In 2022 there's no way you would mention the amapiano genre without mentioning the one musician who made sure Mzansi kept the name Young Stunna on their lips.
He rose to fame in 2021 when he featured on Felo Le Tee and Mellow & Sleazy's amapiano hit Bopha,. Riding on the wave of having made South Africans stand up and notice him, he released his album titled Notumato.
The Adiwele hit maker, whose real name is Sandile Msimango, scored himself a BET nomination in the Viewer’s Choice: Best New International Act category.
Speaking to TshisaLIVE, he said it's been a dream of his and his crew to be nominated for the BETs and other international awards.
“We were running for the Grammys. We were aiming higher. There's been a lot of emotions. Having to say to my parents I've been nominated for a BET within a year inside the game is life-changing for me, I don't know if it's even a year.
“I couldn't believe it. I said 'no ways, it's not happening, not now', but it was real so I had to tell my mom. She's happy about it. Everyone is happy about it. We're trying hard to get people to vote. We are hoping we come back with it because it'd be great not only for me but for where I come from too. It's hard to make it out there so I want to inspire someone and let them know that it's possible for everyone who believes in their dreams and pushes forward to make them come true.”
He said it hasn't sunk in that he was not only nominated abroad but also in Mzansi. He was nominated in three categories for the Samas, and for DStv Mzansi Viewers choice awards for favourite song category and favourite rising star.
He has managed to remain grounded and level-headed because he knows he can't drop the ball.
“I put my family first , I think about my mom. When something goes wrong or right she's the first person I think about because I know where we come from and I wouldn't want us to go back there. That's why people need to handle situations in a calm manner. It's important, especially people who are out there and up there. They are watching your every move so you need to be two steps ahead. I listen to my music a lot because the things being said in it changes people's lives. It shows I'm a respectful person. I always want to be respected and respect myself. It's me staying truthful to what I say.”
You may look at him and see a youngster who is the life of a party based on the popularity of his songs, but he is quite Zen and attuned to the kind of energy he allows in his space.
“I like music and I like singing. I like making music a lot. I like reading and learning new things. I watch, I read and I go back to work. That is and it has only been the formula for me., I let go of the partying because it could disturb. It could trigger you to do something you'll regret so I avoid parties and too many friends because people always have their own opinions and not everything sits good with you. My energy is important to me. My energy is so pure, I love being around people who express positive energy all the time more than anything else, people who are present.”
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