Thelumusa Samuel Owen (born 12 April 1991), better known by his stage name Tellaman is a South African singer, songwriter and record producer. Growing up in a musical background, he is most known for a number one charting single by DJ Speedsta titled "Mayo" which features himself, Yung Swiss, Frank Casino & Shane Eagle.
Early life and career Tellaman was born and raised in Durban Kwazulu Natal, South Africa. He is a self-taught musician whose interest in music was sparked by his mother, who had him singing at home, at church and in a youth choir. At the age of fifteen he decided to pursue music as a career and began writing and recording his own music.
Tellaman was signed and featured in Soul Candi Record's compilation album titled Soul Candi Sessions 15, alongside MoFlava, Lulo Café, Cueber and Hareal Salko. Tellaman's disc, titled Ntsikelelo, included hit singles "Drinks and Music" featuring Okmalumkoolkat and "Intoxicated" featuring Lastee. The album sales passed Gold status and it was nominated for the Best Compilation Award at the 2015 Metro FM Awards. In June 2016 his EP Mind Vs Heart was released, followed by another EP titled Lucid Dreams which was released in February 2017. On 18 May 2018, he signed a record deal with Universal Music South Africa, and released "No Sharing", on 13 July 2018, as his first official single under Universal Music South Africa.
On 1 February 2019, Tellaman released his fourth album God Decides, through Universal Music South Africa. Lead singles from the album, include: "No Sharing", "Crew Lit", and "Practice". On 29 November 2019, Tellman signed an international deal with Motown Records and Virgin EMI Records. In May 2020, he signed a record deal with Def Jam Recordings Africa.
Discography Albums Album titleAlbum detailsSoul Candi Sessions 15 Released: 2 December 2014 Label: Soul Candi Records Formats: Digital download, CDMind vs Heart Released: 10 June 2016 Label: Select Play Music Formats: Digital download Lucid Dream Released: 3 February 2017 Label: Tellaman Music Format: Digital DownloadGod Decides Released: 1 February 2019 Label: Universal Music Group Format: Digital Download, CD
Singles
As lead artist
List of singles as lead artist, with selected chart positions and certifications, showing yearreleased and album name
TitleYearPeak Chart PositionsCertificationsAlbumSouth Africa (EMA)Drinks & Music (feat. Okmalukoolkat)2014 – –Soul Candi Sessions 15Intoxicated (feat. Lastee)2015 – –Soul Candi Sessions 15Noma Kanjan' (feat. Nasty C) 2015 – –Non-Album SingleWena (feat. J. Something)2017 – –Lucid DreamI'm Gone (feat. Nasty C)2017 – –Lucid DreamS.A.P (feat. Nasty C & Da L.E.S)201729 –Lucid DreamWhipped (feat. Shekinah & Nasty C)20191 5× PlatinumGod DecidesCross My Heart (feat. Alpha P)2020 – –Non-Album Single
As featured artist
+ List of singles as featured artist, with selected chart positions and certifications, showing year released and album name Artist Title Year Peak chart positions Certifications Album SA Kwesta "Act Like" (featuring. Tellaman)2016 — DaKAR II DJ Speedsta "Mayo" (featuring. Yung Swiss, Tellaman, Shane Eagle & Frank Casino) 1Non-album single8× Platinum Nasty C "Don't Do It" (featuring. Tellaman) — Bad Hair Extensions Nasty C "Dance" (featuring. Tellaman) 2017 — Non-album single DJ Killamo "On Some" (featuring. Tellaman, Lastee & Rowlene) —
Awards and nominations YearAward CeremonyPrizeWork/ReceiptientResult2013South African Music AwardsRemix of the YearSelect Play 2020Best R&B/Soul Album God Decides
References
External links Tellaman on Twitter