Sanelisiwe Twisha (born
c.6 January 1985), known professionally as Moonchild Sanelly[2] is a South African musician and dancer. She is known for her signature blue-coloured hair and her self-created music genre called "Future ghetto funk".[3] Originally from
Port Elizabeth, the singer first came into limelight in the
Durban poetry and music scene before relocating to
Johannesburg, where she has continued her musical career.
Moonchild Sanelly was born in
Port Elizabeth, South Africa. She was born into a musical family, with her brother being a
hip hop producer, her mother a jazz singer, and her cousins
kwaito dancers.[7]
She moved to
Durban in 2005 to study fashion at the Linea Fashion Design Academy and stayed there for six years.[8]
Career
In 2006, Sanelly started performing in shows at
Durban University of Technology with a key focus in poetry and hip hop, although she did not actually call herself a poet for a long time until she noticed people's reactions. She featured regularly on a weekend show on Gagasi FM, called Poetry with King Siso.[9] In mid 2020, she signed a record deal with Transgressive Records.[10] In March 2015, she released her studio album Rabulapha! with Transgressive Records.[11]Rabulapha! earned her a nomination at the
22nd Annual South African Music Awards for Best Alternative Album. Red Bull discovered her music through an
EP she was featured on with DJ Shimza, which was eventually a part of the Soul Candi album.[8] In 2019, Sanelly was featured on
Beyoncé's
The Lion King: The Gift album in the song "My Power" along with
Busiswa and Nija. Towards the end of 2019, she dropped her 4 tracks mini album project titled Nude EP.[12] She made a notable contribution on Our Culture, first track off Zingah's 2020 album.[13]
On 29 June 2021, her single "Yebo Teacher" was released.[17]
She was scheduled to host the TV show Madness Method on BET.[18]
She made an announcement on
Twitter of her feature on the
FIFA 2022 soundtrack.[19]
On 1 October 2021, she announced her single "Demon" with Sadnightdynamite.[20] The song was released on 4 October 2021, with accompanying music video.[21]
In February 2022, Sanelly began her career in adult entertainment.[22]
In late March 2022, she announced her second studio album Phases, which was scheduled to be released on June 10.[23]
In May 2022, her single "Cute", featuring British rapper
Trillary Banks, was released.[24]
Her second studio album Phases was released on 10 June 2022.[25]
Artistry
Her music fuses elements of experimental electronic, afro-punk and edgy-pop with hints of her strong kwaito, hip hop and jazz background.[9]
Public image
Moonchild Sanelly is seen as a sex figure and has never been scared to flaunt her body or speak about sex. She gives out sex advice on Valentine's Day through her social media accounts.[26] In an interview with Basha Uhuru, she called herself "the president of female orgasm".[27]
Business ventures
Moonchild Sanelly has her on own clothing label called Moonchild Cultwear.[28] She owns a Naked Club[clarification needed] and has made it clear that it is not a brothel.[29][30]
Personal life
Sanelly is a mother to three daughters. She was a victim of rape twice in her life, with one having been committed by her uncle.[31]
^Moshoeshoe, Nkamoheleng (14 June 2022).
"Moonchild Sanelly becomes herself in multitudes, Phases album release". bubblegumclub.co.za. Bubblegum Club. Retrieved 10 August 2022. She flows between various — even seemingly contrasting — musical genres like R&B, Pop, Amapiano, Grime, Gqom and House