kabza de Small/ Wizkid/ Burna boy

Biography

Kabza De Small, born Kabelo Petrus Motha on November 27, 1992, in eMalahleni, Mpumalanga, South Africa, is a pioneering DJ and record producer widely celebrated as the 'King of Amapiano.' Raised in Pretoria, Kabza began his musical journey in 2009, initially exploring Afro-fused house and EDM before gravitating toward the emerging Amapiano sound. His debut album, 'Avenue Sound' (2016), marked his entry into the South African music scene, but it was the 2018 single 'Umshove' featuring Leehleza that propelled him to national prominence and established him as a leading figure in the genre.

Kabza's career reached new heights through his collaboration with DJ Maphorisa, forming the influential duo Scorpion Kings. Together, they released a series of acclaimed projects, including 'Scorpion Kings' (2019), 'Piano Hub' (2019), and 'Rumble in the Jungle' (2021) with TRESOR, which played a crucial role in popularizing Amapiano both locally and internationally. Kabza's music is characterized by its fusion of deep house, jazz, and kwaito elements, creating a distinctive and infectious sound that has garnered millions of streams and a devoted global fanbase. His 2020 double album, 'I Am the King of Amapiano: Sweet & Dust,' further showcased his versatility and solidified his legacy as a genre-defining artist.

Despite facing early career challenges, including financial struggles and skepticism from his community, Kabza's perseverance and innovative approach have earned him widespread acclaim, including multiple South African Music Awards and recognition on Forbes Africa's '30 under 30' list. He remains a private individual, recently marrying his longtime partner Kamogelo Moropa, and continues to shape the evolution of Amapiano through both his solo work and prolific collaborations.

Fun Facts

• Kabza De Small is often called the 'King of Amapiano' and is credited as one of the genre's founding architects.
• He founded his own record label, PianoHub, to nurture emerging Amapiano talent.
• Kabza is known for his prolific output, sometimes releasing multiple albums or EPs in a single year.
• Despite his fame, Kabza maintains a low public profile and rarely gives in-depth interviews.

Musical Connections

Mentors/Influences

• DJ Maphorisa - Key collaborator and mentor figure, instrumental in Kabza's rise and the development of Amapiano. (Scorpion Kings (2019), Piano Hub (2019), The Return of Scorpion Kings (2019), Rumble in the Jungle (2021)) [2018–present]

Key Collaborators

• DJ Maphorisa - Formed the Scorpion Kings duo, co-producing and co-releasing multiple albums and singles. (Scorpion Kings, Piano Hub, The Return of Scorpion Kings, Rumble in the Jungle) [2018–present]
• Leehleza - Frequent vocal collaborator, featured on breakthrough tracks. (Umshove, Amabele Shaya, Bamba La) [2018–2019]
• TRESOR - Collaborated on joint album with Scorpion Kings. (Rumble in the Jungle) [2021]
• Wizkid - Collaborated on cross-continental tracks, blending Amapiano with Afrobeats. (Various singles and remixes) [2021–present]
• Burna Boy - Collaborated on Amapiano-influenced tracks and remixes. (Various singles and remixes) [2021–present]
• Young Stunna - Frequent collaborator on Amapiano projects. (Various singles) [2021–present]

Artists Influenced

• Young Stunna - Inspired by Kabza's production style and featured on his tracks. (Adiwele, other Amapiano hits) [2021–present]
• Focalistic - Adopted Amapiano sound popularized by Kabza. (Ke Star, other collaborations) [2020–present]
• Kelvin Momo - Cites Kabza as a major influence in shaping his approach to Amapiano. (Solo albums, collaborations) [2019–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