dj maphorisa, xduppy & kabza de small

Biography

DJ Maphorisa (Themba Sonnyboy Sekowe), born November 15, 1987, in Soshanguve, Pretoria, South Africa, is a pioneering DJ, producer, and songwriter whose career has profoundly shaped the soundscape of modern South African music. Raised in a musically rich environment—his mother was a gospel singer—Maphorisa was exposed to diverse genres from an early age, which later informed his eclectic production style. His professional journey began as a member of the group Uhuru, where he contributed to major hits like 'Y-Tjukutja' and 'Khona,' blending traditional African rhythms with contemporary beats and earning national recognition.[4]

Maphorisa's solo career soared as he became a central figure in the rise of amapiano, a genre characterized by deep basslines, melodic piano riffs, and percussive rhythms. He has released numerous acclaimed albums, including 'Scorpion Kings' with Kabza De Small, 'I Am the King of Amapiano,' and 'Gqom Is the Future.' His work has not only dominated South African charts but also achieved international acclaim, notably co-producing Drake's global hit 'One Dance.' Maphorisa's collaborations span a wide spectrum of artists, including Wizkid, Major Lazer, and Black Coffee, and his entrepreneurial spirit led him to found BlaqBoy Music, a label fostering new talent and innovation in the industry.[4][1][2]

Kabza De Small (Kabelo Motha), often called the 'King of Amapiano,' is a frequent collaborator and creative partner. Together, their 'Scorpion Kings' projects have become synonymous with the genre's global rise. Xduppy is a newer-generation producer and DJ closely associated with both Maphorisa and Kabza De Small, contributing to the evolving sound of amapiano through collaborative tracks and live performances. Collectively, these artists have not only popularized amapiano but also influenced the broader African and global music scenes through their innovation, mentorship, and cross-genre experimentation.[2][5][4]

Fun Facts

• DJ Maphorisa co-produced Drake's 2016 global hit 'One Dance,' which topped charts worldwide.[4]
• He was the first African DJ to appear on the cover of Forbes Africa magazine in 2022.[1]
• Maphorisa has performed at major international festivals including Coachella and Glastonbury.[1]
• He is known for his entrepreneurial approach, founding BlaqBoy Music to foster new talent and reshape the business side of South African music.[4][5]

Musical Connections

Mentors/Influences

• Maphorisa's mother - Gospel singer; early musical influence and inspiration (N/A) [1987–present]

Key Collaborators

• Kabza De Small - Frequent collaborator and co-creator of 'Scorpion Kings' projects; together they pioneered the modern amapiano sound (Scorpion Kings, The Konka Mixtape: Sweet and Dust, Abalele) [2019–present]
• Xduppy - Producer and DJ; works closely with Maphorisa and Kabza De Small on amapiano tracks and live shows (Collaborative singles and live performances) [2020s]
• Uhuru - Member of the group; contributed to early hits blending African and contemporary sounds (Y-Tjukutja, Khona) [2010s]
• TRESOR - Collaborative albums and production work (Rumble in the Jungle) [2021]
• Wizkid - Collaborative performances and production (Made in Lagos Tour (opening act), production credits) [2021]

Artists Influenced

• Sha Sha - Mentored and produced for her; helped launch her career in amapiano (Collaborative tracks and productions) [2019–present]
• Focalistic - Influenced by Maphorisa's amapiano innovation and business model (Collaborative singles) [2020s]
• Emerging South African producers - Mentored through BlaqBoy Music and industry leadership (Various BlaqBoy Music releases) [2017–present]

Discography

Albums

Top Tracks

1. Wishi Wishi (feat. Scotts Maphuma & Young Stunna)
2. Imithandazo (feat. Young Stunna, DJ Maphorisa, Sizwe Alakine & Umthakathi Kush) (Isimo)
3. A-Z (Yashi Moto)
4. Abalele
5. Kabza Chant 2.0 (feat. Nobuhle, Nkosazana Daughter & Sykes)
6. Amazwe (feat. Mawhoo) (Isimo)
7. Asibe Happy
8. Ethongweni (feat. Cnethemba Gonelo) (Thato Ya Modimo)
9. Iza Mawala (feat. Dladla Mshunqisi & Goldmax)
10. Amalanga (feat. TO Starquality, Chley & Kabza De Small) (Lane Yam)

External Links

• Spotify
• Wikipedia