Kabza De Small | |
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Born | Kabelo Petrus Motha 27 November 1992 |
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Years active | 2011–present |
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Kabelo Petrus Motha (born 27 November 1992) is a South African DJ and record producer, popularly known as Kabza De Small. He is a major figure in the amapiano genre of house music. [1] [2] [3] Aside from his solo career, Motha is a member of the Scorpion Kings. Motha gained international recognition after the release of "Umshove", in 2018.
Kabza's third studio album I Am the King of Amapiano: Sweet & Dust (2021), debuted number one in South Africa.
Forbes Africa ranked Motha number 18 on Forbes Africa 30 under 30. His accolades include ten South African Music Awards, two Mzansi Viewers Choice Awards, three AmaPiano Music Awards and one Sunday Times GenNext.
Born and raised in 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. [4] Kabza established his own record label PianoHub. His breakthrough single "Umshove" featuring South African singer Leehleza was released in 2018. [5] On 1 October 2019, he released Piano Hub with DJ Maphorisa. The Extended play was certified 3× platinum in South Africa. [6] The Return of Scorpion Kings was released on 29 November 2019. [5]
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. [7] The concert was postponed due to the COVID-19 outbreak, [8] and was rescheduled to 9 August. [9] [10]
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. [6] In December 2020, Kabza was listed as the most streamed South African artist by Spotify. [11] [12] 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. [13] Rumble in the Jungle, a collaborative studio album by Kabza de Small, DJ Maphorisa, and Tresor was released on 9 April 2021. [14] [15]
Motha was ranked at number 18 on Forbes Africa's 30 under 30 list in June 2021. [16]
In July 2021, he was featured on Rolling Stone magazine for his musical career. [17]
On 27 September, Kabza and DJ Maphorisa released "Abalele" featuring South African singer Ami Faku. [18] The song debuted number 4 on the Spotify charts and number 1 on the official South African Music Charts. [19] [20]
In early January 2022, he announced his album KOA II Part 1, on his Instagram account. [21] The album was set to be released on 16 June 2022. [22]
His studio EP Ziwangale was released on 22 April 2022. [23] 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. [24]
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. [24]
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. [25]
KOA II Part 1 (pronounced King of Amapiano 2 Part 1) was released on 16 June 2022. [26]
The album debuted number 11 on iTunes top 100 chart, and "Khusela" peaked number 1 on Apple Music charts. [27]
In June 2022, Motha announced a 3 leg tour that ran from 24 to 26 June. [28]
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. [29]
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. [30] 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. [31]
In early July 2023, Kabza was reported as a producer of Drake's It's All a Blur Tour. [32]
"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 Ochestra was sold out in 5 hours becoming the first artist to do so. [33] [34] It was held at Lyric Theatre, Gold Reef City, Johannesburg on June 8, 2024. [35] 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. [36] [37] [38]
"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. [39]
Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result | Ref. |
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2022 | "Adiwele" | African Fans Favourite | Nominated | [40] |
KOA II | Album of the Year | Nominated | ||
Himself | Artist of the Year | Nominated |
Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|
2020 | "Nana Thula" | Favourite Song of the Year | Nominated | |
Himself | Favourite Rising Star | Won | ||
Favourite DJ | Won | |||
2022 | "Asibe Happy" | Favourite Song | Nominated | [41] [42] |
Scorpion Kings (Kabza de Small and DJ Maphorisa) | Favourite music artist/group | Nominated | ||
Favourite DJ | Nominated |
Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|
2021 | Scorpion Kings Live | Amapiano Album of the Year | Nominated | [43] |
Scorpion Kings | Best Amapiano Male DJ Act | Won | ||
Himself | Best Amapiano Music Producer | Won | ||
"Emcimbini" | Best Amapiano Collaboration | Won | ||
2023 | "Abalele" | Song of the Year | Cancelled | [44] |
"Asibe Happy" | Cancelled | |||
"Khusela" featuring Msaki | Cancelled | |||
