Comments Comparing South African Dancer/Singer Kamo Mphele With Beyonce, Or Chris Brown, Or Certain Other American Singers

Kamo Mphelaxx, Mar 26, 2021

Kamo Mphela presents the official music video for 'Nkulunkulu'.

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Edited by Azizi Powell

Latest Revision- May 24, 2021

This is Part II of a three part pancocojams series about the 2021 South African video "Nkulunkulu" by Kamo Mphela.

This pancocojams post of this pancocojams series showcases Kamo Mphela's March 2021 video entitled "Nkunlunkulu" and docments all the comments that I read in the discussion thread of that official video which compare Kamo Mphela with Beyonce, Chris Brown, and/or certain other American singers/dancers.

This pancocojams post also includes all of the reaction vlog comments that I read which compare Kamo Mphele or her dancers to American dancers/singers. 

Click https://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2021/05/south-african-dancersinger-kamo-mphela.html for Part I of this pancocojams series. That post showcases Kamo Mphela's March 2021 official YouTube video entitled "Nkulunkulu" and presents selected comments about that singer and about that video from three discussion YouTube videos- two reaction vlogs, and the song's official music video that is embedded in this pancocojams post. 

Information about Kamo Mphela is given in Comment #1 of Discussion Thread #2. 

Click https://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2021/05/comments-from-two-kamo-mpheles.html for Part III of this pancocojams series. That post showcases Kamo Mphela's March 2021 official YouTube video entitled "Nkulunkulu" and presents some comments about the South African custom of making certain facial expressions while dancing to amapiano music.

The content of this post is presented for cultural, entertainment, and aesthetic purposes.  

All copyrights remain with their owners.

Thanks to the composer of this song. Thanks to Kamo Mphela and all associated with this  embedded video and thanks to all those who are quoted in this post.
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Click https://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2021/05/comments-comparing-south-african-singer.html for Part II of a pancocojams series about South African singer Tyla. Part II showcases the official 2021 YouTube music video of Tyla's song "Getting Late". Part II also provides some examples from the discussion thread of that video about comments comparing Tyla and (White American) Pop singer Ariana Grande.

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PANCOCOJAMS EDITOR'S NOTE #1
The following comments are all the comments that compare South African Dancer/Singer Kamo Mphele with Beyonce, or Missy Elliot, or other American singers that I read as of this time and date in the discussion thread for the official YouTube video for Kamo Mphele-"Unkunlunkulu".(May 23, 2021 at 4:37 PM ET].  

Two similar comments are also included in this post from the YouTube reaction vlog that is hosted by (African American) Mansa Mayne. 

My analysis of these comments are given after those quotes.

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COMMENTS COMPARING SOUTH AFRICAN DANCER/SINGER KAMO MPHELE WITH BEYONCE OR MISSY ELIOT OR OTHER AMERICAN SINGERS

Discussion thread #1
From https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fyhq8GJJPQA&ab_channel=KamoMphelaxx

[This is the link to the official YouTube music video that is embedded in this post. I didn't read all of the comments in this discussion thread only because my computer stopped loading comments. It's likely that there are more "comparison" comments in this discussion thread that I wasn't able to read.] 

These comments are numbered for referencing purposes only.  All of these comments are from March 26, 2021 to May 23, 2021 and are presented in chronological order based on their publishing date with the oldest comments given first, except for replies.

1. Mathabo panya, April 2021
"Yhooo uyaJaiva lomntwana maarn. SA's Beyonce"

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2. Rethabile Tola, May 2021
"Exactly what I thought when I saw the outfits and the dancing scenes"

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3, MsMondey, April 2021
"Kamo is the Beyoncé of S.A not only does she perform but you can see that she put in the passion , time and that legacy so that her work is rememberedYanda N"

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4. Yanda N, April 2021
"In this lovely queen there is a little of Thembi Seete, Mshoza, Janet Jackson and she has Beyonce's hustle and grinding spirit.

