AMAPIANO hit John Vuli’gate has inspired Mxolisi “Somkhathi” Mokoena (25) to do a maskandi version.
Somkhathi’s hit song is called iSitoko samabhinca.
He said: “I wrote this song in October. To my surprise, the song has become an instant hit in maskandi circles.
“I guess my timing was just right. The only thing I did in this song was to change the title, so instead of calling it John Vuli’gate I called it iSitoko samabhinca.
“I also made sure the message was not lost in the translation. This is the same song, but in a maskandi version.
“My song was adapted from the original. I’d been listening to the song and I loved it, but as a maskandi artist, I decided to make a maskandi version of this song.”
Somkhathi from Bergville in KZN told Daily Sun his song was an instant hit with his peers.
“Initially, I made the song and played it for my friends. I wasn’t sure how people would accept it, since they know it from amapiano. But to my surprise, people liked it. Before I knew it, the song was an instant hit on community radio stations.”
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According to Somkhathi, the song has gained popularity on both community and regional radio stations. “The song is on high rotation on eight radio stations, including SABC stations. This is exciting, because all these radio stations approached me and asked for this song.
“Therefore, I’d say this is my biggest project,” he said.
Somkhathi started doing music in 2013.
“But I only recorded my work in 2017. This is because I didn’t have resources and I was still learning about the industry. I only released my first album, Ukuhlolwa Kwezintombi in 2018. Unfortunately, my debut album did not do well.
“The song iSitoko samabhinca is the only project that has put my name on the map. However, I am busy with my second album. I have not decided on the title, but it’ll have 10 songs and it will be released during the Easter holidays,” said Somkhathi.
