Amapiano DJ and dancer 'Papers 707' dies at age 42
Popular amapiano DJ and dancer Vusi “Papers 707" Mabuza has died at the age of 42.
The star died in hospital on Wednesday morning after being admitted to hospital for gout.
Mabuza's death was confirmed to TshisaLIVE by his long-time friend and collaborator, Thapelo “Thabza Da DJ” Ranko, who said he was heartbroken by the news.
“He was in hospital for gout. I was with him last week and he was struggling with his condition. I spoke to him yesterday and he was in high spirits. It came as a shock to us all and we really don't know what to think at the moment. There are so many emotions.”
He said he would remember Vusi as a “caring and loving guy who always went out of his way to help everyone have a good time”.
“He was so loving. It is such a loss to us, as his friends, but also to the industry.”
View this post on InstagramRest East Mfowethu 🙏😭🕊it’s was not covid-19 guys
A post shared by Thapelo.ofentse (@thabza_da_dj_) on
Hailed as one of the pioneers of amapiano in Mzansi, Vusi was popular in the genre, producing several tracks that filled dance floors.
Last month he released a mixtape with Thabza Da DJ called the Lockdown Medication Vol 2.
Friends and fans flooded social media with messages of condolence and posts remembering the star.
Several users posted videos of him dancing, capturing his love for life and music.
😔 The Yanos have lost a truly unapologetic ambassador!!! On behalf of #Amapiano: DANKO AND #RipPapers707 pic.twitter.com/X38iOeJN3C
— DJ Fresh (Big Dawg) (@DJFreshSA) July 15, 2020
Jazzidisciples's 'Long Lasting' song was the 1st Amapiano hit to endorse Amapiano Lifestyle. Papers 707 is seen dancing through out the Long Lasting video. His 'weird' & 'drunk' moves whilst holding a Hennessey bottle later became what is known as Amapiano dance#RipPapers707 pic.twitter.com/OzZ9aNM55f
— Tumelo Warona (@DjNewAfrica) July 15, 2020
Rest in peace Grootman 😭😭😭💔#RipPapers707 pic.twitter.com/Fa7kZPpTyO
— Tsatsi Mvala 💮 (@Tsatsi_mvala) July 15, 2020
#RipPapers707 no one cared to dance to Amapiano until he made it possible. Lala ngoxolo grootman pic.twitter.com/Je0W1Ff37h
— Ma- Eh (@loveric3000) July 15, 2020
#RipPapers707 We've Lost A Legend Here, We Yano Djs Are Mourning😭, It Is Indeed A Sad Morning Mourning💔💔 pic.twitter.com/56rUsbt2YK
— P🅰P🅰 BUHLE (@malum_nator) July 15, 2020
Rest easy Grootman🙌😭 #RipPapers707 pic.twitter.com/TPypisfZib
— Gregory (@Gregory14938070) July 15, 2020
#RipPapers707 💔😭 we lost a soldier here😭😭😭 pic.twitter.com/2jYLN5LQ3D
— MrMrivithi🔥 (@sms_samma) July 15, 2020