HLE (singer)

HLE
Born
Hlengiwe Ntombela

(1991-04-12) 12 April 1991
Kwaggafontein, South Africa
Genres
Occupations
  • Worship Leader
  • Musician
  • Musical director
  • Songwriter
  • Show Host
Labels
  • YKOE
  • The T Effect
  • Motown
Websitehttp://www.hlelive.com/

Hlengiwe Ntombela (born 12 April 1991), better known as HLE, is a South African gospel singer and songwriter. She is a former member of the gospel choir Joyous Celebration, and currently performs as a solo artist.

Biography

Life

Ntombela grew up in Newcastle, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.[1] Her father is a bishop at Potters House Family Church.[1]

Career

Ntombela began her career as a backing vocalist for Ntokozo Mbambo.[1] In 2012, she was asked to lead a song with the Joyous Celebration gospel choir, after Khaya Mthethwa was unable to do so because of a commitment to Idols South Africa. She joined the choir afterwards.[1]

Ntombela later left the choir and embarked on a solo career as HLE. She recorded her debut gospel album, titled Your Kingdom on Earth, in 2019.[1][2] The same year, she was featured on Benjamin Dube's album, Glory in His Presence.[3]

In 2020, HLE released her debut solo single, "Dwala"; it debuted at number one on the iTunes charts.[4][5] She launched a project, The HOW Project, which centers around the heart of a worshiper.[6] A month later, she released her second debut single, "You Are".[7] HLE released her debut album, Your Kingdom On Earth (Live).[8]

On July 1, 2020, HLE's weekly show titled "Adlib" premiered on One Gospel, Channel 331, DSTv. In this show, Hle hosts South African gospel musicians.[9]

In 2021, HLE hosted a weekly Sunday show titled "VIP Invite" on Mzansi Magic, Channel 161, DSTv.[10] The show was renewed for a second season in 2022.

2022-present: new projects

On February 17, was announced that Hle has signed a record deal with Motown Gospel under Capitol Christian Music Group, based in Nashville.[11] She released her debut EP with Motown Gospel titled "Take Heart" in 2023.[12]

In 2025 she released her much-anticipated second album, "The Ground We're On".[13]

Discography

Albums

  • Your Kingdom On Earth (Live)[14][15]
  • The Ground We're On[16]

Singles

  • "You Are Life" (Malak Yaweh, 2018)
  • "Dwala (Live)" (YKOE / The T Effect, 2020)
  • "You Are (Live)" (YKOE / The T Effect, 2020)
  • "Nguwe (Live)" (YKOE / The T Effect, 2020)
  • "Kube Kuhle" (2022)

Awards

South African Music Awards

Year Nominee / work Award Result Ref.
2021 Herself Best Female Artist of the Year Nominated [17][18][19]
Your Kingdom on Earth Best Contemporary Faith Album Won
Best Live Audio Visual Recording of the Year Nominated
2023 Herself Female Arist of the year Nominated [20]
Take Heart Best Contemporary Faith Album Nominated
2026 The Ground We're On Best Contemporary Faith Music Album Won [21][22][23][24]
Album of the Year Won
Herself Female Artist of the Year Won

Basadi in Music Awards

Year Nominee / work Award Result
2026 Herself Best Gospel Artist of the Year Nominated [25]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 Sekudu, Bonolo (19 June 2019). "Following God's lead". Move! – via PressReader.com.
  2. ↑ "Hle Ntombela-Mthethwa launches her first ever gospel album". Rosebank Killarney Gazette. 26 June 2019. Retrieved 8 October 2020.
  3. ↑ "Benjamin Dube releases his double disc album, Glory In His Presence". Just Nje. 27 September 2019. Archived from the original on 3 December 2021. Retrieved 29 July 2020.
  4. ↑ "HLE's debut hits high note with #1 single on iTunes All-Genre Charts". GATEWAY NEWS. 25 February 2020.
  5. ↑ "Hle - Dwala »". uBeToo. 1 February 2020. Retrieved 31 July 2020.
  6. ↑ "Hle Ntombela". Afternoon Express.
  7. ↑ "You Are (Live)". Shazam.com. Retrieved 23 May 2023.
  8. ↑ Andile "FineSalt" Vilakazi (15 August 2020). "HLE Announces Debut Album "Your Kingdom On Earth"". Gospel Corner Online. Retrieved 4 September 2020.
  9. ↑ "South African Gospel Singer HLE lands a hosting gig on One Gospel – Transafrica Radio". Archived from the original on 3 December 2021. Retrieved 31 July 2020.
  10. ↑ "Gospel star Hle bags her own TV show 'VIP Invite'". The Star.
  11. ↑ Bambalele, Patience (17 February 2022). "Hle taps global market with Motown Gospel deal". SowetanLIVE. Retrieved 21 February 2022.
  12. ↑ "LISTEN: HLE Debuts "Take Heart" with Lyric Video". GMusic+.
  13. ↑ "Hle Releases New Album "The Ground We're On"". Gospel Music magazine.
  14. ↑ "HLE Live – YKOE | Coming 28 August". Hlelive.com. Retrieved 13 August 2020.
  15. ↑ Clarks, Jessie (7 August 2020). "Former Joyous Celebration Lead Singer HLE Announces Debut Album". TheChristianBeat.org. Retrieved 22 August 2020.
  16. ↑ "Hle Releases New Album "The Ground We're On"". Gospel Music magazine.
  17. ↑ "2021 SAMAs: all the nominees". TVSA.
  18. ↑ "SAMA 27: 2021". SA Music Awards.
  19. ↑ "2021 SAMAs: all the nominees". TVSA.
  20. ↑ "AKA, K.O lead Sama 2023 nominees as show heads to KZN". News 24.
  21. ↑ "South African Music Awards 2026: HLE and Kabza De Small Lead Winners". Interspace Daily.
  22. ↑ "South African Music Awards 2026: HLE and Kabza De Small Lead Winners". Interspace Daily.
  23. ↑ "South African Music Awards 2026: HLE and Kabza De Small Lead Winners". Interspace Daily.
  24. ↑ Shumba, Ano (17 August 2026). "SOUTH AFRICAN MUSIC AWARDS 2026: ALL THE WINNERS". Music in Africa. Retrieved 20 August 2026.
  25. ↑ "Meet the Basadi in Music Awards™ 2026 Nominees". Basadi in Music awards.
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