‘Dreams do come true’: SA’s Gatya grateful for John Legend’s kindness

SiNce participating John Legend’s #openVersechallenge on South African singer mthandazo Gatya’s life has drastically changed.

The American singer, songwriter, pianist and record producer had posted a video singing from his album, inviting his fans to duet with him.

And after his added his vocals to Legend’s song and it went viral, Gatya now occupies trends lists, his bookings are piling up, brands have contacted him to collaborate and he got to share the stage with the multi-award-winning American singer-songwriter while he was in South Africa for a private bidvest function last week, an experience he describes as a display of God’s power.

“For someone who has been writing and making songs about one day going abroad to find myself in a space where i have everybody’s attention, and a decorated artist gives me a nod and tells me i’m great and extends an invitation to perform with him, is proof dreams do come true. it doesn’t matter where you are in the world, anything is possible,” Gatya said.

Gatya said he was grateful for John Legend’s kindness as it helped him reach a broader audience.

Legend is one of only 15 people to achieve eGot status, which is the accomplishment of winning an emmy, Grammy, oscar and tony awards in one’s lifetime.

“i managed to tap into a different audience, to be an artist who caters to everybody, which is what i have been wishing to do. my music is there to heal and touch lives so i’m getting to touch everybody’s lives as opposed to a certain race.”

He said when he started his music career 13 years ago, he never imagined getting the attention of an artist he looked up to, while growing up and singing his music when going for auditions,

He is in talks with Legend and his other role model, DJ black coffee, to collaborate on doing the remake of the hit from his album

“i used to tell everyone i would love to work with black coffee. Now he is the one trying to push for the collaboration to happen. black coffee has been showing mad love. i’m happy to get his attention and i think it’s going to create even bigger opportunities,” Gatya added. “i want to extend my gratitude to back coffee for giving me the attention. part of why people took this whole thing seriously was his comment.” — tshisaLiVe.