South African music fans were ecstatic following Canadian superstar Drake’s recent shout-out to Amapiano sensation Kelvin Momo during his headline performance at the Wireless Festival 2025.
The international recognition not only highlights Kelvin Momo’s global reach but also fuels speculation of a potential collaboration.
Drake’s Major Moment at Wireless Festival
The Wireless Festival, held over the weekend of 11-12 July 2025, was an electrifying event where Drake captivated fans with his dual-themed performances. While Friday featured his classic RnB hits, Saturday’s set was dedicated entirely to hip-hop, particularly spotlighting the vibrant UK rap scene.
However, it was Drake’s unexpected nod to Kelvin Momo during his Saturday performance that stole headlines. Before performing a special version of his hit track “Controlla,” Drake enthusiastically acknowledged Momo:
“I hope you enjoy it. Shout out to Kelvin Momo, he helped me flip this tonight.”
Drake’s decision to transform his RnB dancehall-infused classic into an Amapiano-inflected version indicates his genuine admiration for the genre, and particularly for Kelvin Momo’s production skills.
How Kelvin Momo Captured Drake’s Attention
The acknowledgment at Wireless Festival was not the first time Drake expressed admiration for Kelvin Momo. In fact, their connection traces back to 2023 when Drake privately messaged Momo, lauding his unique talent. Drake notably described listening to Momo’s music as “a religious experience,” stating:
“You, my friend, are from another planet.”
Overjoyed and humbled, Momo shared Drake’s message publicly, expressing his excitement:
“Waking up to such… speechless! Le re nna ke etsa hanyani. Jokes aside, getting a DM from Drake means a lot. I don’t even know what to say but I’m grateful.”
Further interactions ensued in 2024 when Drake dropped into Momo’s Instagram live session, symbolically leaving “goat” emojis and generating widespread excitement among fans.
Social Media Reacts: SA Fans Celebrate
The shout-out immediately ignited social media, as South African fans eagerly expressed their pride and anticipation:
- @_ShaunKeyz: “I can’t believe Drake gave a shout-out to Kelvin Momo and played his song at the Wireless Festival. That’s huge!”
- @J0shua_AGAPE: “Damn! This country has international super producers!”
- @shalow_mac: “Momo is the God of Amapiano.”
- @__amina__x: “They could never make me hate Kelvin Momo. The GOAT!”
- @VinylAndVince: “Drake about to infiltrate the SA market now. We’re next on the wave circuit. He’ll be saying ‘Amapiano is the most soulful genre in the world’ by next week.”
The excitement highlights Kelvin Momo’s stronghold on the Amapiano scene and signals the growing global influence of South African artists.
Possible Collaboration on the Horizon?
Drake’s public admiration has inevitably sparked speculation about an upcoming collaboration.
Given Drake’s penchant for embracing international sounds and Momo’s rising global profile, a joint project or collaboration between these two artists could be groundbreaking.
As anticipation builds, fans remain hopeful that Drake’s evident appreciation of Kelvin Momo’s artistry will soon translate into a musical partnership.
For now, the Wireless Festival shout-out serves as a powerful acknowledgment, further elevating Kelvin Momo’s status on the international music scene.
Watch This Space
South Africa, and indeed global music fans, will be closely watching the interactions between Drake and Kelvin Momo in the coming months. Whether or not a collaboration materializes, this moment represents another major milestone for Amapiano and South Africa’s vibrant music landscape.