Best AmaPiano Produced Song | Cancelled | |||
Best Amapiano Collaboration | Cancelled | |||
"Asibe Happy" | Cancelled | |||
KOA II Part 1 | Best AmaPiano Album/Ep | Cancelled | ||
Himself | Best AmaPiano Producer | Cancelled | ||
AmaPiano Artist of the Year | Cancelled |
Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|
2020 | Scorpion Kings (DJ Maphorisa, Kabza De Small, MFR Souls & Virgo Deep) | Album of the Year | Won | [45] |
Best Kwaito/Gqom/Amapiano | Nominated | |||
The Return of the Scorpion Kings (Kabza De Small and DJ Maphorisa) | Nominated | |||
2021 | Once Upon A Time in Lockdown – Kabza De Small & DJ Maphorisa (Scorpion Kings) | Album of the year | Won | [46] |
I Am The King of Amapiano: Sweet & Dust | Nominated | |||
Male Artist of the Year | Won | |||
Once Upon A Time in Lockdown (Scorpion Kings) | Duo/Group of the Year | Won | ||
Best Amapiano Album | Won | |||
I Am The King of Amapiano: Sweet & Dust | Nominated | |||
2022 | "Asibe Happy" | Record of the Year | Nominated | [47] |
"Abalele" | Nominated | |||
Most Streamed Song of the Year | Won | [48] [49] | ||
2023 | Speak N Vrostaan (with Kwesta) | Best Kwaito Album | Won | |
KOA II Part 1 | Best Produced Album | Won | ||
Best Amapiano Album | Won | |||
Scorpion Kings Live Sun Arena (with DJ Maphorisa) | Duo/Group of the Year | Won |
Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result | Ref. |
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2021 | Himself | Coolest Local Club DJ | Won | [50] |
Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result | Ref. |
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2021 | "Emcimbini" | Most Voted Song | Nominated | [51] |
Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result | Ref. |
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2023 | Khusela featuring Msaki | Song of the Year | Nominated | |
Best Amapiano Song | Nominated | |||
"Mrholo Wayizolo" Kabza de Small & Kwesta | Best Kwaito/Gqom | Nominated | ||
Best duo/Group Song | Nominated | |||
Himself | Best Male Artist | Nominated | ||
2024 | "Imithandazo" | Song of the Year | Won | [52] |
Best Collaboration | Won | |||
Best Amapiano | Won | |||
Isimo | Best Produced Album | Won | ||
Himself | Best Male | Nominated |
Title | Year | Peak chart positions | Certifications | Album | |||
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ZA | |||||||
"Kabza Chant" (featuring Mthunzi, Young Stunna, Nkosazana Daughter, Murumba Pitch, Mashudu, Anzo, Nokwazi, T-Man Xpress) | 2024 | 1 | Non-album single | ||||
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory. |
Title | Year | Peak chart positions | Certifications | Album | |||
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ZA | |||||||
"Awesome God" (Artwork Sounds, Bee Bar featuring Kabza De Small) | 2023 | 24 | RiSA: Gold [54] | The Gospel According To Artwork Sounds Chapter II | |||
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory. |
Themba Sekowe, known professionally as DJ Maphorisa, is a South African DJ, record producer, singer, and songwriter. As a record producer with a blend of house music, amapiano and afropop, he has worked with and has received production credits from several notable artists, including Wizkid, Sizwe Alakine, Kwesta, Uhuru, Drake, Black Coffee, Major Lazer, Runtown, C4 Pedro, TRESOR, Kabza De Small, Era Istrefi, Mpura, Young Stunna and Killer Kau. He was signed to Kalawa Jazmee Records prior to establishing his own record label, BlaqBoy Music.
Amanda "Ami" Faku is a South African singer, performer and songwriter. Born and raised in the township of eZinyoka, Gqeberha. Faku rose to fame as a contestant on The Voice SA season 2 in 2017, prior getting recognition in the music industry.
Charmaine Shamiso Mapimbiro, professionally known as Sha Sha, is a Zimbabwean-born singer-songwriter from Mutare. Hailed by many as the "Queen of amapiano", her career began in 2011, at the age of 17 and later was discovered by Audius Mtawarira. She gained popularity for her collaborations with South African amapiano producers such as DJ Maphorisa and Kabza de Small.
The 26th Annual South African Music Awards were held on 3–7 August 2020. Unlike previous years shows, the ceremony was broadcast as a five-night event, with the first four episodes being 30 minutes long, while the fifth one was a 45-minute grand finale. It was held virtually due to the effects of COVID-19 lockdowns, and for the first time, the award show was to be broadcast live on Multichoice's Mzansi Magic Channel. This was the first year the show was broadcast live via My Muze by Vodacom.
