TELLAMAN
Growing up in a talented musical environment with both parents being singers, South African singer-songwriter TELLAMAN—a nickname derivative of his real name Thelumusa Sameul Owen—was exposed to a wealth of different genres as a child, which played a huge role in his development as an artist.
A self-taught musician, TELLAMAN started dabbing in music at the age of 15 in his hometown of Durban, KwaZulu-Natal. Beat-making was his starting point, and in 2008, after writing and recording in his bedroom studio, he decided to pursue music as a career. As his confidence grew and his style developed, he soon began to showcase his talent at various venues across South Africa, playing at numerous gigs and festivals like Ugu Jazz Fest and Youth Hip-Hop Fest, and grew his following with his unique sound and unforgettable performances.
TELLAMAN was featured on the gold-selling Soul Candi Sessions 15 compilation with his single “Drinks And Music (feat. Okmalumkoolkat)” in October 2014, and soon became a household name. For this album, he was nominated for Best Dance Album at the MetroFM Music Awards, as well as the South African Music Awards (SAMAs). He was also nominated at both award ceremonies for Best Remix for Duncan’s song “Tsiki Tsiki (Remix) [feat. AKA, Mampintsha & Professor]” which he produced together with Lastee. He has also worked with many other artists and producers from around the world, including DJeff Afrozila (Angola), Pascal Morais (Netherlands), Rancido (Netherlands), Mindlo, Essential I, DJ Clock, Beast, Aby Fav, Zakwe, D-Malice (UK), Jonny Miller (UK), Mustafa (Brazil), Kwesta, DJ Speedsta, Shane Eagle, Young Swiss, Nasty C, Aewon Wolf and many more.
TELLAMAN began his solo career with the 2016 mixtape Mind Vs Heart and the 2018 EP Lucid Dream, which he followed up with his official debut, God Decides, in 2019, and a sophomore LP, Good Regardless, in 2022.
With his universal sound and relatable lyrics, TELLAMAN finds inspiration for his music in everything he is surrounded by and exposed to in his everyday life and experiences: “I believe that a person has to feel something or a certain way for them to react, change or build something, and I hope my music can be that thing in everyone’s lives.”