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5. Abram Mahladisa, April 2021
"Kamo mphela the Beyoncé of South Africa 😍😍😍😍😍❤️serve us girl"

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6. Evans Kamwendo, April 2021
"My thought"

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7. Uya Da Vibes, April 2021
"AGREED"

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8. Sandra Killerby, April 2021
"Giving her a crown for nix hayi ngeke😂😂😂😂😂"

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9. Linda Linda, April 2021
"I disagree! She doesn't have to be compared with Beyoncé, Beyoncé needs to level up to her level. She is a brand of her own. Proudly African"

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10. RACHEL MOEKETSANE, April 2021
"😍👊"

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11. D. Brownson, May 2021
" @Linda Linda  thank you sister! I am 💯 with you... Beyonce wishes she had this much talent in her one pinky finger..Kamo is that natural talent! She's a 🌟"

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12. akalani Gidi, April 2021
"Beyonce calls herself Kamo Mphela when in studio"

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13. Adelia Chauque, April 2021
"The first part in Church gave me beyonce formation vibes. Then the part at the Table gave me Cardi B Bodak yellow vibes.

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14. mark wallace, May 2021
"Not even, this here Afrakhan Queen ,this one right here, is in all of her own glory!!!, and is holdin & owning her original vibe all by herself. Periodddddd. All by herself. This ain’t no Beyoncé or Cardi b stuff. This here I the real ill naa naa!!! Some sick ass bomb ass original Motherland Artistique stuff served on a Golden plater for y’all peoples. Get into her original opulence and illustrious vibe. Hit um Queen with a ugh and a 😑 🥊ugh😅✨🎶🎶🍯🏆💰💋💎🍭🍭🍭🍭🍭🍭🍭🍭🍭👑✊🏾🇿🇦🌞🙏🏿✨"

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15. manda Moye, April 2021
"B-hive....?

Its awesome"

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16. Samuel Mbumba, April 2021
"The Beyoncé of amapiano..."

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17. Katlego Phanyane, April 2021
 "Beyonce wa mo South Africa 😩♥️🥵💥🔥"

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18. Adrian Cline-Bailey, April 2021
"Chris Brown level of dancing. 🔥"

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19.Android Minion, April 2021
"Haibo Yebo, craving for Dance battle between Kamo And Chris Brown 🤧But nevertheless I love it Kamo. Keep up the good work"

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20. Callmebianca, April 2021
"She is a ready made superstar. I see her going global with artists like drake who love to jump on hot new artist. She’s truly a performer! (As in he’d feature her on his song not the other way round guys)"

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21. Siya Skhosana, April 2021
"You're pushing it now. Drake? come on now"

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22. Bulelani Magubane, April 2021
"Niyabathanda o Drake. She's great just appreciate her alone"

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23. james rishmany, April 2021
"lol drake on which song?"

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24. Lexx Brown, April 2021
"Kami Mphela is the female, African Chris brown version!! This girl has got crazy moves"

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25. Tshenolo Ntlale, April 2021
"But she have good moves"

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26. Sean Chulo, April 2021
"Cant put her up there yet

Chris brown is way above"

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27. Michael Kabaya, April 2021
"Afican CIARA"

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28. Siphosihle Quincy Methula, April 2021
"She is Kamo Mphela!  & not a version of no CB!!!!"

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29. Mercy Chumo, April 2021
"She’s the African Kami Mphela, stop using foreign standards to measure greatness. 😒"

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30. Lexx Brown, 2021
" @Mercy Chumo  nope not using foreign standard! Btw! I used what I saw fit! It wasn't to offend anyone really!🔥"

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31. •S l u s h y•, April 2021
"Chris brown? Pause. They have 2 entirely different dance styles lol😂 Kamo got moves, leave it at that, no need for the Chris comparison"

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32. Tshidi, April 2021
"She's Kamo Mphela, and I don't believe that Americans dance better than us, so stop please"

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33. Tshidi, April 2021
"@Mercy Chumo  Thank you! Yoh!"

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34. Lexx Brown, April 2021
"@Tshidi  it's not about Americans dancing better than us, don't assume but it's about understanding that we compare people accordingly..reckon that"

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35. Sandra Killerby, April 2021
"Chris brown???😒😵😑"

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36. Reitumetse Sankolla, April 2021
"The fact that she showed the PinPop stoksweet at the end is EVERYTHING!!!🤣🤣 She just shows nje hore she is a random girl nje from ekasi😂😍🥰 but what else can we say she is one heck of a superstar; the Beyonce, the next Christina Brown🥰🏆🤩🔥💖"

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37. Mr Mandilakhe Mfoboza, April 2021
"Beyonce wase South Africa!✔🕺🏾❤🤗"

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38. MsMondey, April 2021
"Kamo is the Beyoncé of S.A not only does she perform but you can see that she put in the passion , time and that legacy so that her work is remembered"

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39. Mzeke Namanje ARISTOKASI, April 2021
"Kamo Mphela is Kamo Mphela. Not Beyonce of what what_ Tsek!"

