South African music lovers are celebrating as Mthandeni SK and MaWhoo smashed streaming records with their latest collaboration — the track Dubai — which surged past 1 million streams within its first 24 hours of release.
On Instagram, Mthandeni SK proudly announced the milestone with a simple post: “1 Million in ONE day #DUBAI.” MaWhoo, too, shared her gratitude, writing: “Dubai hits 1 million views in 24 hours, trending number 1 on YouTube, thanks for the love!” Their posts lit up social media and sparked excitement across the country.
🎶 What Makes “Dubai” Special
“Dubai” isn’t just another single — it’s a celebration of sound, culture, and collaboration. The track blends Mthandeni SK’s signature traditional Maskandi style with MaWhoo’s contemporary Amapiano flavour, creating a fusion that appeals to fans across generations. Many listeners have described it as the ideal soundtrack for end-of-year celebrations and festive moods.
Alongside the strong reception on streaming platforms, “Dubai” debuted at the top of charts: according to recent YouTube South Africa daily chart data, the track was #1 with roughly 1,026,206 streams on the first listed day.
This isn’t Mthandeni SK and MaWhoo’s first time making waves together. Their previous collaboration, Gucci, already made history — becoming the first Maskandi-Amapiano cross-genre track to hit 1 million YouTube views within 24 hours, and gaining massive traction on streaming platforms.
For Mthandeni SK — whose career has been defined by a willingness to push traditional Maskandi boundaries — “Dubai” signals a bold evolution. And for MaWhoo — a rising Amapiano voice — it cements her reputation as one of the genre’s most exciting talents.
🔥 Fans Are Loving It
Almost immediately after the release, social media exploded with praise. Comments flooded in — many in isiZulu — applauding the duo’s chemistry, the vibrant beat, and the song’s cross-genre appeal. One fan wrote (in Zulu): “Ushungami phansikweteki inamathele lento.” Another celebrated the trio of hits from Mthandeni SK, naming “Paris”, “Gucci” and “Dubai” as standout tracks.
What stands out to many is how “Dubai” bridges the gap between traditional and modern South African music: Maskandi’s storytelling and cultural roots meeting Amapiano’s youthful energy and contemporary rhythm. For many, it’s a refreshing — and much-needed — crossover.
📈 What This Means for Their Careers
According to streaming-data charts, Mthandeni SK continues to rack up impressive numbers: as of late 2025, his catalogue shows tens of millions of streams across platforms — evidence of consistent popularity and reach.
“Dubai” launching with 1 million streams in 24 hours suggests the track has potential to be one of this season’s biggest hits. Given how quickly fans and critics have embraced it, it could also open doors for more cross-genre collaborations, bigger performances, and broader visibility beyond traditional genre fans.
For MaWhoo — who’s already been nominated for multiple awards (including recognition at UKhozi FM) — this success adds further momentum. For Mthandeni SK, “Dubai” reinforces his reputation as a trailblazer in bringing Maskandi to new audiences and contexts.
🎉 Looking Ahead
As 2025 draws near its end, “Dubai” stands out as one of the season’s most dynamic releases, capturing the spirit of festivity, unity and musical innovation. The early numbers suggest it could remain on high rotation well into 2026, especially across celebrations, parties, and end-of-year events.
For South African music lovers, “Dubai” represents more than a hit song — it’s a bridge between tradition and trend, culture and celebration, old and new. If this collaboration is anything to go by, the future looks bright for artists willing to experiment, evolve, and connect across genres.
