South African Amapiano star Young Stunna has celebrated what he calls a “dream come true” after being featured on Emtee’s newly released album DIY 3 Deluxe, reinforcing how far he has come since his humble beginnings.
The deluxe edition of DIY 3 — dropped as a surprise by Emtee via Emtee Records and Empire — expands the project with new tracks and collaborations, amplifying the excitement across the South African music scene.Young Stunna appears on two songs: the opener “Dreams 2.0” and track 10 (“Benithini Ngam’”) — placements that underscore his growing prominence and versatility.
🎯 From Cover Artist to Featured Star
In a heartfelt Instagram post (since re-posted after deleting an earlier comment), Young Stunna reflected on his journey:
“2019 I was covering songs, fast forward 2025 I’m on jams with the GOAT. Features on No.1 & 10, too special. ❤️ God is Good, now we generational. @emteethehustla big love gangly.”
He described the collaboration as a milestone — a transition from doing covers to standing side-by-side with one of South Africa’s hip-hop heavyweights.
The significance is even greater when you consider Young Stunna’s roots: from performing covers online to becoming a recognized name in the Amapiano and now hip-hop scenes. The DIY 3 Deluxe placement “feels like validation,” he said.
🔥 Why the Collab Resonates
Cross-genre fusion: The inclusion of an Amapiano artist like Young Stunna on a trap-heavy hip-hop album underscores a growing trend in South Africa — blending genres and crossing musical boundaries. Young Stunna brings melodic flair to Emtee’s gritty, street-wise sound.
Strong placement spots: Opening the album with “Dreams 2.0” gives him prime exposure; another feature mid-album on “Benithini Ngam’” helps sustain listener engagement.
Fan and community reaction: On release, many fans took to social media to praise the pairing — calling Emtee & Young Stunna “the best attacking duo,” and hailing their collab as “instant classic.”
One fan wrote: “Emtee & Stunna, if it was football I would call them the best attacking duo. What an early Xmas.” Another said: “Man, I can’t stop praising these bangers… the way Young Stunna enters that track — the flow, the hook, the baseline, the elements, it’s something else.”
🎧 What This Means for Both Artists — and SA Music
For Young Stunna, this collaboration marks a turning point: from his Amapiano beginnings to working with a respected hip-hop veteran, his reach and credibility expand across genres. It also opens the door to more high-profile features, and might attract fans of hip-hop who might not have explored Amapiano before.
For Emtee, bringing in an Amapiano voice like Young Stunna adds diversity and fresh energy to DIY 3 Deluxe. It demonstrates an openness to experiment, and recognition that genre-blending can resonate deeply with listeners looking for new sounds.
This collaboration is also reflective of a broader trend in South African music: borders between genres are blurring, and artists are increasingly redefining what it means to succeed — by embracing versatility, collaboration, and cross-scene unity.