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40. Brian Khotle, April 2021
"Now you’re reaching!!!"

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41. nontuthuzelo gunwana, April 2021
"Issa reach 🤣🤣🤣"

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42. oluchi omeife, April 2021
"Ya no we stop this thing of comparing SA artists to others lets respect their craft they did the same with Tyla calling her ariana Grande"

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43. Alicia Momat, Apri; 2021
"Why always compare to Americans? She is just kamo not like beyonce she is great in her way don't have to be like beyonce"

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44. Nsovo, April 2021
"She is the kamo mphela of south Africa"

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45. IamAman Dempisi, April 2021
"How abou beyonce is Kamo Mphela of America"

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46. Alicia Momat, April 2021
" @IamAman Dempisi  yeah nhe 🤣"

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47. Cleopatra Basetsana, May 2021
"Our very own Lady Gaga 💃❤"

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48. Tshidi, May 2021
"No she's our own Kamo Mphela!"

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49. yanga sijila, April 2021
"Beyonce is that you?👀🔥🔥😍😍Kamo is the greatest of all time. I love the hard work and energy that she puts in her craft🔥❤"️

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50. Zulu Melody, April 2021
"Didn't even know this girl. I think we've found our South African Beyonce. This is just the beginning, akasihole! Love her to bits. Appreciate her consistency."

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51. Ayanda Sikithi, April 2021
"Lol haike ngoku cant compare to a whole Beyonce but shes definetly the nxt Kamo"

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52. Zulu Melody, April 2021
"If she keeps, she will be our next Beyonce. Something babes could've achieved had she not lost herself along the way"

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53. Linda Linda, April 2021
"You don't have to mention Beyoncé when mentioning perfection, tis lady is her own brand."

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54. YOOMILITARY, April 2021
"SA YOUNG missy elliot support her grind."

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55. Android Minion, April 2021
"Haibo Yebo, craving for Dance battle between Kamo And Chris Brown 🤧"

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56. jboogie knows, April 2021
"🔥🔥💃🏽🌹💯🎶 Dayuum! She brought the outfits,  energy, and dances! Look out @beyonce!"

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57. S'LEO T BLESSUP, April 2021
"Okay That's  It🔥, She's The Beyoncé Of Amapiano No Cappis😩🙌🏾✨"

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58. busani moeti, May 2021
"Beyonce and Ciara gotta see this💯👀 and she just retired Babes Wodumo.🤞Well done Kamo🇿🇦🔥"

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59. Mpule Serokolo, May 2021
"Kamo mphela looks like MISSY ELLIOT❤️👌"

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️60. Mathias Shiikwa, May 2021
"Am getting some Beyonce vabbs on those Kamo Mphela dance moves..."

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61. Kholeka Khuzwayo, May 2021
"She gives me Beyoncé & Ciara vibes💃, soon you'll be working with them!!"

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62. BillyOnaire Raps, May 2021
"Kamo Mphela Is My South African Beyonce!!!"

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63. Mrswag Sporo, May 2021
"The choreography is insane hope Beyonce is watching so she can take some notes"

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64. Rol Drol, May 2021
"Am i the only one who wants @ciara and @missyelliot to jump on d remix coz dis sh-t* 🔥🔥🔥🔥#nceliclipa"
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*This word is fully spelled out in this comment.

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65. Ntombesizwe Tshabe, May 2021
"This music video is insane! Absolutely love the concept 😍 sabu Beyonce sabu Missy Elliot... Queen!!!"

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66. Kabelo Maleke, May 2021
"Such vibes and dance moves  are for   2000s ....kamo mphela is Beyonce in mzansi"

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67. Ntombesizwe Tshabe, May 2021
"This music video is insane! Absolutely love the concept 😍 sabu Beyonce sabu Missy Elliot... Queen!!!"

