Dynamic amapiano duo TitoM and Yuppe, known for their infectious track "Tshwala Bam", have taken their careers to new heights by securing a $15,000 (approximately R290k) prize from Johnnie Walker.
This prize follows their Best Song of the Year win at Trace Awards earlier this year.
The prize-giving celebration was held at Johnnie Walker’s head office in Midrand, Gauteng, on April 11, where the artists were honoured for their significant influence on the African music scene.
"A win is a win. We won and this is a reward for our hard work. The fact that you are here means that our work is recognised," shared the duo.
The pair said that they would be investing their prize money in business ventures.
“Business, that’s all we can say. It’s going to work for us, more like funding. We keep getting surprises, and now we can even support our families,” they shared in an online interview.
During the prize-giving, Natalia Celani, portfolio director at Diageo Africa, spoke passionately about the importance of empowering African talent.
“We are celebrating them because they are among those who put Africa on the map. This is about Africa’s creativity, celebrating and amplifying the momentum that we see across the continent."
The 2025 Trace Awards were held in Zanzibar, Tanzania, in February.
Soon after collecting their award, TitoM and Yuppe shared: "We're so grateful for this. It means a lot to us. It shows that our work has finally paid off; our work is like seen ... Also like to send a shout out to our team, Boundary Entertainment and all our fans, it means a lot, we appreciate it."
Trace Awards brought together some of the best Afro-urban artists, including Rema, Diamond Platnumz, Yemi Alade, Harmonize, Josey, Kind Promise, Chelsea Dinorath, and Zuchu, to deliver electrifying performances that captivated audiences.
As "Tshwala Bam" continues to captivate audiences worldwide, fomenting global dance challenges and sweeping across playlists, TitoM and Yuppe are preparing to release their new song, "Banyana Ba Pitori".