WATCH | Sjava plans to take his BET award to the streets

Sjava’s prestigious BET Award has finally touched down in Mzansi and he wants to share the pride and glory with fans by taking the trophy to the streets of Jozi. 

The entire country was buzzing with pride when Sjava scooped the award at the prestigious ceremony in Los Angeles, California in June last year.

After receiving the actual trophy last week, Sjava came up with the idea of taking it to the people who voted for him.

"They are the ones who voted. Everywhere I go I will take it with me (for fans)," Sjava told TshisaLIVE. 

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Sjava said he wanted fans to touch and take pictures with the BET award. He said it was all part of reinforcing the mantra that even dreams that seem impossible, are very much possible.

"Winning the BET is something I never thought could happen for me. Because if you look back, the people who made it internationally had or have agents, you know some white guy who would be their plug. We have what it takes but people overseas don't know...until we make them know. Now I am trying to get people (the young kids) to realise that they don't have to change themselves to get that recognition."

The Ngempela hitmaker explained that he clinched the award because of loyal fans who voted for him, which allowed him to represent the country on an international stage.  

Sjava said, even though he knew his music could compete on a global scale, he didn't believe he would get international recognition because he's unapologetically African.

"When they announced it, I thought it was a mistake or maybe they were still rehearsing." 

Sjava who did his acceptance speech in his mother tongue said it's just who he is. 

"That's how I talk, I always talk nge isiZulu. I figured it was better to do that, especially with all that excitement. You know when you are that happy, you always revert back to the basics. I also wanted to show people where I am from and the thank the people that voted, in a language more familiar to them."

Both the BET and being part of the official Black Panther soundtrack ensured that Sjava was a recognisable face on the international stage. More than anything, Sjava is grateful that he didn't have to compromise his identity for all these things to happen.

Along with the likes of DJ Black Coffee and Trevor Noah, Sjava is exporting authentically African music into the world. His name is now etched into the world history book along with the fame of the Marvel film soundtrack.

"It was an honour for me to be part of Black Panther and I am grateful for Kendrick Lamar and TDE, for believing in me and giving me an opportunity to tell our stories in our own language."