MTN SWAMA Nominee – Song of The Year, 2019

MTN SWAMA Nominee – Best Hip Hop Artist, 2019

MTN SWAMA Nominee – Artist of The Year. 2018

NACA Nominee – Popular Artist of The Year, 2015

Achievements

He has hosted a number of entertainment events: such as Fill Up Mavuso (2016) and Gcwalisa Mogambo (2017, and 2018). In 2019, he hosted an event themed Amapiano Cooler Box Party, an event that attracted over 3,500 people in attendance.

Illa PenBoy is serving as an MTN Eswatini Brand Ambassador, he has been participating in their brand influencer activities. Thus far, he is the first Swazi artist to reach over 200,000 followers online. As an artist, he has recorded and promoted most talked about songs such as Cheese Over Bontjis; Phola Mshana; Connie & Shona and Ngiyekeleni Ngizobe, just to name a few.

During the on-going Covid-19 pandemic, he launched a Donate Bread Campaign The campaign started with donations of loaves of bread to National Care Points, benefiting children from different communities. The donations are mobilized from members of the public, corporate companies and organizations through awareness raised on social media. The campaign has grown to an extent of identifying needy families who need assistance with proper shelter, clothing and food.