Musa Appreciate Makamu, known to fans as Musa Keys, is a South African singer and music producer. He was born in Giyani and grew up in Flora Park, Polokwane. His music journey took off when his song “Samarian Boy” began to catch attention across the Limpopo region.

However, it was his 2021 hit “Vula Mlomo” that truly made him a household name. The track went on to be certified double platinum by the Recording Industry of South Africa, showing just how much love it received.

By 2023, Musa’s unique style wasn’t just being noticed for his music, but also for his fashion sense. That year, he won the Metro FM Music Award for Best Styled Artist, beating out big names like Mafikizolo, Sjava, Daliwonga, and Sino Msolo.

Profile Summary

Full Name	Musa Makamu
Stage Name	Musa Keys
His Identity	Tsonga Michael Jackson
Place of Birth	Giyani, South Africa
Year of Birth	1990s
Gender	Male
Occupation	Musician
Facebook	@Musa Keys
Twitter	@MusaKeyss
Instagram	@musakeys

Early Life

Musa Keys, born in Giyani and raised in Flora Park, Polokwane, is a South African artist whose journey into music was shaped by both hardship and spiritual growth. While his exact birthdate remains unknown, it’s speculated that he was born sometime in the 1990s.

Growing up, Musa faced a lot of challenges. His father was absent, and his mother, though hardworking, was rarely home due to her job. The uncle who was meant to look after him was also not present, leaving Musa to find comfort and purpose within the church. His church upbringing not only nurtured his spirituality but also steered him toward making better life choices.

While he initially dreamed of becoming an architect or engineer, music found its way into his life early on. Introduced to the keyboard by a friend at Light of the Nation Church, Musa developed a deep love for music. He became an altar boy, usher, and pianist at church, never imagining that music would one day define his future.

Later, he enrolled at Damelin to study Sound Engineering, but by his second year, he dropped out to fully commit to his growing passion for music production and performance. This decision marked the beginning of what would become a successful career in the South African music scene.

Career

At just 13 years old, Musa Keys began his music journey by playing the keyboard at church—a place that not only nurtured his faith but also sparked his creative fire. Although he initially started with trap music, a genre he feels “chose” him, Musa quickly found his rhythm in Amapiano and began shaping his signature sound.

Musa Keys has grown into a key figure in South Africa’s music landscape. He broke into the scene with tracks like “Hey Wena” (2019), “Samarian Boy” (2020)—which dominated South African charts for over three months—and the platinum-certified hit “Vula Mlomo” (2021), featuring Sir Trill and Nobantu Vilakazi.

In his drive to maintain creative control and support other rising talents, he founded Keys Recordings, his own label. Through it, he handles everything from production to distribution, all with a vision to leave a lasting legacy in Amapiano and beyond.

His career reached new heights in 2023 with his feature on Davido’s global hit “Unavailable” from the Timeless album. The collaboration catapulted him to international attention and marked a major milestone in his musical journey.

Personal Life

Musa Keys is currently in a relationship and doesn’t shy away from showing his romantic side. He often shares sweet moments and photos of his girlfriend on social media, giving fans a glimpse into his personal life. His followers have warmly embraced the couple, expressing joy and support for the special woman in his life.

Songs

Albums

2020 – Widlysm

2021 – Tayo

2024 – Rirhandzu

Singles

2022 – M’nike

2023 – Ice Cream

2023 – Mama Se Khaya

2023 – uThando

2023 – Becoming Him (EP)

2024 – Selema (Po Po)

2024 – Mix It Up, Vol 3

2024 – Tshika Ti Small Boys

Awards and Nominations

MTV Europe Music Awards – Best African Act, 2022

South African Music Awards – Record of the Year, 2022

Metro FM Music Awards – Best Styled Artist, 2023

Grammy Awards – Best African Music Performance, 2024