Peleka Lwana, known professionally as Nia Pearl, is a South African singer and songwriter. She gained popularity for her collaborations with South African Amapiano producers such as DJ Maphorisa and Kabza De Small.
Mukengerwa Tresor Riziki, best known by his stage name TRESOR, is a Congolese-born singer, songwriter, music producer, entrepreneur and philanthropist. He gained prominence in 2015 after releasing his single "Mount Everest" from his debut album, VII. His name "Tresor", when translated from French, means "treasure".
Tumelo Manyoni known professionally as Mr JazziQ, is a South African Amapiano DJ and record producer. He is best known for being a former member of the amapiano DJ duo, JazziDisciples.
The 27th Annual South African Music Awards were the 27th edition of the South African Music Awards. The award show was broadcast live on SABC 1 on July 31, 2021 and was held virtually due to the effects of COVID-19 lockdowns.
RUMBLE IN THE JUNGLE is an amapiano collaborative album by TRESOR, DJ Maphorisa and Kabza De Small. It was released on 9 April 2021 and features guest appearances from local South African musicians such as Tyler ICU, Mas Musiq and the Cape Town band Beatenberg. The 14-track album is composed of TRESOR's vocals, which are combined from genres such as amapiano, Kwassa kwassa, rumba, salsa, bubblegum and Afrobeats. The album also alternates between Swahili, French, English, Zulu and Lingala.
MFR Souls is a South African amapiano music duo founded in 2012 by Tumelo Nedondwe and Tumelo Mabe, both of whom are DJ and music producers from Katlehong in the East Rand of Johannesburg. Their hit single "Love You Tonight" was commercial success certified platinum in South Africa.
Motion is the fourth studio album by Congolese-born singer TRESOR. It was released through Jacquel Entertainment Group on October 15, 2021, and features guest appearances from local South African musicians such as Ami Faku, Msaki, Da Capo, Sun-El Musician and Scorpion Kings.
Asanda Lusaseni Mvana known professionally as Msaki, is a South African composer, singer, and songwriter. Born and grew up in East London, during her childhood she was involved in musical activities. Her career in music began in 2008, at the age of 20, when she was a member of alternative rock band while attending college.
Lethabo Sebetso, professionally known as Focalistic, is a South African rapper. He rose to prominence after his single "Ke Star", reached number 16 on Billboard Top Triller Global charts. Born and raised in Pretoria, Sebetso was a footballer prior pursuing a music career as a rapper, released his debut studio album Sgubhu Ses Excellent (2020).
Babili Amos Shili, popularly known by his stage name Aymos is a South African singer-songwriter. He is best known for the hit single "Emcimbini" which was produced by Kabza De Small and DJ Maphorisa.
Sandile Fortune Msimango, popularly known by his stage name Young Stunna is a South African singer. He is known for his hit singles "Bopha" and "Adiwele". He has also extensively worked with record producers DJ Maphorisa and Kabza De Small.
Mthuthuzeli Gift Khoza, known commonly by his stage name De Mthuda, is a South African record producer and DJ. He is best known for his singles "Shesha Geza" and "John Wick ".
"Abalele" is a South African amapiano song produced by Kabza de Small and DJ Maphorisa, featuring the vocals of Ami Faku. It was released on September 17, 2021, and became a hit in South Africa, topping the Apple Music charts and becoming the country's fourth most-streamed song of 2021 on Spotify.
I Am the King of Amapiano: Sweet & Dust is a third solo studio album by South African DJ Kabza de Small, released through Piano Hub on June 26, 2020.
KOA II Part 1 is the fourth studio album by South African DJ Kabza De Small, released on June 16, 2022, through Piano Hub. The album features guest appearances from DJ Maphorisa, Ami Faku, Msaki, Young Stunna, Kwesta, Bob Mabena, Mhaw Keys and more.
"Imithandazo" is an amapiano song by Kabza de Small and Mthunzi from their collaborative studio album Isimo (2023). It was released on 27 October 2023 by Piano Hub under exclusive license from Sony Music Entertainment Africa, it features guest appearances from DJ Maphorisa, Sizwe Alakine, Young Stunna, and Umthakathi Kush with production handled by Kabza de Small and DJ Maphorisa, collectively known as Scorpion Kings.