South African singer Elaine, also known as Ndivhuwo Elaine Mukheli, burst onto the music scene with her powerful voice and impressive songwriting skills. Her hit songs “You’re The One” and “Risky” quickly climbed the charts, and many believed that she was destined for stardom.
However, things have taken a quiet turn for Elaine, especially after being compared to Tyla, a local-born international star. Some even claim that Elaine is down and out after watching a video of her recent performance.
When Elaine first emerged, there were high hopes for her success in South Africa’s music industry. Her song “You’re The One” dominated the charts for weeks, and her unique sound garnered a large following. At just 21 years old, she became Apple’s most-streamed female artist in 2020 and was crowned the Top Mzansi Female Album of 2020 on the streaming service.
Despite these early achievements, Elaine’s career seems to have hit a roadblock. A recent video captured her performing for a small crowd at an unknown event, leaving many fans feeling disappointed.
It’s a good question to ask herself. “Hwetsalang Elaine? Hwiralang Elaine?”
— Aus Keke (@Aus_Keke) March 6, 2024
In the comment section of the video, sadness and concern for Elaine’s apparent struggles were expressed. Some drew parallels to Zonke, who faced skepticism about her music’s marketability. One comment read, “This just reminded me of what they tried to do with Zonke, telling her that the type of music she’s trying to make won’t sell. Being an artist here is hard…”
Another comment highlighted the challenges faced by South African artists in achieving global success, stating, “The Nigerians can take their folks to global stardom, but as for us, it’s a disaster. Shekhinah would be a global star by now. Once you leave for the West, Mzansi stops supporting you like when you were here, and if you fail and return, they’ll laugh at you!”
Many are left wondering how Elaine’s career took a downturn so quickly. Did South Africans stop playing her hit song “You’re The One”? The disappointment in her recent performance has sparked conversations about the fickle nature of the music industry.
