Dezemba is loading – and this song is going to be one to remember!
Mapara A Jazz’s ‘John Vuli Gate’, featuring Ntosh Gazi and Calano, sparked the #JohnVuliGate dance challenge in October – think a robotic, slow-motion twerk followed by elaborate steps. The lyrics translated are essentially, “Here come the ‘stocko’ / John go open the gate," with ‘stocko’ meaning party girls.
The trend was sparked when a group of girls celebrating their friend’s birthday at a garage and jamming to the song went viral. It went from a WhatsApp status to the worldwide web, being reacted to globally on YouTube, and it secured the girls gigs and brand endorsements.
The song was inspired by this moment from the Oscar-winning film ‘Tsotsi’:
The duo behind this banger, Mapara A Jazz aka Mano Nephawe and Leonard Malatji, are from Pitori, and they’re also known for producing Bacardi house, which they told Drum makes their amapiano stuff sound “more raw”.
This more current video of the #JohnVuliGate challenge is currently the number one trend on YouTube in SA, with over one million views!
The track has rocketed into Shazam’s Global Chart, has been adopted as a campaign slogan by the DA’s John Steenhuisen, has received props from the Scorpion Kings Kabza De Small and DJ Maphorisa – and on Sunday it gets a spin on the Idols SA stage!
We expect you’ll all be dancing in front of the TV and we cannot wait!
Season 16 of Idols SA broadcasts on Sundays at 17:00 on Mzansi Magic Channel 161. Get exclusive updates and a behind the scenes look at all the action right here on our site. Don't forget to join the conversation by following us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram using the hashtag #IdolsSA.