Many South Africans grew up singing along to T.I.’s hits of yesteryear including Live Your Life with Rihanna and Whatever You Like. So you can imagine their delight when it emerged that the hip-hop legend had decided to try himself out with one of South Africa’s biggest genres, amapiano. The hitmaker has teamed up with Kamo Mphela to release a new single adopting the trademark Mzansi sound.

T.I. AND KAMO MPHELA – A MATCH IN PIANO HEAVEN
Amapiano is arguably South Africa’s most successful music export of the last two decades. The genre has gone viral to the point where it’s gaining fans from every country on earth and now some of the biggest artists on the planet too. The latest is T.I. who has just announced a new single with Kamo Mphela.The rapper announced the new single, titled Vacay, on his Instagram where he wrote “We goin’ UP in 4 days!”, alluding to the track’s release date on Friday 3 November 2023. The song features an upbeat amapiano beat and is produced by muso, Champuro Makhenzo, who was renowned for his work with the late Costa Titch and is a frequent collaborator with Mphela.If we needed more evidence of the way that Americans are loving South African culture, this might just be it. T.I. is the latest American celebrity to pay homage to our music and or overall industry with this Kamo Mphela collaboration.

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In recent weeks, legendary rapper has also teased a collaboration with SA DJ, Uncle Waffles, while every big media platform is praising singer, Tyla, for her hit single Water. If ever there was a time to “go Hollywood”, it might be now!