DOJA CAT
Doja Cat’s viral video ‘Mooo!’ had over eighty-nine million views by 2017.
Doja Cat launched her own NFT marketplace in April last year.
In her first-ever NFT auction, Doja Cat’s single edition crystal token sold to the highest bidder for an impressive $188,888.
Doja Cat changed her stage name from ‘M’ to ‘Doja’ when she started high school.
In 2011, Doja Cat created her YouTube channel with her best friend ‘Aryay.’ She started vlogging and posting music that she made herself.
AKA
The award-winning rapper AKA finally settled a whopping tax bill of R5 million pending since 2017
AKA bought Durban’s Cuba Lounge in 2020 and formally announced ownership of the venture in Nov/ December 2020.
AKA has a partnership with Cruz Vodka, where he gets paid a percentage of every purchase.
One of AKA’s most expensive cars, a BMW MX6, costs over R2 million.
AKA launched his own subscription-based channel in May of 2020 called AKA TV.
FOCALISTIC
In 2020 Focalistic bought himself a Mercedes Benz V Class V220d A.M.G. Line minibus, valued at over R1 million.
Focalistic’s ‘Ke Star remix’ featuring Nigerian superstar Davido became the first South African track to reach the global Billboard charts in the United States.
Focalistic graduated with a Political Science degree from the University of Pretoria in 2017.
Focalistic signed to Major League Music in 2018 and released his first single with them, titled 19 Tobetsa.
Focalistic has more than 1.6 million followers on Instagram.
MADUMANE
Madumane is, of course, DJ Maphorisa’s alter ego, a name conjured up to extend his reach and separate the producer/D.J. from the vocalist.
Madumane is developing a reputation as a vocalist that always seems to show up. He even takes bookings in his own capacity as a performer.
Madumane teamed up with Tyler I.C.U. on the single, Izolo. Izolo is from their three-track EP Banyana, released on 16 April 2021.
Madumane released an album called Madumane by Lawd Porry, which features international superstars like Rich Homie Quan.
Madumane, who also goes by Dj Maphorisa’s real name is Themba Sonnyboy Sekowe, known professionally as DJ Maphorisa.
MELLOW AND SLEAZY
Mellow & Sleazy’s real names are Phemelo Sefanyetse and Olebogeng Kwanaite.
Mellow & Sleazy have officially announced their signing to major label Sony Music South Africa.
Mellow & Sleazy are responsible for viral hits “Bopha” together with Felo le Tee, DJ Maphorisa, Young Stunna, and their latest smash “Nkao Tempela” together with Ch’cco.
Mellow & Sleazy’s “Nkao Tempela” gave rise to a dance challenge that has taken the country by storm, with celebrities racking up the TikTok videos in response.
Mellow & Sleazy describe the upbeat instrumental sound as “Bacardi” and say that the title of the E.P. is a term used to describe the “Bacardi” or “mokonko” genre in Pretoria.
DJ MAPHORISA
DJ Maphorisa is the former leader of the group Uhuru and HOUSE music producer.
He comes from a musical family. His mother was involved in the ministry, and the D.J. grew up listening to gospel music.
He got his first big hit when he was a member of Uhuru, The group featured on Mafikizolo’s 2013 smash hit, Khona.
Dj Maphorisa bought an R1.5million Cartier golden watch in Dubai last October.
Dj Maphorisa is one of the wealthiest D.J.s in Africa. His net worth is estimated to be around R255 million.
G-EAZY
G-Eazy was born and raised in Oakland, California, before moving to New Orleans to go to college and pursue his dreams of being a rapper.
G-Eazy once toured with Drake but was forced to come home by his school teacher.
The G in G-Eazy stands for Gerald. His full name is Gerald Earl Gillum.
G-Eazy is of Ukrainian descent.
After graduating from University in 2012, he went on a 40-date Music Festival with Lil Wayne, TI and 2 Chainz without having a “home” or many possessions.
HALSEY
Halsey was born Ashley Nicolette Frangipane. Halsey is an anagram of her first name if you haven’t caught on yet.
Halsey recorded “Ghost” and uploaded it up on SoundCloud. Within hours of posting, the song went viral, and multiple record labels contacted Halsey.
After a few financial hardships and home troubles after high school, Halsey found herself homeless in New York for some time.
Halsey openly struggles with bipolar disorder. She received her diagnosis at 17 after a suicide attempt.