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68. The Hacker Dark web, May 2021
"This what you call a Music Video.....not all the other nonsense on played on MTV - international quality...you can Mute the Track and play Beyoncé's Song on the back ground and won't see the difference :::::Good Job Kamo"

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Discussion thread #2:
From https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b-4RV-E2RKo&ab_channel=MansaMayne
KAMO MPHELA - NKULUNKULU (OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO) | REACTION, Mansa Mayne,Mar 30, 2021

1. I love Nikk_, May 2021
"This video giving me Beyoncé's Lemonade vibes....... Very good either way"

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2.  Yayale Grace Longo, May 2021
"For me she is the South African Missy Elliot 😍😍😍"

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Discussion thread #3
From https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L5MXKyBhiJA&ab_channel=ThatFireLA
Nkulunkulu - TikTok South Africa | TFLA Reaction; That Fire LA Apr 24, 2021

mark whitehead, April 2021
"Hey, Chris Brown you think you were the badest dancer watch these Brother's and Sisters from Africa.

Respect Michael Jackson."

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Peggy B, May 2021
"Beyonce will be looking for them!!!"

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PANCOCOJAMS EDITOR'S NOTES
Most of the commenters who compared Kamo Mphele to a non-South African singer/dancer compared her to African American Pop singer Beyonce. That Beyonce was named so often in this discussion thread reflects international opinion that she is at the pinnacle of success in the Pop music business along with Drake and a few other singers.

All of the performers that Kamo Mphela is compared to in the discussion thread for this official video (as well as the comment from the reaction video) are African Americans, except for one commenter who mentioned (White American singer) Lady Gaga and one commenter who mentioned that a number of South Africans believe that South African singer Tyla looks like and has the same performance style as (White American singer Ariana Grande.  [Read multiple comments in the discussion thread for https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v6Tct3AAre0  Tyla - Getting Late (Official Video) ft. Kooldrink, Tyla, January 28, 2021

Here's how I categorize these "comparison" comments that I quoted:  

1. Comments that indicate that Kamo Mphele is now or will soon be on the same celebrity level  as Beyonce (or another celebrity who is named).

2.Comments that indicate that Kamo Mphele is on a higher celebrity level)as Beyonce (or another celebrity who is named).

3. Comments that indicate that Kamo Mphele's performances has the same vibe (i.e. remind them) of Beyonce or another American singer/dancer who the commenter names. (I believe these comments refer to Kamo Mphele's performance of dance routines along with other people to the accompaniment of her singing. While most of the people she is compared with are known for their dancing as well as their singing, I don't believe that the commenters were saying that Kamo Mphele's style of dancing or style of singing is the same as or similar to the American celebrity who they compared her to. 

In addition to these three categories, some other "comparison" comments about Kamo Mphele indicate that that South African dancer/singer looks like (physical resembles) Missy Elliot.

As suggested by those comments about Tyla, these "comparison" comments in these discussion threads aren't the only time that I have read those types of comments in YouTube discussion threads for contemporary African music. Invariable, a particular African singer is compared to Beyonce and a particular African dancer is compared to Chris Brown. 

The comments that indicate that a particular African celebrity physically resembles a particular African American celebrity are that commenter's opinion. (I happen to agree that Kamo Mphele resembles Missy Elliot and Tyla resembles (and has a similar singing style as) Ariana Grande.

I believe that the other categories of comments and the push back that the often receive from other commenters in those discussions reflect one or both of the following:

1. Pride the African bloggers have for their cultures and their celebrities.
2. Competition with African American (and other American) popular music and dance celebrities who [it appears to me] to be internationally considered as being the top or in the top level of performers in those fields.

It appears to me that African bloggers on YouTube have widely adopted some cultural aspects of African Americans, particularly many words and phrases from African American Vernacular English (AAVE). Words and phrase expressing that something or someone is very good such as "fire", "killing it", "slaps hard", "sick", "the bomb", "G.O.A.T" and African American phrases such as "[name of a nation] is in the building" or "is in the house", and "Where my [name of nation] people at" are used to show how "up to date", "cool" or "hip" the blogger is. 

Furthermore, Africans'  wide use of African American vernacular English in those discussion threads may be considered as conflicting with such comments praising Africa in general or a particular African nation such as this comment from the discussion thread for the official video for Kamo Mphele- "Unkunlukulu":

Empress, April 2021
"We are winning as Africans.The way we found a way to embrace our vernaculars and culture in our music and art is making us dominate the world because theres nothing like originality 👌"

Africans' wide use of African American vernacular in YouTube discussion threads for contemporary African music may be seen as conflicting with comments from a number of Africans posting on those same discussion threads which are highly critical of African American Hip Hop videos as having too many near naked women, and featuring songs which are misogynistic and without meaningful lyrics.

Please share your opinions about this subject in the comment section below. Thanks in advance.

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This concludes Part II of this three part pancocojams series.

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