Sowetan

There’s no stopping Jerusalema

Artist feels validated as hit leads Shazam chart

- By Emmanuel Tjiya –

Master KG has made history by becoming the first African artist to top the Shazam Global Chart with his smash hit Jerusalema featuring Nomcebo Zikode.

The American music-identifica­tion applicatio­n owned by Apple Inc confirmed to Sowetan yesterday that not only did Master KG top the chart, but it was also a history-making feat as no African artist has ever topped the Shazam Global Chart.

“It means a lot to me. It validates the path I’m on. It means the world is moving to Jerusalema and they want to know more about the song and the artists behind it,” Master KG, whose real name is Kgaogelo Moagi, told Sowetan yesterday.

“It’s a big deal to me and Nomcebo. It’s blessings on top of blessings. God is amazing.”

According to the latest data breakdown by Shazam, Jerusalema spent 18 consecutiv­e weeks on the chart before climbing to No 1.

Furthermor­e, the song has charted in 35 countries on Shazam, reaching the top spot in nine of them SA, France, Italy, Romania, Belgium, Spain, Switzerlan­d, Bulgaria and the Netherland­s.

The song has been most Shazamed in France, Italy, Nigeria, SA and Romania.

In February 2018, Master KG was first Shazamed in SA with his other hit, Skeleton Move, which at 5pm yesterday had been searched 401,326th times on Shazam.

It has been a busy month for Master KG as he continues to take over the global market.

Jerusalema reached 100 millittle lion views on YouTube two weeks ago.

Master KG gained Portuguese and Juventus superstar Cristiano Ronaldo as a fan when he was seen on Instagram jamming to the song last week.

The same week legendary American singer Janet Jackson sent Master KG a shoutout on Twitter with a video of a girl dancing to the hit.

American rap star Chance The Rapper did the same a few days later.

Master KG admitted that it has all been overwhelmi­ng.

“It does get overwhelmi­ng. I find myself wondering what’s next and I always get surprised with every big milestone.

“I didn’t set out to be praised or win awards, all I wanted was to make music and entertain people,” he said.

Master KG revealed the little girl that featured in Jackson’s tweet was featured in a music video for his other song, Superstar, after the video of her breaking it down to Jerusalema went viral.

“She was recommende­d to the producers of the video and I was happy to see her skills.”

‘ ‘ It’sa big deal to me and Nomcebo... it’s blessings

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 ?? /VELI NHLAPO ?? Musician and producer Master KG is on top of the world with his hit ‘Jerusalema’.
/VELI NHLAPO Musician and producer Master KG is on top of the world with his hit ‘Jerusalema’.

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