LeeMcKrazy: South Africa’s Amapiano Vocal Sensation

LeeMcKrazy (born Linda Mnisi) has emerged as one of the brightest stars in the Amapiano music scene.

Hailing from the vibrant township of Soweto, South Africa, he is known for his soulful vocals, electrifying stage presence, and catchy signature catchphrase “bare ke Leemecke!”​

From humble beginnings to collaborations with top artists and performances on international stages, LeeMcKrazy’s journey epitomizes the rise of a new Amapiano sensation.

This biography traces his story through early life, musical journey, influences, hit songs, accomplishments, and public presence.

Early Life

LeeMcKrazy was born as Linda Mnisi and raised in Diepkloof Zone 5, Soweto, a township rich in musical culture​

Music has been a part of his life from a very young age. In fact, his musical journey began at the age of five, when he sang in Sunday school at a local church​. Coming from a musically inclined family and active in church, he developed a natural passion for singing early on. 

These early experiences not only honed his vocal talent but also instilled in him a deep love for music and performance.

Growing up in Soweto, LeeMcKrazy drew inspiration from the sounds around him and the artists he admired. He has cited influences such as Buhlebendalo Mda (of the Afro-pop group The Soil) and popular Amapiano vocalist Samthing Soweto as early inspirations for pursuing music​.

As a teenager, he joined various local choirs and eventually became a member of the renowned Diepkloof United Male Voices choir, further refining his vocal skills​.

Despite the challenges of township life, young Linda remained focused on his craft. Notably, he balanced music with education – later completing a degree in Transport Management and Logistics in 2021, an achievement that showcases his determination in and out of music​.

Journey to Amapiano Stardom

In 2015, at around 16 years old, LeeMcKrazy made a bold decision to pursue music professionally​. He immersed himself in the local music scene, performing wherever he could and collaborating with other up-and-coming artists.

His early efforts paid off in building a foundation, but the Amapiano genre – a hybrid of deep house, jazz, and lounge music with a South African twist – was still on the rise. LeeMcKrazy’s versatile voice and background in soulful singing found a perfect home in Amapiano’s emotive, groove-filled sound.

A major turning point came with his debut album “Intando Ka God” in 2021, which marked LeeMcKrazy’s arrival as a recording artist​.

The album’s standout track, “Eloyi,” became his breakthrough song. Within the first week of its release, “Eloyi” amassed over 1.3 million streams, instantly propelling him into the spotlight​.

The song’s success on various digital platforms made LeeMcKrazy a name to watch and opened doors for high-profile collaborations. Reflecting on that period, he often notes it was the moment his leap of faith in 2015 truly paid off.

Riding on the momentum of “Eloyi,” he continued to release music that resonated with Amapiano lovers, steadily building a catalog of hits and fan favorites.

By 2023, he realized he had become a household name when a one-man show he hosted in Soweto drew an overwhelming crowd – a surreal moment where “the pull-up was crazy,” as he recalled​.

LeeMcKrazy’s rise to stardom has been characterized by constant growth. In 2024, he released his sophomore album “Intando Ka God 2.0,” a follow-up that showcases his evolution as an artist​.

He spent months teasing the project on social media with behind-the-scenes studio footage and snippets of new songs, building anticipation among fans​.

When the album finally dropped, he celebrated with an exclusive listening party where he performed alongside Amapiano heavyweights like Nia Pearl, Pabi Cooper, and Focalistic​.

This event underscored how far he’d come – sharing the stage with star collaborators and commanding an audience of industry insiders and fans.

With each career milestone, from hit singles to album releases, LeeMcKrazy has reinforced his status as a leading voice in Amapiano.

Musical Influences and Collaborations

Musically, LeeMcKrazy’s style has been shaped by a blend of influences and a spirit of collaboration. His upbringing exposed him to genres like gospel (through church singing), as well as local Kwaito and jazz, and later the Amapiano sound that was incubating in the townships.

He looked up to vocalists who brought soul into contemporary music – for example, Samthing Soweto’s soulful Amapiano hits clearly left a mark on LeeMcKrazy’s approach.

He has also noted drawing inspiration from hip-hop and R&B artists for their storytelling and stage presence (he proudly identifies as a pantsula, a street-savvy performer who brings authentic township flair to his act​.

All these influences helped LeeMcKrazy forge a distinct vocal delivery that is smooth, emotive, and instantly recognizable in his tracks. Collaboration has been key to LeeMcKrazy’s success. In the early days of his career, he had a stroke of luck when Amapiano star Sir Trill featured him on a song – in fact, Sir Trill later revealed that LeeMcKrazy’s very first Amapiano song was a collaboration with him, giving the young artist a significant early boost.

