Samukelo Mavuso (born 18 April 2001), known by his stage name Sam Deep, is a South African producer and DJ. He is best known for his record-breaking 2025 single “Shela“.
Sam Deep has also released other hits, including “Kusezo Khanya“, “Thokoza“, “iMpumelelo“, and “Thandaza“.
| Sam Deep | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Personal Details | |
| Name: | Samukelo Mavuso |
| Born: | 18 April 2001 (age 25 years old) |
| Place of birth: | Orlando West, Soweto |
| Nationality: | South African |
| Occupation: | Producer, DJ |
| Genre: | Amapiano |
Early Life
Samukelo Rorisang Mavuso was born on 18 April 2001 in Killarney, Orlando West, Soweto. Growing up, he wanted to be a professional footballer.
Career
Aspiring to achieve his childhood dreams, Sam trained and played for a football club at the youth level. He decided to shift to music and focused on being a Disc Jockey (DJ) and producer in 2016.
Three years into his career, he met members of Ace of Spades Records, including Da Muziqal Chef, De Mthuda, and Njelic. He has since worked with other notable personalities in the music industry.
Sam Deep released his breakthrough single Kusezo Khanya, featuring Babalwa M, Playgal, and De Mthuda on 8 April 2022. The song became a hit and quickly reached millions of streams across platforms, earning him his first-ever platinum plaque.
He has also released other projects, including the album Who I Am (2025). He has surpassed 2.1 billion streams across digital platforms since releasing this album.
The lead single ‘Shela’ has been certified four times platinum in South Africa. Who I Am has tracks that generate approximately 2.5 billion views and more than 4.6 million user-created videos on TikTok.
Shela topped local charts for nine consecutive weeks and also reached the top across major platforms, including Apple Music, Spotify, YouTube, and radio. It has recorded over 4,000 plays and accumulated over 304 million impressions among listeners.
His single ‘Thandaza’ from the album Who I Am has been certified gold. It has also topped Apple Music and Spotify. He has also collaborated with notable personalities.
Some of his singles include “Thokoza” (featuring MaWhoo), “iMpumelelo,” and “Thandaza”. In 2025, he returned with a new single, ‘Space’, featuring Thatohatsi and Nvcho.
Sam Deep collaborated with producers Stixx and Nvcho on the album Kings of Kwapi Vol 1. The trio producers are pioneers of the Kwapi genre.
He has released several successful albums, including Hit Factory (2024) and his debut iMALI YE NTWANA (2023).
Songs
- Isgubhu
- BoGogo
- iMpumelelo
- Shela
- Taximan
- Kusezo Khanya
- Thandaza
- Thokoza
- Bade Lam
- Ngenxa Yakho
- Kancane
- Eh Joh
- Makukhanye
- Isthutha
- Phumelela
- Themba Lam
- Moya
- BraMfana
- iziNkomo
- Jukebox
- Lalala
- Ngaphakathi
- Patience
- iMALI YE NTWANA
- Amapholas
- YogiSip
- Thando Lwethu
- Mamelani
- Walala Wasala
- Kude
- iNdaba Yo Thando
References
- The Yanos. “5 Things You Probably Didn’t Know About Real Sam Deep”. www.theyanos.co.za.
- Keamogetswe Matlala. “Sam Deep introduces himself and manifests money bags in his first album, iMali Yentwana”. Drum.
- Music in Africa. “Sam Deep – Bio”. www.musicinafrica.net.
- Lerato Mpho Ramogase. “Sam Deep surpasses 2.1b streams following release of Who I Am”. Music in Africa.
- Gloria Masia. “Sam Deep Reacts To His First Ever Platinum Plaque For His Hit Single”. The Yanos.
- Music In Africa Foundation. “Listen to Sam Deep’s new amapiano single Space”. www.musicinafrica.net.
