Scotts Maphuma is the top-searched artist in South Africa for 2025
Scotts Maphuma also ranked among the top-searched artists, driven by a string of viral videos and public incidents that pushed him into the spotlight and fuelled widespread discussion about his behaviour towards fans and its possible impact on his career.
Image: Instagram/Mandla R Maboe
Scotts Maphuma ranked among the top-searched artists on Google’s 2025 Year in Search for South Africa. 2025 was quite the year for the amapiano musician, known for chart-topping hits like "Shayi’Moto”, when he got entangled in controversy.
A string of viral videos and public incidents pushed him into the spotlight and fuelled widespread discussion about his behaviour towards fans and its possible impact on his career.
The musician fans weren't all too happy with the star this year and expressed outrage over what they perceived as disrespectful behaviour.
In early 2025, Scotts Maphuma took to social media to express his feelings about the intense public scrutiny and pressure that come with fame. He was candid about his struggles, stating, "I'm tired of being judged for not always being in the mood to take pictures or interact with fans."
The artist highlighted the difficulty of leading a normal life, frustrated by the constant demands for photos. "I can't even go to the mall without being asked for a picture," he added.
However, his public statements, particularly following the circulation of videos that seemed to show him acting dismissively towards fans, provoked a backlash, leading to many branding him as 'rude'.
What followed was a series of apologies from the musician for his utterances in an effort to get in fans' good graces. Several top artists came out in support of the rising star during this time.
The late musician Winnie Khumalo follows second on the list of the top-searched artists. Khumalo, best known for her smash hit “Live My Life”, died in January, following a short illness at 51. Khumalo is number one on the list of top-searched losses in 2025.
Rising star Naledi Aphiwe follows in third place. The young star is proving to be more than a viral moment, as she carves out a steady career in South African music.
Naledi Aphiwe gained recognition while she was a student at Khethokuhle Secondary School, following the sampling of her voice on the track "Shooter," which is featured on Chris Brown's 2023 studio album, “11:11”.
She has since passed matric and met Chris Brown and won major awards, and landed collaborations once dreamed of.
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