Release Date Confirmed
Renowned producer and DJ Airburn Sounds is gearing up to release his highly anticipated single CRUSH YAM on Friday, 12 September 2025. The track features powerhouse collaborators Mawhoo, Optimist Music SA, and BoontleRSA.
A Song About Longing and Innocence
CRUSH YAM is described as a soothing, melodic Amapiano record that captures the innocence of having a crush—playful yet filled with vulnerability. The track explores themes of romance, affection, and unspoken love, wrapped in rhythmic beats and a soft guitar infusion.
Airburn Sounds calls it “a page from a secret diary—tender, vulnerable, and poetic Amapiano.”
Balancing Vocals and Emotions
Mawhoo’s delicate vocals add a feminine balance to the track, blending seamlessly with the male vocals of Optimist and BoontleRSA. The artists collectively express their shyness and vulnerability in love, creating a lighthearted but deeply relatable sound.
BoontleRSA describes the track as fun and melodic, while Mawhoo says it’s different from anything she’s done before. Optimist adds that the song came together naturally and unforced.
Behind the Collaboration
The track was born at a music camp hosted by Mawhoo, where Airburn Sounds was one of the lead producers. BoontleRSA created the hook’s melody, Mawhoo jumped in with her verse, and Optimist refined the song with final touches.
Initially intended for Mawhoo’s album, CRUSH YAM was later re-recorded and perfected, making it a standalone release under Airburn Sounds.
Crafting the Sound
Though the beat was laid down in just a few hours, the team revisited the track for fine adjustments. The song carries a soulful Amapiano essence with Afro-Soul guitar elements, making it fresh and unique.
“It’s simple, mellow, and fun—a love song that anyone, young or old, can relate to,”
says Airburn.
What’s Next for Airburn Sounds
Airburn is already lining up his next release at the end of September 2025, featuring Zuma, Azi, and S’Villa. An EP packed with star-studded collaborations will follow soon after.
“My sound is versatile. It blends Soul, Afro-Soul, Amapiano, Kwaito, and Afrobeats. I can’t be boxed in,”
Airburn explains.
About Airburn Sounds
Real name Thabo Mahundla, Airburn Sounds hails from Alexandra and Thembisa, with roots in Limpopo. A self-taught producer and DJ, he rose to fame through DJ competitions as a teen before working with some of Africa’s biggest stars.
He has produced for Zanda Zakuza, Mr Brown, Makhadzi, Boity, Rethabile Khumalo, Nokwazi, and even international icons like Akon and Jamaican artist Ka$e.
His unreleased projects include features with Sir Trill, Kabza De Small, Mulest Vankay, Naledi Aphiwe, Soulful G, and many more. With a style that fuses Tech, Dance, Afro, and Amapiano, Airburn Sounds continues to expand his footprint both locally and internationally.
