It's never just Twitter, fam! Ask these 3 people who got FAME from the net

2017 proved that social media is about more that trolling and being savage: it has the ability to make people instant stars. We all know that Twitter has the ability to make or break you. And these guys proved that social media defos accelerated their fame.

Killer Kau and Mbali of Tholukuthi hey fame

Sakhile Hlatshwayo, popularly known as Killer Kau, and Mbali Sikwane got major recognition after a DIY video of the song went viral, attracting DJ Euphonik to punt the track which captured Mzansi.

Speaking to Sowetan, Killer Kau said he never expected it to blow up as fast as it did.

"I didn't think it would get any views and everyone asked if it was a track. Euphonik came up with a proposal and now it has become a song."

 Aphelele Lusizi - the blossoming artist behind the fugly art that went viral

What was born from boredom on a Sunday afternoon became a money making opportunity for 20-year-old Apex. His "fugly" drawings of celebs including Boity, Nasty C and Pearl Thusi shot him up into the spotlight.

Apex admitted that he wasn't anticipating the reception his drawings received, but he didn't mind the exposure. Obvs.

"At first it was just a joke. I love art, but when I drew Boity that Sunday afternoon, I wasn't trying to create 'viral' art. I then tweeted the drawing just for fun, many retweeted because it made them laugh. Suddenly it got serious, with people DM'ing me to draw them or asking me to draw other celebs," he said.

Thickleeyonce - an activist against body shaming

If you've been following the young photographer and plus-size model, you'll know Thickleeyonce has always had a no-tolerance approach to body shaming. A clapback on Twitter to a troll saw her attract the attention of  Teen Vogue USA, Nicki Minaj and Ariana Grande.

She told TshisaLIVE she didn't have time for hate.

"I'm all about positivity and self-love and it took a lot for me to get where I am. I celebrate who I am and how I am daily and people often don't understand. It's important that we all stand up against societal standards of beauty and understand that we are all beautiful in our own ways."