At DJ Maphorisa’s glittering birthday celebration, we caught up with Amapiano sensation Bontle Smith, who opened up about how the iconic producer transformed her life. Bontle shared heartfelt reflections on her journey from a nine-to-five accountant to an artist commanding the stage and tripling her former salary.
New Music and Playful Commentary
Bontle also teased her latest single, Vimba, a track that takes a humorous yet insightful look at the sometimes challenging relationships between artists and venue promoters.
A Star Born in Thembisa
Born and raised in Thembisa, Bontle always knew she was destined for the stage. Her musical journey began at the University of Johannesburg, where she joined a contemporary singing group called Current of Blackness. This experience, coupled with her introduction to DJ Giggs Superstar from Soul Candi, led to her first feature on Deep House Chronicles 4 and sparked her love for house music.
A Collaboration-Fueled Career
In 2018, Bontle collaborated with African music heavyweight Cassper Nyovest on Gets Getsa, a standout track from his Sweet and Short (Deluxe Edition) album. A year later, she crossed paths with DJ Maphorisa, who signed her to his independent label, Blaqboy Music. This partnership saw Bontle featured on a string of hits, including Lerato on Scorpion Kings, Alalahi on PianoHub, and the smash hit Sandton from the multi-platinum The Return of the Scorpion Kings.
Her momentum only grew in 2020, as she delivered unforgettable vocals on hits like Amanikiniki with MFR Souls and Sam Sokolo from Kabza De Small’s chart-topping album, I Am the King of Amapiano: Sweet & Dust. She also appeared on Major League DJz’s Pianochella! project, lending her voice to Sghubu and Thanda Wena.
The Future is Bright
Now an established name in the Amapiano scene, Bontle continues to collaborate with industry titans like Kabza De Small, Mas Musiq, and Major League DJz, cementing her reputation as one of the genre’s brightest stars.
‘VIMBA’ IS OUT NOW!
Listen here.
