Se-Anne Rall|Published
Amapiano star Young Stunna has pulled at the heartstrings of fans with the release of his highly anticipated sophomore album, Busisiwe, a deeply personal project dedicated to the woman who helped shape the person and artist he is today.
Released on Wednesday, October 21, the 16-track album marks a major milestone in the musician's career, arriving exactly five years after his platinum-certified debut, Notumato, released on the same date in 2021.
Busisiwe carries a much deeper meaning for the award-winning hitmaker, whose real name is Sandisile Msimango.
In a Facebook tribute, he said the album honours his late great-grandmother, whom he affectionately called Mama, whose love, guidance, and unwavering support played an instrumental role in his upbringing and creative journey.
Young Stunna pays tribute to the woman behind his success
Taking to social media to share the story behind the album's title, Young Stunna opened up about growing up under the care of his great-grandmother and grandmothers, describing the experience as a blessing that gave him a strong foundation of love and belonging.
Her name was Busisiwe, but within their household, she was simply known as Mama because of the care she extended to everyone around her.
From ensuring that the children never went to bed hungry to making certain that nobody was left behind, she created a home where family and looking after one another came first.
"From the day we were born until we got our own pozies, she was always there," he shared, reflecting on the woman who made sure everyone was cared for.
For the musician, those formative years were about more than family bonds. They helped shape his outlook on life and instilled values that continue to influence him today.
The unwavering support that kept his musical dreams alive
Long before the fame and success that came with his rise in the amapiano scene, Young Stunna had someone in his corner who believed in his potential, even when others questioned his ambitions.
He revealed that his great-grandmother never discouraged him from pursuing music. Instead, she actively supported his dream, giving him money to travel to gigs and ensuring he had enough to make his way back home safely.
"She believed in my dreams so much, even when everyone else in the family was questioning them," he recalled.
Her belief offered him encouragement at a time when pursuing a career in music was not necessarily understood or supported by everyone in the family.
That steadfast support has become an important part of the story behind Busisiwe, making the album a personal expression of gratitude to someone who stood by him before the wider world knew his name.
How Mama influenced Young Stunna's love for music and fashion
The influence of Young Stunna's great-grandmother extended beyond the values she taught him at home, reaching into two of the defining elements of his artistic identity: music and fashion.
A choir member herself, Mama introduced him to a musical environment that would leave a lasting impression on the young artist.
He recalled how her choir regularly came out on top, making their performances a source of inspiration.
Music was also woven into family life through the Sunday services she hosted at home. Young Stunna jokingly recalled that there was no escaping church, but the songs he heard during those gatherings gave him a sense of comfort and reassurance.
Those gospel influences, he explained, helped him feel that everything would eventually be all right.
Fashion, meanwhile, began with a little childhood experimentation.
Young Stunna revealed that he would borrow his great-grandmother's shirts and pair them with chinos, developing an appreciation for clothing and styling from an early age.
That early exposure helped nurture his distinctive creative expression, with the musician explaining that it was one of the reasons he has never had a stylist.
So much of what audiences recognise in him today, he reflected, began at home.
More than an album
For an artist whose music has become part of South Africa's thriving amapiano movement, the release of a sophomore album is a major career moment in its own right.
However, by naming the project after his great-grandmother, Young Stunna has made Busisiwe an intimate celebration of family, heritage, faith and the people who believe in us before success arrives.
His tribute also offers fans a more personal glimpse into the experiences that helped shape his artistry, from the church songs of his childhood to the fashion choices that developed into his own creative signature.
Addressing his late great-grandmother directly, he wrote: "Mama, this album is yours."
He ended his heartfelt message with a touching acknowledgement of her continued place in his life, expressing his love and wishing her eternal peace.
seanne.rall@iol.co.za
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