Naledi Aphiwe's Ascent: From Instagram Recognition to R&B Royalty Sampling

In an extraordinary tale of talent and serendipity, Naledi Aphiwe, the teenage songstress from Inanda, KwaZulu-Natal, has experienced a whirlwind journey from social media buzz to financial success. The pivotal moment in Aphiwe’s burgeoning career came when, in October 2022, Chris Brown posted a clip of her singing to his Instagram stories, hailing her voice as “incredible”. This shout-out skyrocketed her into social media trends, and piqued the interest of global audiences.

Now, a year into this fairytale encounter, Aphiwe has been sampled on the R&B maestro’s 11th studio album "11:11", specifically on a track titled “Shooter”. This dazzling spotlight didn’t just come with fame; it came with a substantial reward of R56,207 – roughly $3,000 – substantially contributing to the launching pad for Aphiwe’s career.

In a conversation with TshisaLIVE, a sister publication of Sowetan, an emotional Aphiwe reflected on how this has transformed her life, “Chris Brown did what I would have never done," she stated, emphasizing the importance of being recognized by someone of Brown's stature when there are countless talented individuals waiting to be discovered. The collaboration has irrevocably altered her family's circumstances, spreading her name far and wide and bettering their living situation.

High on her priority list, Aphiwe intends to purchase a new phone to continue creating content and pushing her music. Additionally, she aims to fulfill a more sentimental aspiration by improving her late mother’s grave as a gesture of gratitude.

This remarkable journey had a starting point. Aphiwe Myongwana, better known as Naledi Aphiwe, boasted over 80,000 Instagram followers, a testament to her popularity and potential. She capitalized on her newfound fame by releasing two songs, with local talents like Nomfundo Moh and Fezeka Dlamini. As she navigates her first year in the industry, Aphiwe sets her sights on collaborating with more South African artists, moulding her future in the music landscape.

Encouragement comes from within her circle as well, with her sister, Nontokozo Mkhize of "Lu Strong" fame, offering guidance. Aphiwe's family history is steeped in music, and whilst there's a degree of protectiveness from her siblings, the support is unwavering. They offer advice and precautionary tales from the music industry while championing her talents.

Amidst this wave of success, Aphiwe remains committed to her education, flagging it as a major priority. Her prolific academic performance at Khethokuhle Secondary School allows her to balance music with her studies. She is particularly appreciative of her isiZulu and life orientation teacher, Thami Bhengu, whose support and pivotal role in recording a class performance contributed immensely to her contemporary journey.

Naledi Aphiwe's story is a lesson in potential, stemming from supportive home and school environments and catapulted by modern technology’s reach. With her feet planted firmly in both her education and ascending music career, Aphiwe’s star seems set to rise even further.