Life and career
Born and raised in eMalahleni & Evander , Mpumalanga, later Motha, with his family, relocated to Pretoria. His musical career began in 2009. He was signed under Tyrique de Bruyne and released his first album Avenue Sound in 2016 under Bestbyfar Records. [6] Kabza established his own record label PianoHub.
His breakthrough single "Umshove" featuring South African singer Leehleza was released in 2018. [7] On 1 October 2019, he released Piano Hub with DJ Maphorisa. The Extended play was certified 3× platinum in South Africa. [8] The Return of Scorpion Kings was released on 29 November 2019. [7]
On 31 January 2020, Scorpion Kings (Kabza de Small and DJ Maphorisa) announced Scorpion King Live, which was set to be 11 April, at Sun Arena, Times Square in Pretoria. [9] The concert was postponed due to the COVID-19 outbreak, [10] and was rescheduled to 9 August. [11] [12]
His studio album I Am the King of Amapiano: Sweet & Dust , was released on 26 June 2020. The album was certified double platinum in South Africa. [8] In December 2020, Kabza was listed as the most streamed South African artist by Spotify. [13] [14] That same month, Kabza announced collaborative studio album Rumble in the Jungle , and released lead single "Funu", featuring Afro-pop singer Tresor in February 2021. [15] Rumble in the Jungle, a collaborative studio album by Kabza de Small, DJ Maphorisa, and Tresor was released on 9 April 2021. [16] [17]
Motha was ranked at number 18 on Forbes Africa's 30 under 30 list in June 2021. [18]
In July 2021, he was featured on Rolling Stone magazine for his musical career. [19]
On 27 September, Kabza and DJ Maphorisa released "Abalele" featuring South African singer Ami Faku. [20] The song debuted number 4 on the Spotify charts and number 1 on the official South African Music Charts. [21] [22]
Kabza appeared on a collaboration "Siyabonga", with DJ Zinhle, Nokwazi, and Black Motion released on November 26, 2021. The song debuted number 24 on both Local and International streaming charts. [23]
In early January 2022, he announced his album KOA II Part 1, on his Instagram account. [24] The album was set to be released on 16 June 2022. [25]
His studio EP Ziwangale was released on 22 April 2022. [26] Its lead single "Ziwa Ngale" featuring DJ Tira, DJ Exit SA, Beast, Mshunqisi, Young Stunna, and Felo Le Tee, charted number on iTune SA music charts. [27]
The other three songs, "Ebusuku" featuring Nkosazana Daughter, "Kabza" featuring Murumba Pitch, and "Mak'shoni" Langa" featuring DJ Maphorisa, Murumba Pitch, and Da Muziqal Chef, debuted at number 7, number 12 and number 26 respectively, on iTunes music chart. [27]
On 31 May, Kabza released 6 singles; "Khusela" featuring Msaki, "Bathini" featuring Young Stunna and Artwork Sounds, and "Isoka" featuring Nkosazana Daughter and Murumba Pitch, as part 1 of his album. [28]
KOA II Part 1 (pronounced King of Amapiano 2 Part 1) was released on 16 June 2022. [29]
The album debuted number 11 on iTunes top 100 chart, and "Khusela" peaked number 1 on Apple Music charts. [30]
In June 2022, Motha announced a 3 leg tour that ran from 24 to 26 June. [31]
In early October 2022, he announced he was working on his EP via Twitter, and released a lead single "K'shubile" with Kwesta featuring Masterpiece YVK. In November 2022, he worked with Afrika Memani on the Road To Private EP, which was released on the 4th of November. [32]
Scorpion Kings announced Summer Tour which includes 9 dates, it ran from 11 December at Cape Town until 25 February 2023, Gauteng.
Kabza reportedly working on joint extended play together with Ami Faku, announced on his Twitter account on 13 February 2023. [33] Release date and EP title are yet to be announced.
In May 2023, he collaborated with DJ Maphorisa to release a 25 track mixtape project titled The Konka Mixtape (Sweet & Dust) Album. [34]
In early July 2023, Kabza was reported as a producer of Drake's It's All a Blur Tour. [35]
"Isibusiso" featuring South African singer Mthunzi was released on 20 October 2023 as a lead single ahead of his extended play Isimo. The EP was released on 27 October 2023.
In April 2024, his show Redbull Symphonic with Ofentse Pitse and Symphonic Orchestra was sold out in 5 hours becoming the first artist to do so. [36] [37] It was held at Lyric Theatre, Gold Reef City, Johannesburg on June 8, 2024. [38] Following the success of his first show, Redbull Symphonic added second show which was sold out in 8 minutes broke second record for him, was held on June 9. [39] [40] [41]
"Kabza Chant" featuring Young Stunna, Nkosazana Daughter, Mthunzi, Nokwazi, Anzo, Mashudu, Marumba Pitch, and Tman X-Press was released on June 7, 2024. It debuted at number 1 on SA Spotify Daily Charts. [42]
