​Amapiano star DJ Sumbody murdered in drive-by shooting

Amapiano star DJ Sumbody has been murdered in a drive-by shooting in Johannesburg, his record label confirmed on Sunday.

“Artist and musician DJ Sumbody has died,” reads a statement posted by the artist’s record label, Sumsounds Music, on Sunday, November 20.

“Details of his untimely death cannot be released but the artist named Oupa John Sekofa allegedly ran into an unfortunate incident that led to his passing in the early hours of Sunday morning, 20 November 2022.”

“Details surrounding his passing cannot be disclosed as investigations are still ongoing,” Sumsounds added, shortly before News24 confirmed that the amapiano star was killed in a drive-by shooting.

According to the outlet, police are currently searching for suspects “following a shooting in Woodmead where two people died, and one was seriously injured,” the South African Police Service appealed to the public.

Paramedics pronounced both DJ Sumbody and his bodyguard dead on the scene. Tributes are now pouring in for the amapiano pioneer, who had been producing music for some five years.

“Sad news to wake up to. Rest in peace my brother. Condolences to your loved ones, colleagues, team, partners, close friends and family,” wrote DJ Sbu on Instagram.

“Lord please receive this gentle soul. Here's my Brother DJ Sumbody leaving us heartbroken,” Too Touch posted on Twitter.

DJ Sumbody was known for his pioneering efforts in amapiano, first breaking through in 2019 with his debut album ‘Ashi Nthwela’, and later producing what would become his most popular track and amapiano staple, ’Iyamemeza’, in 2021.

Read some of the tributes coming in for DJ Sumbody below.

Gemma Ross is Mixmag's Editorial Assistant, follow her on Twitter