Halsey is a strong activist and openly supports the feminism movement, the LGBTQ community, equal rights, abortion laws and sexual assault.
DJ STOKIE
DJ Stokie’s real name is Setoki Mbatha, and he hails from Mzimhlophe, Soweto.
DJ Stokie released his Documentary iPiano eSoweto: The DJ Stokie Story in December 2020.
DJ Stokie’s second studio album, My Journey, was released in December 2020 and featured Kabza De Small, DJ Maphorisa, Sha Sha, Focalistic, Daliwonga and more.
DJ Stokie’s documentary prominently features appearances from fans, who highly praise Stokie. One even enthusiastically expresses, “He’s one of the Amapiano gods.”
DALIWONGA
Daliwonga’s full name is Daliwonga Matiwane.
Daliwonga was born in Diepkloof, Soweto.
Daliwonga has been dropping hit after hit since 2019 under Maphorisa’s Blaqboy Records.
Daliwonga has collaborated with acts like Kabza De Small, Sha Sha and even King Monada himself on a song called ‘Tester’.
One of his biggest songs, ‘Moya,’ featuring Aymos, has over 400 000 views on YouTube.
NIA PEARL
Nia Pearl’s real name is Peleka Lwana.
On 25 December 1990 was born and raised in Mthatha, Eastern Cape.
She graduated in 2013 after completing her degree in music.
In April 2017, she released her debut single, Liberty, featuring SAMA award-winning musician Kabomo.
Nia Pearl is signed under Universal Music record label.
MILEY CYRUS
Miley Cyrus’s godmother is country music legend Dolly Parton.
Miley initially tried out for the role of Lily that eventually went to actress Emily Osment.
She hasn’t always come out on top. Miley lost to Selena Gomez for the lead in ‘Ramona and Beezus’.
Miley was rumoured to be in consideration for the role of Peter Pan in the live television production that eventually starred Allison Williams.
Miley Cyrus has said she identifies as pansexual, and she came out to her mom when she was 14 years old. Her mom has accepted her sexual identity ever since.
NOMFUNDOH MOH
Nomfundo Moh has over 26 thousand followers on her Instagram account.
Nomfundo Moh’s instagram handle is Iamnomfundomoh.
Nomfundo Moh wants people to know they are not alone, which transpires in her music. She tackles depreciation and issues in young people’s lives through her music.
Her love and passion for music started when she joined and sang in the church choir.
She got the nickname “Moh” after her family described her as energetic, like a mosquito.
AMI FAKU
Ami Faku rose to fame as a contestant on The Voice S.A. season 2 in 2017.
Ami Faku started singing at a house church which her father pastored and is influenced by the church, reggae, and hip hop.
In 2020, Deezer named Ami Faku, the most-streamed female artist in South Africa.
Ami Faku gets songwriting motivation from her past and the circumstances that others go through.
SHA SHA
Sha Sha looked for waitressing Jobs before finding fame.
Sha Sha would have been a nurse had she not become an Amapiano artist.
While she was still trying to find her footing in the industry, Sha Sha used to make country music.
Sia has a significant influence on Sha Sha. Songs like Chandelier Elastic Heart inspire her.
NBA YOUNGBOY
NBA YoungBoy’s favourite actor is Vin Diesel, and his favourite actress is Jennifer Lawrence.
N.B.A. YoungBoy estimated net worth is USD 4 million.
N.B.A. YoungBoy was once arrested for kidnapping, weapons violation, and allegedly committing assault at a club.
In 2019, N.B.A. YoungBoy won the award of B.E.T. Hip H.O.P. award in the Best Impact Track category.
N.B.A. YoungBoy has over one million followers on Instagram and thousands of fans on Twitter and Facebook.
SIR TRILL
Sir Trill had a falling out with De Mthuda over the shooting of the music video for John Wick, but we’re able to set aside their differences and create the masterpiece Emlanjeni.
Sir Trill was nominated for best Amapiano Collaboration in the 2021 South African AmaPiano music awards for ‘Isingisi’ with Semi Tee & Mdu Aka Trp.
He describes himself as just a boy from the hood, and he used to go by the name T- Diablo.
He grew up in Soweto, where he started his music career and grew from there.
GUNNA
Gunna is an American rapper and songwriter who has a net worth of $4 million.
Gunna was born in College Park, Georgia, in June 1993.
In 2013 he released the mixtape Hard Body under the name Yung Gunna.
As Gunna, he released the mixtapes Drip Season in 2016 and Drip Season 2 in 2017.
