De Mthuda, born Mthuthuzeli Gift Khoza, is a South African amapiano record producer and DJ from Vosloorus, Johannesburg. He rose to prominence with his 2019 gold-certified hit Shesha Geza and is now one of the genre's most prolific artists, with chart-topping releases and collaborations. Known as "The Landlord" of amapiano, he has redefined the sound's boundaries with every release.
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Key takeaways
- De Mthuda's real name is Mthuthuzeli Gift Khoza, and he hails from Vosloorus, Johannesburg.
- He dropped out of school in Grade 11 to pursue music full-time.
- His breakthrough came with the 2019 gold-certified single Shesha Geza, nominated for Record of the Year at the 26th South African Music Awards.
- De Mthuda has released several albums and EPs, with his latest, Noise, dropping on 7 August 2026.
- His estimated net worth is multi-million rand from music, streaming, and his record label, Ace of Spades.
De Mthuda's profile summary
Full name | Mthuthuzeli Gift Khoza |
Stage name | De Mthuda |
Place of birth | Vosloorus, Johannesburg, South Africa |
Nationality | South African |
Profession | Record producer, DJ, singer |
Instruments | Piano, keyboard, vocals |
Genre | Amapiano |
Active since | 2018 |
Record labels | CCA, Universal Music (Pty) Ltd, Ace of Spades |
De Mthuda's biography
De Mthuda is one of South Africa's defining amapiano producers. He built his reputation on piano-led, groove-heavy beats that blend traditional South African sounds with contemporary production. His rise from a township kid in Vosloorus to a nationally recognised artist is a story of early sacrifice and consistent output.
What is De Mthuda's real name?
De Mthuda's real name is Mthuthuzeli Gift Khoza. He adopted a stage name that mirrors his birth name. His 2025 album, Mthuthuzeli, is a direct tribute to that identity — among the most personal works of his career. He said ahead of the album's release.
Mthuthuzeli is me — every scar, every beat, every fight. I’ve been pouring my heart and soul into this one, and it’s finally time to let it loose. This is not just my story - it’s ours
Where was De Mthuda born?
De Mthuda was born and raised in Vosloorus, a South African township east of Johannesburg in Gauteng province. Growing up there shaped his musical sensibility and his deep connection to the amapiano sound.
Source: Original
De Mthuda's career
De Mthuda began producing music in 2010 while still in high school. He later left school in Grade 11 to focus on music full-time. He started as a dancer and DJ before moving into production and singing.
His commercial career launched in 2018. The following year, he broke through nationally with Shesha Geza, a collaboration with DJ Njelic. The track was certified gold by RiSA and nominated for Record of the Year at the 26th South African Music Awards.
De Mthuda's songs
De Mthuda has built a catalogue of amapiano hits spanning six years. His most recognised tracks include:
- Shesha Geza (2019, with Njelic): his gold-certified breakthrough single
- John Wick (2021): a fan-favourite anthem from The Landlord
- Morena: celebrated for its spiritual undertones and melodic depth
- Jola: a fan-favourite track from his catalogue
Across his career, De Mthuda's music has accumulated over 621 million streams — both audio and video — and he has received gold and platinum certifications.
How many albums does De Mthuda have?
De Mthuda has released over ten studio projects, including full-length studio releases, EPs, collaborative projects, and volume series. His notable releases include:
- Ace of Spades (2020, with Ntokzin)
- Story To Tell: Vol.1 (2020)
- The Landlord (2021)
- The Landlord: Vol.2 (2021)
- Story To Tell: Vol.2 (2022)
- Sgudi Sync (2023, with Da Muziqal Chef)
- Baba Yaga (2024)
- Mthuthuzeli (2025)
- Noise (2026)
Who is De Mthuda signed to?
De Mthuda runs his own record label, Ace of Spades, which he founded. He has also worked with CCA and Universal Music (Pty) Ltd for distribution and wider releases.
De Mthuda is widely estimated to have a net worth of several million rands, but the exact figure is not publicly verified. His income comes from music production, live performances, streaming royalties, and his record label.
Who is De Mthuda's wife?
De Mthuda is an intensely private person. He has not publicly confirmed details about his relationship status or family. He has shared photos on social media that fans believe show a partner and a child, but he has made no official statements on the matter.
Latest news
On 23 October 2026, De Mthuda joined forces with fellow heavyweights Njelic and Sam Deep to drop the collaborative single Confidence. The hit represents a powerhouse link-up that blends foundational, soulful amapiano roots with modern piano production energy.
De Mthuda continues to enjoy massive acclaim following his recent Noise release. Rather than dropping a heavy chunk of music all at once, he deliberately released music snippets and singles week by week leading up to August. He noted:
I do not shock them; that way they can get a chance to get familiar with 'Noise'.
De Mthuda's awards and nominations
Year | Award | Category | Result |
2019 | Dance Music Awards South Africa | Best Amapiano Record | Nominated |
2020 | South African Music Awards (SAMA 26) | Record of the Year | Nominated |
2021 | South African Amapiano Awards | Best Amapiano Music Producer | Nominated |
2021 | South African Amapiano Awards | Best Amapiano Produced Song | Nominated |
2021 | South African Amapiano Awards | Best Album of the Year | Nominated |
2022 | DStv Mzansi Viewers' Choice Awards | Favourite DJ | Nominated |
FAQs
- Who is De Mthuda? De Mthuda, real name Mthuthuzeli Gift Khoza, is a South African amapiano record producer, DJ, and singer from Vosloorus, Johannesburg. He is one of amapiano's most prolific and acclaimed artists.
- Where was De Mthuda born? De Mthuda was born in Vosloorus, a township east of Johannesburg in Gauteng, South Africa.
- What is De Mthuda's real name? De Mthuda's real name is Mthuthuzeli Gift Khoza. His 2025 album is also titled Mthuthuzeli as a tribute to his identity.
- How many albums does De Mthuda have? De Mthuda has released several studio albums: Ace of Spades (2020), The Landlord (2021), Story To Tell: Vol.2 (2022), Sgudi Sync (2023), Baba Yaga (2024), and Mthuthuzeli (2025).
- What is De Mthuda's most famous song? De Mthuda is best known for Shesha Geza (2019), his gold-certified breakthrough, and John Wick (2021), a widely loved amapiano anthem.
- What record label is De Mthuda signed to? De Mthuda runs his own label, Ace of Spades, and has worked with CCA and Universal Music (Pty) Ltd for distribution.
- What is De Mthuda's net worth? De Mthuda's exact net worth is not known, but he is widely estimated to be a Rand millionaire.
- What does "De Mthuda" mean? De Mthuda is a stage name that echoes his birth name, Mthuthuzeli. He named his 2025 album Mthuthuzeli as a personal statement of identity.
Conclusion
Dubbed the Landlord of Amapiano, De Mthuda rose from the streets of Vosloorus to become one of South Africa's most influential hitmakers. With a growing discography of chart-topping releases, Mthuda has cemented his legacy in the industry.
We also highlighted facts about Murumba Pitch, the South African Amapiano duo made up of Emmanuel Mathye and Khathutshelo Innocent Mongolo, and traced their journey from solo artists to a rising music act.
Before joining forces in 2020, the pair pursued different paths—Mathye played drums in church, while Mongolo studied mechanical engineering. Their distinct influences helped shape the sound that would lead to a Sony Music deal and collaborations with some of Amapiano's biggest names.
Source: Briefly News
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