South African Amapiano producer and DJ Stixx is embracing the path he once tried to walk away from, turning years of musical exploration into his third studio album, DESTINY. The 20-track project is more than another addition to the country’s ever-expanding Amapiano catalogue. It is a reflection of personal growth, musical identity and the importance of recognising when something is simply part of who you are.
Born Samuel Seloane and raised in KwaThema on Gauteng’s East Rand, Stixx grew up surrounded by music. But despite having sound woven into his upbringing, pursuing it professionally was not always the obvious choice. After exploring other career paths, he eventually found himself returning to the one thing that had always been present.
Now, with DESTINY, he appears more comfortable than ever in his creative identity.
When Music Becomes More Than a Passion
For Stixx, the relationship with music started early. Playing drums from the age of two, he developed an instinct for rhythm long before entering music production in 2015.
His journey has since taken him through different musical influences, including deep house, gospel, Afro-soul and R&B. Rather than limiting himself to one sound, he has drawn from these foundations to develop a distinctive approach to Amapiano.
That willingness to experiment has also seen him explore Kwapi, a fusion of Amapiano and kwaito that connects contemporary dance music with sounds that have long shaped South African musical culture.
His journey offers a familiar reminder for young creatives navigating careers, expectations and uncertainty: sometimes discovering your purpose involves exploring everything else first.
‘Amablomo’ Brings Love Into the Conversation
One of the album’s standout moments is Amablomo, featuring Babalwa M and De Rose. The collaboration moves beyond the dancefloor, exploring the emotional complexities of maintaining a relationship when misunderstandings and distance begin to creep in.
At its heart, the song speaks about wanting to feel appreciated, valued and reassured. Its storytelling highlights the importance of communication and the small gestures that can make a meaningful difference in relationships.
Even something as simple as buying flowers becomes a reminder that love requires effort, attention and a willingness to choose each other through difficult moments.
It is this emotional dimension that gives the track another layer, demonstrating how Amapiano continues to create space for everyday experiences and relatable storytelling.
Building a Sound That Carries South African Roots
Stixx’s growth has been reflected in an increasingly impressive catalogue. His 2023 debut album, Test of Time, accumulated more than 6.3 million Spotify streams, while Dlala Stixx surpassed 1.7 million.
His collaborative work has pushed that momentum further. Dust 2 Dust with Nvcho has accumulated over 9.5 million Spotify streams, while Kings Of Kwapi Vol. 1, released alongside Sam Deep and Nvcho in 2025, has surpassed 11 million streams and earned a nomination for Best Produced Album at the 2026 Metro FM Music Awards.
More recently, projects such as The Dawn and Market Place 2.0 featuring The Bless have explored connections between contemporary production and the musical legacy of South African jazz legend Hugh Masekela.
These projects point to something bigger than streaming numbers. They reflect an artist interested in where South African music comes from and where it could go next.
DESTINY Is About Owning the Journey
Across its 20 tracks, DESTINY brings together the experiences, influences and creative decisions that have shaped Stixx’s career.
For an artist who once considered other professional directions, the album represents a shift from questioning his place in music to confidently occupying it.
And perhaps that is the project’s most relatable message. In a world where young South Africans are constantly encouraged to have everything figured out, Stixx’s journey suggests that finding your direction can take time.
Sometimes, the thing you are searching for has been with you all along.
Stixx’s third studio album, DESTINY, is available now on major digital streaming platforms.
Listen here: http://africori.to/destiny
