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Internationally acclaimed amapiano artist Sandile Msimango, known as Young Stunna in the music scene, is on a mission to take amapiano to the world. City Press caught up with him fresh from performing at the Afro Nation festival in Portugal. He said being on that stage was a great experience for him because he also got to interact with other South Africans.
“Being on stage at Afro Nation is just wild. You shake a lot. It is not like performing at a club in Pretoria. Portugal was loud. The support was huge because a lot of South Africans were there. We were actually told that 50% of the ticket sales were by South Africans,” he explained.
The third annual three-day music festival, which took place from June 28 to June 30, featured megastars, including Davido (David Adeleke), Damini Ogulu aka Burna Boy and Ayodeji Balogun aka WizKid. Other South African stars who took to the stage were Pabbie Cooper (Paballo Basetsana Mothapo), Austin “Tyler ICU” Baloyi, and Mandisa “DBN Gogo” Radebe. Young Stunna added:
The SA Music Awards Best Amapiano Album and Best-Selling Artist winner said he was excited about joining the likes of DBN Gogo and Uncle Waffles (Lungelihle Zwane) as one of Jägermeister ambassadors who were taking amapiano to the world. He jokingly told City Press that he was reprimanded for that at home because he was still considered a child.
The artist said he was happy about all his achievements because they resulted from his blood and sweat. He added that he was an example to young people in the township that hard work paid off.
“Being a kid from Daveyton (in Ekurhuleni) who couldn’t afford to go to a party, any birthday celebration and did not have any birthday celebration, to actually work with such a big brand. I’m such a spiritual person. I take time to digest my celebrations because I come from a tough background. It is actually a blessing for someone who looks up to me as well because it means it is possible,” said the artist.
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The 25-year-old Adiwele and Bopha hitmaker told City Press that he grew up in church and that influenced his lyrics.
He said:
Msimango said it was easy for him to maintain and keep the teachings he got from his great-grandmother. He told City Press that moving to Joburg and being exposed to money has changed a lot of people, but he made sure to never lose his ways. He added he kept even the smallest teachings, such as washing his teeth and making his bed in the morning, as well as not going to bed without washing the dishes.
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“These things teach you to be disciplined, or you’ll lose yourself, especially in the South African entertainment industry. Have fun as much as you want but remember where you come from and what you were taught, because that can help you manoeuvre in this industry.”
Young Stunna is set to travel to more countries to give the world a taste of the locally flavoured genre.
