In a fusion of Afrikaans and country music, South African star Appel and Australian sensation James Johnston have struck gold with “Country Is For Me,” a duet that uniquely blends Afrikaans and English lyrics, transcending borders to become an international hit.
The track, now available across all streaming platforms, pairs heartfelt lyrics with a cross-continental blend of culture and style, underscoring music as a truly universal language.
Appel, a beloved South African artist with numerous chart-topping singles and awards to his name, shared, “Working with James on this song has been a highlight of my career.
It’s a powerful statement about the love of country music that knows no boundaries.” James Johnston, widely recognized for his rise through Idols Australia and The X-Factor Australia, recently garnered critical acclaim for his single “Blame” and has since joined forces with Warner Music Australia, securing support from Warner Music Nashville.
The reception has been nothing short of remarkable:
- 20,000 pre-saves before release
- 200,000 Spotify streams in the opening weekend, peaking at #20 on the Spotify South Africa Singles Chart
- 25,000 saves to collections in the first 48 hours, with more than 70% of streams coming from engaged listeners
- On YouTube, the music video amassed 141,000 views on day one, with South African audiences contributing to 80% of views with over 350 000 views in 3 days
- A viral sensation with 1,700 fan-made videos, reaching a combined total of over 6 million views
Chart impact has been swift and broad-reaching:
- Spotify: #44 South Africa (Peak #20)
- iTunes: #1 in South Africa, #14 in New Zealand, #29 in Ireland
- Apple Music: #10 South Africa, #1 on the Country chart in South Africa
- Deezer: #1 South Africa
Streaming platforms have shown strong support, with placements in major playlists globally:
- Spotify: New Music Friday in Australia & New Zealand, Fresh Country, All New Country (Global), and Country Musiek in South Africa.
- Apple Music: Prioritized on New Music Daily and Keep It Country in multiple territories, as well as New in Country and Afrikaanse Treffers across over 100 territories.
- Amazon Music: Featured in Brand New Music (Australia).
In addition to its digital success, “Country Is For Me” debuted live on Saturday, October 26, at Cape Town’s Country Festival hosted by Bok Radio at the iconic DHL Stadium. This marks the first live performance of the duet, giving fans a rare opportunity to experience this cross-cultural collaboration in real time.
The official music video, filmed at Nahla Safaris in Schweizer-Reneke by Conrad Theron of Atlas Media, adds visual charm to the anthem, capturing the expansive beauty of the bushveld and celebrating the unifying power of country music.
This record-breaking duet between Appel and Johnston has set a new standard for cross-cultural collaborations, bridging continents and captivating audiences worldwide with its timeless appeal.
