Uber rides are typically thought of as boring and monotonous, with the most that usually happens being a little bit of small talk. That’s why it came as a huge surprise when something happened during a recent Uber ride that led to the driver becoming an international star!

It all started when Kim Davey headed to Durban, South Africa for a business trip and decided to call an Uber. Nothing seemed unusual about the ride until she started talking to her driver Menzi Mngoma, and she realized immediately that he was someone special.

As Kim and Menzi talked about their lives, she asked what led him to becoming an Uber driver. He told her how he had studied music for years and had a dream of becoming an international musician, but when he did not find success in that, he became an Uber driver to pay his bills. Kim responded by asking Menzi to show off his talent for her, and when he started to sing, she was completely blown away.

Kim was so impressed that she whipped out her phone to start recording him, and video of his performance quickly went viral. Renowned opera critic Tim Ashley went so far as to say that Menzi sang “perfectly decently and with no strain at the top [of the voice].”

After becoming a viral star, Menzi began performing at various events. He soon released his first single, “Feel the Love,” and it was an immediate success.

Slowly but sure, Menzi’s dream of becoming an international star are coming true!

Menzi is still driving for Uber in his spare time until he is sure that music will be a lucrative career for him, but we have no doubt that he’ll be successful for many years to come. Check out the viral video that started it all below!