AMAPIANO musician De Mthuda has crowned himself the real star of amapiano.
He received a plaque for hitting 621 million streams for his songs John Wick, uMsholozi, Sgudi Snyc, Khanda Liyazula, and many others.
According to Universal Music, he has 32 million video and 589 million audio streams, which totalled 621 million.
He was handed over gold plaques for Dakwa Yini, Maplankeng, iThuba, Buya, and Khanda Liyazula.
He received platinum plaques for uMsholozi, John Wick, Abekho Ready, Emlanjeni, Jola, Sgudi Snyc, and Umona.
Speaking about the accolades, the DJ and producer, whose real name is Mthuthuzeli Gift Khoza from Vosloorus in Ekurhuleni, said he was humbled.
“It all felt like a dream. But this is not for me. It's for my fans - the people of Vosloorus and South Africa. Amapiano has changed our lives and it’s thanks to the people and the labels that support us,” he said.
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De Mthuda is also rebranding.
He was popularly known as John Wick because of his hit song, John Wick, but now he said he wants people to know him as Baba Yaga, the title of his new album.
“The inspiration behind the album and title is me transitioning to another chapter in my life, musically, spiritually, and mentally. For the longest time, people have always referred to me as John Wick. What people don't know is that Baba Yaga is the person they called to solve everything - the boogieman not John Wick. I'm the boogieman of amapiano, the real starring,” he said.
Baba Yaga was released in November and features some of amapiano’s finest, such as Da Muziqal Chef, Sino Msolo, and Murumba Pitch.
Speaking about how he chose the features, he said: “Collaboration comes naturally to me. I base everything on good energy and a work ethic. But I'm open to collaborating with everyone, and I want to expand to the continent and beyond.”
