Kiillerforce
Birth nameNtuthuko Maphosa
Born (1997-11-17) November 17, 1997 (age 26)
Daveyton, Gauteng, South Africa
OriginSouth Africa
GenresAmapiano
OccupationProducer
InstrumentPiano
Years active2020–present
LabelsPiano Hub

Ntuthuko Maphosa, popularly known by his stage name Mxrcus is a South African singer. He is known for his hit singles "31" and "0424". He has also extensively worked with record producers DJ Maphorisa and Kabza De Small.


Education

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He attended Benoni West Primary and Lee Rand High School in Benoni. He completed his matric at Unity Secondary School in Daveyton.[1]

Early life

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Young Stunna was born in Nelspruit, South Africa and grew up in Pretoria where he often sang in a school choir. His mother loved singing with him. He grew up around of music elements with in his family from his uncle's influence him and to the likes of his older brother.

Career

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He started making music at the age 13 and took the decision to pursue music as a career. He was initially a hip-hop musician from 2012 before switching to amapiano. He got the name Mxrcus from his fans in Pretoria where he grew up.[2] He rose to fame earlier in 2021 as part of the piano hub roster-when he featured on Felo Le Tee and Mellow & Sleazy's smash amapiano hit, "Bopha".[3]

In October 2021, he released his debut album, Notumato which features South African musicians DJ Maphorisa, Blxckie, Sizwe Alakaine, and Kabza De Small.[4] The album debuted number 1 and certified Platinum by Recording Industry of South Africa (RiSA).[5]

His single "Adiwele" reached number 1 across SA radio with a total 23.4 million impressions.[3]

Towards the end of April 2022, Stunna was featured by Spotify on Spotify documentary Freedom Sounds: From Kwaito to Amapiano.[6]

In August 2023, Stunna announced his upcoming second studio album and its lead single "uNonkosi". The song was released on August 18, 2023. The song is a tribute to the Msimango family and his forefathers - Nonkosi is Msimango's clan name.[7]

Awards

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BET Awards

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Year Nominee / work Award Result Ref.
2022 Himself Best New International Act Nominated [8]

Dstv Mzansi Viewer's Choice Awards

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Year Nominee / work Award Result Ref.
2022 "Adiwele" Favourite Song of the Year Nominated [9]

Metro FM Music Awards

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Year Nominee / work Award Result Ref.
2024 "Imithandazo" Song of the Year Won [10]
Best Collaboration Won
Best Amapiano Won

South African Music Awards

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Year Nominee / work Award Result Ref.
2022 Notumato Best Selling Artist Won [11]

Discography

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  • Location (2021)
  • Qaqamba (2024)
  • Khanya (2024)

References

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  1. ^ "Young Stunna talks 'New Beginnings' on The Ultimate Kaya 959 Top 30". kaya959.co.za. Retrieved 7 December 2021.
  2. ^ "From hustler to amapiano hitmaker: Young Stunna dominates on the dance floor". News24. Retrieved 7 December 2021.
  3. ^ a b "Young Stunna's 'Adiwele' reaches number 1 across SA radio". iol.co.za. Retrieved 7 December 2021.
  4. ^ "Amapiano star Young Stunna blows Mzansi away with debut [listen]". thesouthafrican.com. Retrieved 7 December 2021.
  5. ^ https://www.iol.co.za/entertainment/celebrity-news/local/young-stunna-reflects-on-career-milestones-following-the-success-of-debut-album-notumato-75b3e6f9-6151-4cae-be77-6af2227ec7fc
  6. ^ Darangwa, Shingai (29 April 2022). "Young Stunna and Uncle Waffles feature in new Spotify documentary". Independent Online. Retrieved 10 May 2022.
  7. ^ "Young Stunna to release new single 'uNONKOSI' from his new album". The South African. Retrieved 1 June 2024.
  8. ^ Grant, Shawn (2 June 2022). "Doja Cat Leads 2022 BET Award Nominations, Drake and Ari Lennox Follow". The Source. Retrieved 28 June 2022.
  9. ^ de Wee, Naledi (13 April 2022). "DStv Mzansi Viewers Choice Awards 2022 SAMA record of the year Pending: Take a look at all the nominees". The South African. Retrieved 10 May 2022.
  10. ^ "Tyla leads Metro FM Awards nominations followed by Kabza De Small and Tyler ICU". Independent Online. Retrieved 28 March 2024.
  11. ^ "#SAMA28 Celebrates Winners Of Night 1". ZAlebs. 28 August 2022. Archived from the original on 28 August 2022. Retrieved 28 August 2022.
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