How A South African Trend Got My YouTube Channel Monetized

My video editing client finally paid me

My YouTube channel was struggling… again.

After riding the wave of the Zambian ‘Amoyo Omwe’ choir trend, things quickly took a nosedive. The video that once brought in thousands of views was no longer relevant. The trend had faded — and so did my views.

It was honestly heartbreaking. I felt like all hope was lost.

I’m not a musician. I’m not a dancer. I don’t have the skill to create catchy dance moves or viral music. So I fell back on what I knew best — solo videos, reactions, video editing stories. But none of them worked. The views just weren’t coming in.

Then Came Awo Kodwa Loyiso — And Everything Changed

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Months later, a South African song called “Awo Kodwa Loyiso” started trending. Just like Amoyo Omwe, it had that viral magic. I quickly made a video using the sound — and boom! My channel started seeing real traction again. Views and watch hours increased rapidly.

This single video reignited my channel’s growth.

And just like that, after waiting 7 whole years for monetization, I finally hit the requirements — all within 4 months, thanks to Amoyo Omwe and Awo Kodwa Loyiso.

But Then… It Faded Again

As expected, the trend faded. Awo Kodwa Loyiso stopped trending, and my channel began to suffer once more. Even my newly uploaded movies and edited videos couldn’t reach 100 views.

It felt devastating. Discouraging. Empty.

What I’ve Learned — And My Advice to You

Here’s my honest advice:
If you’re starting a YouTube channel, don’t rely on trends if you can’t keep up with them.

Yes, trends will give you fast growth. Yes, they may help you get monetized. But when the trend disappears, what’s left?

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You can’t build a sustainable channel on something you’re not passionate about.

Stick with what you love. Whether it’s film, editing, storytelling, or education — let your passion drive your content. That way, you’ll never run out of ideas. And over time, the algorithm will recognize you as an authority in your niche.

Over to You

Have you had a similar experience chasing trends or trying to stay consistent on YouTube?
How did you push through?

Share your story in the comments — let’s help each other grow.