Boohle

Buhlebevangeli Hlengiwe Manyathi, known professionally as Boohle, is a South African singer-songwriter from Gugulethu, Cape Town. Born on February 20, 1999, she has become one of the most prominent female voices in amapiano and Afro-house, with a style that blends soulful gospel warmth with contemporary electronic production. Her breakout hits include "Yini Na," "Mama," "Siyathandana," and "Hamba Wena," and she has collaborated with leading producers such as Kabza De Small and DJ Maphorisa. As of 2026, Boohle commands roughly 1.5 million monthly listeners on Spotify, and her 2025 single "Shela" with Sam Deep, Nia Pearl, and Mano became a Southern African megahit, earning four Metro FM Music Awards nominations. She is also a multi-platinum selling artist, a title she claims in her official bio, and she continues to tour and release music while raising her young son. [edit]

Boohle grew up in Gugulethu, a township in Cape Town with a deep musical heritage. Her earliest musical experiences came from singing in church, where she developed the warm, gospel-inflected vocal style that would later define her recordings. In 2016, as a teenager, she recorded her first house song, marking her formal entry into the industry. Those early years were spent honing her craft within the Cape Town music scene, performing at local events and collaborating with emerging producers. Her breakthrough came gradually, as her soulful hooks on amapiano tracks began to attract attention in the late 2010s. By 2020, she was a regular presence on South African charts, setting the stage for her debut EP in 2021. [edit]

Boohle's debut EP, iKhehla, arrived in 2021 and introduced her to a wider audience. The single "Siyathandana" went viral, racking up millions of streams and establishing her as a crossover star. In 2022, she released "Hamba Wena" with Mfr Souls and "Ngixolele" with Busta 929, both of which expanded her reach. Her third studio album, Umhlobo, came out in June 2024, and she described it as symbolizing "strength, appreciation and love." In 2025, she was named among the best female amapiano artists by OkayAfrica and debuted a reality TV show with Bontle Smith. The track "Shela," released with Sam Deep, Nia Pearl, and Mano in late 2025, became her biggest commercial success, with the music video drawing over 34 million views on YouTube. In 2026, she celebrated a decade in music and received four Metro FM Music Awards nominations for the song. [edit]

Boohle's public image is defined by her soulful voice and the spiritual warmth she brings to amapiano. She is often grouped with contemporaries like Kamo Mphela and Bontle Smith as one of the leading female voices in the genre. Her live performances are noted for their emotional intensity, sometimes incorporating gospel choirs. On social media, she projects self-assurance and independence, and her fanbase is substantial, as evidenced by her Spotify listener count and the enthusiastic response to "Shela" at live shows. [edit]

Boohle's fanbase is a devoted, digitally native community that has grown organically around her soulful amapiano and Afro-house sound. While there is no formal fandom name, fans simply call themselves Boohle's supporters, their collective power was on full display when her 2025 single "Shela" was named South Africa's December Anthem by Apple Music, a designation that reflects both the song's cultural dominance and the sustained streaming support of listeners during the holiday season. The track became a communal soundtrack, with fans treating it as "our song now," as Boohle herself noted, and its success was amplified by a highly anticipated music video and a wave of remixes and bootlegs. This organic, passionate engagement, rather than organized campaigns, defines her fanbase's influence.

According to iFANN's Global Fame Engine, as of August 2026, Boohle has been evaluated but does not currently hold a placement in the published rankings (Global Top 1,000 or a Top-100 scope list). This means that while her fame is substantial, evidenced by millions of streams and a multi-platinum, award-winning career, she has not yet cracked the official iFANN charts. Still, her cultural footprint is undeniable, with her music reaching audiences across Southern Africa and beyond, and her presence on social media and streaming platforms continues to grow.[edit]

Boohle's real name, Buhlebevangeli, incorporates the root "vangeli," which relates to the gospel, reflecting her deep church roots. She started recording in 2016, meaning by 2026 she had spent a full decade in the industry. Her music blends amapiano, Afro-house, Afro-soul, and gospel, a fusion that sets her apart. She has released over 30 singles and appeared on numerous compilation albums. Her Instagram tagline reads "Don't mind everyone else, just do your thing!" and she is associated with DJ Tira's studio camp alongside artists like Young Stunna.

One of the most iconic moments in her career is the "Shela" phenomenon of 2025–2026. The song, a collaboration with Sam Deep, Nia Pearl, and Mano, became a cultural event, officially named South Africa's December Anthem by Apple Music. Fans adopted it as their own, and its music video, released in December 2025, was long anticipated. The track's popularity spawned multiple remixes, including a "3 Step Bootleg" and a "Soul Prince Afro House Remix," cementing its place in the country's musical lore.

Another defining narrative is her decade-long journey from recording her first house song in 2016 to becoming a multi-platinum-selling, award-winning musician. She has spoken about how female vocalists "went from zero to heroes," and she describes music as "a calling." These themes of growth and spiritual connection resonate deeply with her fans.[edit]

Boohle is a mother to a son named Sbusiso, whom she introduced to the public through her reality TV show in 2025. She has spoken about the joy of sharing that aspect of her life with fans. Details about her parents and siblings have not been made public, and she keeps her family life largely private. She grew up in Gugulethu, where her early exposure to church music shaped her artistic path. [edit]

Boohle has collaborated with a range of artists and producers. She worked with Mfr Souls on "Hamba Wena" and Busta 929 on "Ngixolele." Her biggest hit, "Shela," was made with Sam Deep, Nia Pearl, and Mano. She is also associated with DJ Tira's studio camp, which includes Young Stunna, and she appeared in a reality TV show with Bontle Smith. [edit]

Boohle has kept her romantic life largely out of the public eye. As of 2026, she is single, with no confirmed partner. She has never been publicly married, and no long-term relationships have been documented. She is a mother to a son named Sbusiso, but the identity of his father has not been disclosed. Her reality TV show focused on her role as a mother and her music career rather than romantic partnerships. [edit]

As of 2026, iFANN's editorial research estimates Boohle's net worth at $2 million. Her income stems primarily from music sales, streaming royalties, and live performances. She has over 1.5 million monthly listeners on Spotify, and her single "Shela" has amassed tens of millions of views on YouTube, generating significant streaming revenue. She also earns from television appearances, including her reality show, and brand endorsements, such as her partnership with HONOR smartphones. Her management handles bookings through [email protected], and she continues to tour across Southern Africa, including a performance in Eswatini in 2026.[edit]

Boohle has achieved multi-platinum selling status and has been recognized as one of the leading female amapiano artists in South Africa. While specific award wins are not documented in available sources, her commercial success and industry recognition are evident through her nominations and chart performance. [edit]