Amapiano star Mr JazziQ is on a mission to merge South Africa’s thriving music scene with its passionate car culture — and he believes both have the power to conquer the world.
The 30-year-old hitmaker, born Tumelo Manyoni, told Daily Sun that while Amapiano continues to gain momentum globally, many artists are still limiting themselves due to a lack of structure and professionalism.
“Our genre is powerful. I’ve performed around the world and every time South African music plays, the energy in the room changes,” he said. “But to really take it global, we need to improve things like media training, time management, and have clear strategies as artists.”
Mr JazziQ also reflected on Amapiano’s early days, describing it as a movement built by underdogs.
“We were rebels when we started. No one thought we’d last five years,” he said. “To the young ones feeling gatekept today: fight! Llwa ntombo!”
But JazziQ’s love for expression goes beyond beats and basslines — it also lives under the hood.
“I’ve always loved cars,” he said. “As a kid, I would wait for my uncle to come home just so I could sit in his car and play music. That was my church at eight years old.”
That passion has since grown into a successful lifestyle event: Stance Social — a unique blend of car culture and Amapiano vibes. Now in its third edition, the event has grown steadily, with this year’s show moving to the iconic Old Park Station in Newtown, Joburg, on 1 November.
“Previously we held it in Alex, but we wanted to make it more accessible,” said JazziQ. “We’ve added new categories to our stance car competitions, and we’ve got some special guests pulling up. You’ll have to follow our socials to see who!”
According to JazziQ, Stance Social is more than just a showcase — it’s a celebration of community.
“We’ve created a space where car lovers, music fans, and creatives can all come together. That’s what Mzansi is about — vibes, culture, and connection.”
With one foot in the music world and another on the gas pedal, Mr JazziQ is proving that innovation and culture can drive each other — all the way to the top.
