Amapiano pioneer, Dj Sumbody gunned down in Johannesburg

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DJ Sumbody, a pioneer of Amapiano and a music producer, has passed away. In the early hours of Sunday morning in Johannesburg, Oupa John Sefoka passed away. The vehicle was driven by hitmakers Monate Mpolaye and Ayep yep. A hail of bullets was fired toward the driver’s side.Dj Sumbody’s bodyguard was also reported to have been shot during the event. A third individual, who was driving a different vehicle, is also said to have suffered bullet wounds. Family spokeswoman Mmanake Mokiti confirmed the music producer’s passing in a statement.

“Artist and musician DJ Sumbody has died. Details of his untimely death cannot be released but the artist named Oupa John Sefoka allegedly ran into an unfortunate incident that led to his passing in the early hours of Sunday morning,” said the spokesperson. The Sefoka family and the management of Sumsounds Music have asked for privacy at this trying time, Mokiti continued, and another statement will be made available when it is appropriate. As photos of what appears to be Sumbody’s car flood social media, the media community and Mzansi are left in disbelief. Lt-Col Mavela Masondo, a spokesperson for the Gauteng Police, told media on Sunday that the shooting happened just after midnight in Sandton, Johannesburg, at the intersection of Woodmead Drive and Woodland Drive.

“Upon arrival at the scene, police found two people inside a VW Golf with gunshot wounds. Both victims, a driver, and a passenger were certified dead on the scene. “It was reported that the third victim, who was driving a BMW X5, was taken to the nearest medical care center after sustaining gunshot wounds,” Masondo said.

“The motive for the shooting is unknown at this stage. Police appeal to anyone with information that can help in the investigation or assist in the apprehension of the suspects to please call the crime stop number on 08600 10111 or report to the nearest police station.” Family spokesperson Mmanake Mokitimi confirmed DJ Sumbody’s death but declined to speak about the circumstances around his death.

“Details of his untimely death cannot be released but the artist…ran into an unfortunate incident that led to his passing in the early hours of Sunday morning, 20 November 2022,” Mokitimi said. She declined to confirm whether the artist had died of unnatural causes or not.

“Everything is under investigation. We will give you all details once everything has been settled. Please allow us to finalise everything as a family and then we will give you accurate details. At this moment, we just want some privacy please. As a family we are still at the police station,” she said.

DJ Sumbody was supposed to appear at The Secret Door nightclub in Pretoria on Saturday night, based on his social media activity. Prior to his passing, the Ayep Yep founder is seen in an Instagram Stories video smoking a cigar with the message “Back to basics.” On Sunday, he was supposed to host the All White Veuve Picnic at Menlyn, Maine.

The Iyamemeza hitmaker initially began transporting commuters on early-morning taxi routes in order to raise money for vinyl records while still in high school. He operated the taxis for his father. The radio was another interest of the music producer. He worked as a volunteer at the Tshwane community radio station before getting his big break in the music business.DJ Sumbody enrolled at the Tshwane University of Technology but dropped out after at his second year because he couldn’t put his love of music any longer. He continued to work toward being a House DJ.

The co-founder of Ayepyep Lifestyle, a power suit restaurant by day and a club by night, was the artist Ashi Nthwela. In addition to owning Ayepyep, he was also a founding member of Jamoloto & Son Transport, a family-run transportation company. He was the owner of SumSounds Productions, a music production company.

He was the creator of the Tshwane-aired program Mashaedi on the Engage. The renowned Deejay achieved fame and recognition on a national level in 2018 after releasing the song Monate Mpolaye. In addition, he released a number of albums that were well received and helped him become successful in the music industry. His albums include Ashi Nthwela and Larger Than House (Vol. 1 & 2).

The musician’s departure occurs as Mzansi continues to grieve the loss of Pearl Shongwe, an anchor for Daily Thetha and Metro FM. Last week, the TV host’s body was discovered in her Polo Fields residence. Shongwe was buried on Saturday at the Welfare Center in Soweto’s Diepkloof Zone 1. Nonhlahla Shongwe, her sister, offered her a moving homage.

Nonhlanhla said she was struggling to say her final goodbye to her sister “I know I’m not ready to say goodbye, so I can’t say goodbye. This for me is until we meet again. Everyone calls her mamkhulu, there’s a lot I want to tell you about u Thumbu. It was very evident since she was young that she was going to be a brighter star. We taught we loved, and we cried. I just want you to know that you mean the world to us.”

Mo Flava, a DJ and host for Metro FM, also paid tribute to Shongwe and discussed how she had influenced his life.“She’s done so much for me in my career … As much as she was a star … she was a star because she was talented. But she was also a star because she was able to bring a shine to your life. She helped me become better at what I do. Whether she was my manager at some point as a DJ, a co-host on a radio show, or news. She helped me shine. She had an incredible impact on my life,” he said.

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