A rising star on South Africa’s pop culture radar, Kabelo Vincent Ndlovu,
known as Uncle Vinny, is monopolizing the spotlight, having amassed a dedicated
following that includes some of the biggest names in South African entertainment.
The 20-year-old has made a name for himself. Known for his vibrant personality, strong
social presence and his iconic moves, Uncle Vinny has truly established himself as the voice
of the South African youth.
Vinny highlights that his passion for entertainment has always been there, but it was
education that cultivated it. “If I didn’t go to an art school there wasn’t going to be a Vinny,”
he explained on the POP radio podcast.
The 19-year-old power house has continued to make efforts throughout the industry.
At the tender age of 15 he made his radio debut on Hillbrow FM as a radio presenter where
he met and worked with the likes of Cassper Nyovest and Riky Rick.
In 2021 he joined MTV Base’s Culture Squad as a VJ and represented Africa on various
international stages.
Uncle Vinny has become an influential voice in the modern day youth culture, accumulating
over 900k instagram followers, 160 k followers on Tik Tok and inspiring viral dance
challenges. With features in GQ South Africa, Hype magazine and many more, his influence
is undoubtable, which has led to brands such as Puma partnering with him to make him their
brand ambassador in 2021.
But the MTV Base VJ says he wants South Africans to recognise that he’s much more than a
majaivane (street dancer). “Dancing is part of me,” he says of the craft that has catapulted
him to overnight-like success. His signature moves have captured the spirit of the Amapiano
generation.
The Amapiano culture is a representation of the Rainbow nation that Mandela dreamt about
expressed through music. It eliminates barriers of entry and Vinny has been a pioneering
ambassador of Amapiano from the start and a key driver in the Major League Balcony Mix
movement.
Often referred to as the 'King of the Youth', Uncle Vinny is a trendsetting party starter who
fully embodies the freedom and enjoyment of Amapiano.