Over time, LeeMcKrazy has worked with many prominent producers and fellow vocalists in the genre. His breakout single “Eloyi” was a team effort, featuring contributions from producer/DJ Jaivane, vocalist Mashudu, and Sinny Man’Que.

He went on to collaborate with the likes of Mellow & Sleazy and Eltee on the high-energy track “Kokotela,” and with producers Tyler ICU and Khalil Harrison on the hit “Jealousy”​.

When Bassie, another rising Amapiano star, needed vocals to elevate her track “Kwelanga 2.0,” she tapped LeeMcKrazy alongside Tman Xpress – a move that resulted in a chart-topping remix​. LeeMcKrazy has expressed gratitude for these collaborations, saying that each artist he’s worked with “brought something special” and that the studio process was like a “melting pot of talent, creativity, and inspiration”​.

This openness to collaborate has not only broadened his musical range but also ingrained him deeply in the Amapiano community. Whether he’s the lead artist or a featured guest, LeeMcKrazy’s contributions tend to add a golden touch – even earning him a reputation for having the “Midas touch” on dance hits​.

Most Popular Songs

LeeMcKrazy’s discography is filled with tunes that have lit up dance floors and streaming charts.

Here’s a look at some of his most successful songs that define his career so far:

• “Eloyi” (2021) – LeeMcKrazy’s breakout hit from his debut album. A soulful Amapiano anthem featuring Mashudu, DJ Jaivane, and Sinny Man’Que, “Eloyi” put him on the map by garnering 1.3 million+ streams in its first week. The song’s infectious chorus and spiritual undertones made it an instant classic and a turning point in his journey to stardom.

• “Kokotela” (2023) – A high-energy collaboration with producers Mellow & Sleazy, Eltee, Scotts Maphuma, and Gipa, this track became a township party staple. LeeMcKrazy’s catchy chants on “Kokotela” helped the song dominate clubs and radio. It cemented his ability to craft sing-along hooks, and media hailed it as one of the chart-topping dance hits carrying his “Midas touch”​.

• “Jealousy” (2023) – On this fan-favorite song produced by Tyler ICU and Khalil Harrison, LeeMcKrazy lent emotive vocals that resonated widely. The official audio racked up millions of views on YouTube, attesting to its popularity​. “Jealousy” showcases his soulful side, and its relatable lyrics about love and envy connected with a broad audience, further expanding his reach.

• “Kwelanga 2.0” (2024) – Originally a song by vocalist Bassie, the remix “2.0” version became a blockbuster Amapiano hit featuring LeeMcKrazy and Tman Xpress. LeeMcKrazy’s verse and ad-libs added magic to this uplifting track whose title means “the sun” in Zulu. The remix was so successful it went platinum in South Africa​, underlying LeeMcKrazy’s growing impact on the charts. It’s a song that had the whole nation dancing and introduced his talent to new listeners.

• “Ebasini” (2024) – A collaboration led by Tyler ICU (from his Distortion EP), “Ebasini” features LeeMcKrazy alongside Tman Xpress, Visca, Ceeka RSA and others​. The track’s title, meaning “at the venue,” became prophetic as it turned into a party anthem. LeeMcKrazy’s powerful vocal runs in “Ebasini” helped drive the song’s popularity, and it became one of the year’s Amapiano anthems, frequently played by DJs across the country.

Each of these songs highlights a different facet of LeeMcKrazy’s artistry – from gospel-inflected melodies to club-ready chants – and together they have solidified his place in the genre.

Accomplishments and Contributions

In just a few years, LeeMcKrazy has compiled an impressive list of accomplishments in the Amapiano scene.

A proud moment was the release of his debut album “Intando Ka God” in 2021, which introduced his talent to the industry and spawned the hit “Eloyi”​.

The overwhelming response to that album (and especially to “Eloyi”) confirmed that he was onto something special.

He followed this up with “Intando Ka God 2.0” in 2024, a sophomore album that not only demonstrated his growth but also carried a deeper personal meaning – the title translates to “God’s will,” reflecting the faith and resilience that guided him through obstacles in the industry. Critics noted the album’s spiritual theme and praised its blend of pulsing beats and soulful melodies as a reflection of his artistic evolution​.

LeeMcKrazy’s commercial success can be measured in numbers and accolades. Several of his singles have achieved streaming milestones – for instance, “Eloyi” crossing the million-stream mark in days, and “Kwelanga 2.0” achieving Platinum certification in South Africa for its massive sales/streams​.

