Amapiano sensations Titom and Yuppe, the masterminds behind the viral hit Tshwala Bam, have added another major win to their growing list of achievements. The duo received a generous $15,000 (approximately R290,396.58) prize from Johnnie Walker, following their Best Song of the Year win at the Trace Awards held in Tanzania earlier this year.
The celebration took place at Johnnie Walker’s head office in Midrand, Gauteng, on Friday, 11 April, where the hitmakers were honoured for their impact on the African music scene. The two artists, whose real names are Thatohatsi “Titom” Mathobela and Bongani “Yuppe” Sibanyoni, were visibly grateful and shared how this recognition validates their hard work and dedication to their craft.
“A win is a win. We won, and this is a reward for our hard work. The fact that you are here means that our work is recognised,” they said during the event.
Speaking with Daily Sun on how they plan to use the prize money, the duo made it clear that they are thinking long-term.
“Business, that’s all we can say. It’s going to work for us, more like funding. We keep getting surprises, and now we can even support our families,” they shared.
The moment was made even more special with words from Natalia Celani, Portfolio Director at Diageo Africa, who emphasized the importance of supporting African talent.
“We are celebrating them because they are among those who put Africa on the map. This is about Africa’s creativity, celebrating and amplifying the momentum that we see across the continent.”
Celani highlighted that the brand’s gesture was not just about handing over a cheque but about empowering creatives and helping them sustain their careers.
“We’ve already seen that the potential is there. Sometimes support means big brands like us stepping forward. We hope this inspires and motivates them to keep doing great things in the music space—and also inspires other artists,” she added.
With Tshwala Bam continuing to dominate playlists and inspire global dance challenges, this latest win signals that Titom and Yuppe are only just getting started. And with new business ventures on the horizon, the future looks brighter than ever for the talented amapiano duo.
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