A 17-YEAR-OLD New Zealander whose TikTok anthem Savage Love has been viewed more than a billion times said today “it blows his mind” to have now topped the US Billboard singles chart. 

Jawsh 685 – whose real name is Josh Nanai – saw his viral instrumental remixed by US RnB star Jason Derulo and Korean supergroup BTS to become an international megahit.

“It blows my mind to be US No. 1,” he said in a social media video post.

“A kid from South Auckland y’know showing other kids you can do it, any street you’re from, anywhere. You can do it, believe in yourself, you can do it. Trust me.”

The young producer’s dream run of success began after the tune – Savage Love (Laxed - Siren Beat) – was picked up by TikTok users as the backing track for a hugely popular dance challenge. 

The challenge – which saw users showcase their cultural heritage by dressing in traditional outfits and dancing to the song – was also embraced by stars like Jennifer Lopez and Jimmy Fallon. 

As of Monday, the hashtags #sirenbeat, #sirenbeatchallenge and #laxedsirenbeat have collectively been viewed more than two billion times on the video-based social media platform.

Nanai was signed by Columbia Records and has now topped the charts in Britain, Germany, New Zealand and Australia, among other countries. 

The song initially caused some controversy after RnB superstar Jason Derulo took the original beat, added some lyrics, and promoted it as his own.

Following the controversy, Nanai told local radio station Mai FM in June there had been an exchange of messages between the two before the incident, but that it was “unfinished business”.

Columbia Records has since said Derulo and Nanai have “put aside their differences and come together”. – AFP, October 14, 2020.