He has been recognized by the press as “one of the most accomplished vocalists in the Amapiano genre”​ and even dubbed the “biggest amapiano sensation” of his era​.

While still early in his career, these recognitions hint at a future filled with formal awards.

Beyond statistics, LeeMcKrazy’s contributions include bringing a unique vocal style to Amapiano – he often fuses choral harmonies and improvisational flairs, giving tracks a distinct flavor.

Fellow artists have cited him as an inspiration; his journey from choir singer to star vocalist shows a path others aspire to follow.

Notably, LeeMcKrazy’s impact isn’t confined to South Africa – he’s actively contributing to taking Amapiano to the world.

In early 2025, he reached a new milestone by headlining his first international shows in the UK, alongside collaborator Scotts Maphuma.

They performed in Birmingham and London to introduce the Yanos (slang for Amapiano) vibe abroad.

This step marked their rise from local stars to international performers, and was met with excited fans in Europe, proving that the appeal of his music crosses borders.

Around the same time, he had the honor of performing as part of the opening acts for American R&B superstar Chris Brown’s stadium concert in Johannesburg – sharing the stage with major local and international names like Davido, DJ Maphorisa, and Major League DJz​.

This high-profile appearance in front of tens of thousands of fans was both a personal accomplishment and a spotlight for Amapiano on a world stage.

Whether it’s big festival lineups, sold-out hometown shows, or collaborative projects, LeeMcKrazy consistently seizes opportunities to elevate the genre and represent his country’s music.

Social Media and Public Presence

LeeMcKrazy’s vibrant personality and authenticity shine through in his social media and public life. On Instagram, where he boasts over 440,000 followers​, he frequently shares updates about his music, snippets of new songs, and glimpses into his life as an artist.

He effectively used social media to build anticipation for releases – for example, teasing tracks from Intando Ka God 2.0 with studio videos kept fans engaged online.

His catchphrase “bare ke Leemecke!” (loosely, “they say it’s LeeMcKrazy!” in SeSotho) often captions his posts and has become a calling card that fans chant at shows​.

On platforms like TikTok, clips of his live performances and dance challenges to his songs often go viral, further spreading his Amapiano groove to global audiences.

Despite his growing fame, LeeMcKrazy is known to remain down-to-earth and connected to his roots. In interviews and on public platforms, he comes across as humble and introspective about his celebrity.

Speaking candidly to the press, he confessed that he “never expected any of this. All this fame was a surprise to me”, recalling how overwhelming it felt when he realized his popularity. He still considers himself “the same old guy from the hood,” just with a bigger platform.

This grounded attitude resonates with fans who appreciate that he hasn’t forgotten where he comes from. In fact, LeeMcKrazy frequently gives back by performing at local community events and keeping his one-man shows affordable for the township crowd, ensuring his day-one supporters can celebrate with him.

Navigating fame hasn’t been without its challenges. LeeMcKrazy has openly discussed adjusting to life in the spotlight – from losing some privacy to feeling the pressure of always being in the public eye​.

He notes that he’s had to become more disciplined and mindful of his image (“even a simple thing like lighting a cigarette, people will judge me,” he quipped)​.

Yet, he handles these challenges with maturity. He focuses on what truly matters to him: his music and his family.

A proud father, he mentions that fatherhood has given him a new perspective and keeps him focused on “ensuring my family and I are set”​.

This personal dimension has endeared him to the public, painting the picture of an artist who is not only passionate about his craft but also about his responsibilities off-stage.

In interviews, LeeMcKrazy often emphasizes that fame hasn’t changed his core values​. He still carries the ethos of Soweto’s community spirit – uplifting others as he climbs.

Whether he’s inspiring young musicians through his story, engaging with fans on social media, or simply greeting supporters with his infectious smile at gigs, LeeMcKrazy’s public presence is marked by gratitude and enthusiasm.

As he continues to grow his brand, he does so while staying true to himself, embodying the very groove and soul that make Amapiano a cultural force.

Conclusion

From a church choir in Soweto to stages around the world, LeeMcKrazy’s journey is a testament to talent, faith, and authenticity.

His early life and influences laid a strong foundation, his collaborative spirit and hard work fueled his rise, and his hits have become anthems in the Amapiano genre. Along the way, he has remained grounded even as his star has ascended. LeeMcKrazy’s story is still being written, but one thing is certain: his voice has become an integral part of the Amapiano groove, and his impact on the genre’s landscape is undeniable​.

As fans eagerly await his next move – be it a new banger, a live performance, or an international venture – LeeMcKrazy stands as a shining example of the new generation of South African artists making musical history, one soulful note at a time.