Young Stunna brings Marcus MC and Mhaw Keys into “TATAMI,” the penultimate track on his 16-song Amapiano album “Busisiwe.”
The song runs three minutes and 57 seconds, and it sits at track 15. “Intelezi” with Zee Nxumalo, Dankie Boi, Kabza De Small, and K.C Driller comes right before it, and the outro “Emhlabeni” with SLY and Odwa closes the album right after. That puts “TATAMI” in the final stretch, where the project winds down from big collaborations toward a quiet end. Early write-ups say little about the lyrics, so the arrangement and the voices tell most of the story.
The title borrows the word for the woven mat used in Japanese martial arts, which gives it a playful, sporty feel, though the artists have not explained the idea. Marcus MC and Mhaw Keys give the song its shared energy. Many Amapiano records now rely on trios like this, where one singer leads and two partners add colour. Reviewers point to the track as part of the album’s wider sense of collaboration.
“Busisiwe” itself is a big statement. The 16 tracks bring in SLY, Blxckie, Deeper Phil, Shino Kikai, Nkulee501, Nontokozo Mkhize, Thatohatsi, CowBoii, Kabza De Small, Njelic, Dlala Thukzin, Funky Qla, Tracy, Jnr SA, Focalistic, and DJ Maphorisa. Against that crowd, a song with two focused guests gives the ending a more personal touch.
For Amapiano fans who like to explore deep album cuts, “TATAMI” is a good late-night pick.
Step onto the mat with “TATAMI” and tell us – which guest wins the round?
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