His mixtape Drip Season 3 was released in 2018 and reached #20 on the U.S. Rap chart and #25 on the US R&B/Hip-Hop chart.
FUTURE
Future’s government name is Nayvadius DeMun Wilburn.
Future’s former fiancee singer Ciara has a tattoo of the letter “N” on her ring finger for Nayvadius.
His stage name was born when members of the hip-hop musical collective, The Dungeon Family, called him “The Future.”
Future wrote the hook for Ludacris’ “Blueberry Yum Yum.”
He learned the lyrics to all of Too $hort’s songs as a kid.
RODDY RICH
Roddy Ricch has an estimated net worth of over $20 million.
Roddy Ricch was born and raised in Compton, California, and also spent some time living in Atlanta, Georgia, during his childhood.
Roddy Ricch has one child, a son, with his girlfriend, Allie Kay. They welcomed him in April 2020.
Roddy Ricch won his first Grammy in 2020, picking up the ‘Best Rap Performance’ award for his feature on ‘Racks in the Middle’ with Nipsey Hussle and Hit-Boy.
Roddy Ricch’s real name is Rodrick Wayne Moore, Jr.
STOGIE T
Stogie T shared a list of rappers who made it to “Verse Of The Year” in 2020, listing some of the best lyricists, including, Kwesta, Priddy Ugly, YoungStaCPT.
Stogie revealed that he not only heals by listening to music, but he also battles his demons by making music from the soul.
Stogie T said that his 2007 album Music From My Good Eye helped him through his toughest days.
IN APRIL OF THIS YEAR, Stogie T announced plans to launch his sneakers in partnership with Sneaker Bar S.A.
Stogie T is turning 41-years-old this year on 16 August.
KWESTA
Kwesta dropped out of high school at the age of 16 to pursue a career in music.
Kwesta was only eight years old when his parents got divorced.
Kwesta and his lady got matching ring tattoos way before they even spoke about marriage.
DJ Maphorisa slowed down Joakim’s remix of “Camino Del Sol,” a 1982 house track from the French-Belgian group Antena, into an old school kwaito tempo for Kwesta’s smash hit ‘Ngud’.
Kwesta would have pursued a career in soccer had he not pursued music.
Kwesta started as a poet; however, when he first recorded his poetry on beats, he realised that it wasn’t too different and fell in love with making music.
MAGGZ
Maggz worked with Bongani “Bongz” Fassie, who has single-handedly given him the new edge he needs to roam amongst the top rappers in South Africa.
In 2013 Maggz released his smashing hits “Change” & “No Tweets Allowed.
Maggz was featured on hits like “Heaven” by Da L.E.S., featuring AKA.
Maggz and Bongani Fassie were charged with the theft of musical instruments in 2010.
J MOLLEY
J Molley was homeschooled and believes that this has helped shape his independent thinking.
His inspired by young American artists who also grew their following online. He said Lil Yatchy, Playboi Carti and Travis Scott are some of the acts which inspire him in his craft.
Molley is often considered to be a name that comes from the drug by most but comes from his last name, Molle, which he changed, so it becomes easier for people to say.
The rapper is part of the Raw X team, which he considers family.
The rapper has grown his fan base off of the internet, with his first single reaching 10,000 plays on Soundcloud in a month.
ZAKES BANTWINI
Zakes Bantwini is a musician and an established businessman, and producer.
Zakes Bantwini’s production company Mayonie was established in 2004 and has since been famous for great sounds such as Clap Your Hands, Wasting my Time, and Bum Bum.
Zakes Bantwini was born on 26 May, 1981.
Zakes Bantwini grew up in the KwaZulu-Natal South African province, the F-Section of KwaMashu Township in Durban.
Zakes Bantwini was born and given the name Zakhele Madida.
ED SHEERAN
Ed Sheeran isn’t the only musical member of his family! Matthew Sheeran, his brother, is a classical musician.
Ed Sheeran slept on streets, on trains and on the sofas of his friends after struggling to pay his rent. He even slept outside Buckingham Palace.
A-Team was inspired by a woman Ed Sheeran met at a homeless shelter.
If Ed could trade places with someone, it would be a cat. Not just that. He thinks his spirit animal is a midget kitty.
Ed might be the most tattooed celebrity out there, with 60 to 100 tattoos. In addition, he has ketchup bottles, a cup of tea, a penguin, Puss in Boots, to name a few.
