South African Amapiano Hit 'John Vuli Gate' Smashes Shazam Charts

Hit song "John Vuli Gate" by amapiano duoMapara A Jazz featuring Ntosh Gazi and Colano has smashed Shazam's global charts. The song recorded the highest entry into the international chart following social media craze on TikTok and Twitter. The #JohnVuliGateChallenge is the latest dance trend that has been prompted by the infectious song.

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Official reports from Shazam announced that "John Vuli Gate" broke through the global charts with an entry at number 46 and number one nationally. The fairly unknown amapiano duo from Pretoria have said that they been taken aback by the news.

"We are so pleased to have our song "John Vuli Gate" become a major trend in South Africa. To have people Shazam our song around the world is a dream come true for us. People all over are taking part in the dance challenge of 'John Vuli Gate' and loving the song. We are very happy to debut in Shazam's charts and reach the Global Top 50. It shows people are really loving our music and want to stream it."

Mapara A Jazz recorded the song in July of this year in the middle of lockdown but it made its way to the public through viral videos on TikTok and Twitter. The duo, 29-year-old Mano Nephawe and 31-year-old Leornard Malatji, have been on the music scene for over ten years playing at various taverns and clubs. According to Drum, "John Vuli Gate" is their breakthrough record after thirteen years of playing the underground amapiano scene.

South Africans are known for dance trends and "John Vuli Gate" is no exception. A video of a young man dancing to the hit song debuted on the Twitter streets but it was the viral video of five sexy young women dancing at a petrol station that made the song as popular as it now is.

Mapara A Jazz had already shot a video but have reportedly started reshooting to include the five women who turned the song into a hit.

South Africans are determined to end the year well despite the coronavirus pandemic having put a putting a dampener on the year. While the year started off with the #JerusalemaChallenge, it might just end with the #JohnVuliGateChallenge. The fast beat track may just be the song of the year or as South Africans would say, "the song to break the year".

Listen to "John Vuli Gate" on Apple Music:

Listen to "John Vuli Gate" on Spotify: