The amapiano musician Young Stunna has released his long-awaited second album titled 'Busisiwe'. This deeply personal project is dedicated to a woman who played a significant role in shaping the artist's personality and creative path.
The album, consisting of 16 tracks, was released on Wednesday, October 21st. Its release marks an important milestone in the musician's career, as it appeared exactly five years after the release of his debut album 'Notumato', which achieved platinum status and was released on the same day in 2021.
For this award-winning songwriter, 'Busisiwe' holds special significance because his real name is Sandisile Msimango. In a post on Facebook, he announced that the album is a tribute to his late great-grandmother, whom he affectionately called Mama. He emphasized that this woman's love, guidance, and unwavering support played a decisive role in his upbringing and creative development.
Sharing the story behind the album's title, Young Stunna recounted growing up under the care of his great-grandmother and grandmothers. He described this experience as a blessing that gave him a solid foundation of love and belonging. Her name was Busisiwe, but in their family, she was simply called Mama due to the care she showed everyone around her.
She ensured that the children never went to bed hungry and made sure no one was left behind, creating a home where family and mutual support were priorities. He shared a memory: 'From the day we were born until we got our first money, she was always there,' recalling the woman who cared for everyone.
For the musician, these early years were not only connected to family bonds; they helped shape his outlook on life and instilled values that continue to influence him today.
Long before he gained fame and success in the amapiano scene, Young Stunna had a person who believed in his potential even when others doubted his ambitions. He revealed that his great-grandmother never prevented him from pursuing music. On the contrary, she actively supported his dream, providing funds for performance trips and ensuring he had enough money to return home safely.
He recalled: 'She believed so strongly in my dreams, even when everyone else in the family doubted them.' Her belief provided him with support at a time when his pursuit of a music career was not always understood or supported by all family members. This steadfast support became an important part of the story behind 'Busisiwe', turning the album into a personal expression of gratitude to the person who supported him before the wider world knew about him.
Young Stunna's great-grandmother's influence extended beyond the values she taught him at home, spreading to two defining elements of his artistic identity: music and fashion. As a choir member herself, Mama introduced him to a musical environment that left an indelible mark on the young artist's life. He remembered how her choir regularly took first place, making their performances a source of inspiration.
Music was also integrated into family life through the Sunday services she held at home. Young Stunna jokingly noted that there was no escaping church, but the songs he heard during these gatherings gave him a sense of comfort and confidence. He explained that these gospel influences helped him feel that everything would ultimately be alright.
As for fashion, it all started with small childhood experiments. Young Stunna shared that he would take his great-grandmother's shirts and pair them with chinos, developing his understanding of clothing and style from an early age. This early exposure contributed to the development of his unique creative self-expression, and the musician noted that this was one reason he never needed a stylist. Thus, much of what the audience sees in him today started at home.
For an artist whose music has become part of the thriving amapiano movement in South Africa, the release of a second album is a major career event in itself. However, by naming the project after his great-grandmother, Young Stunna transformed 'Busisiwe' into an intimate celebration of family, heritage, faith, and the people who believe in us before success arrives.
His tribute also offers fans a more personal look at the experiences that shaped his artistry—from childhood church songs to the choice of fashion that became his own creative signature. Addressing his late great-grandmother, he wrote: 'Mama, this album is yours.' He concluded his heartfelt message with a touching acknowledgment of her continued place in his life, expressing his love and wishing her eternal peace.