Kabza De Small

Kabelo Motha (born 27 November 1992) better known by his stage name Kabza De Small, is a South African DJ and a record producer. He was born in Mpumalanga and raised in Pretoria,[1] Motha is referred to as the King of the Amapiano genre.[1]

Kabza De Small
Birth nameKabelo Motha
Born (1992-11-27) November 27, 1992
Mpumalanga, South Africa
Genres
Occupation(s)
Instruments
  • Piano
  • Keyboards
  • Drums
Years active2009–present
Labels
  • Afrika House Records
    (former)
  • Gentle Soul Records
    (former)
  • New Money Gang
  • Piano Hub Records
Associated acts

Life and career

Kabelo Motha was born in Mpumalanga, South Africa, and was raised in Pretoria.[2] Motha began his career as a DJ in 2009, venturing in the genres: Afro-fused house and EDM.[3] In 2016, he made his production credits by releasing his debut album, Avenue Sounds under the label, House Afrika Records. In November 2018, he gained attention by releasing songs, "Amabele Shaya" and "Umshove", respectively, featuring guest vocals by the amapiano counterpart, Leehleza. Following both songs, he continued his collaboration with Leehleza as he released the song "Bamba La", on 3 January 2019.

Scorpion Kings, Motha's collaborative studio album with record producer DJ Maphorisa, was released on 5 July 2019, supported by the lead single, "Koko". The album was certified diamond in South Africa, with over 100, 000 units sold.[4] On 1 October 2019, they released their sophomore studio album, Piano Hub, which was supported by the single, "Nana Thula", featuring guest vocals by Njelic.[5] On 18 October 2019, Motha released his second studio album, Pretty Girls Love Amapiano.[6] In continuing his collaboration with DJ Maphorisa, they released their third studio album, The Return of Scorpion Kings, on 29 November 2019.[7] On 4 April 2020 during the COVID-19 national lockdown period, he released an EP titled Pretty Girls Love Amapiano 2. He Released His Solo Album titled I Am The King Of Amapiano: Sweet & Dust On the 26th of June. The album featured both South African & international acts such as Burna Boy, Wizkid, Cassper Nyovest, Daliwonga, Madumane, DJ Maphorisa, Samthing Soweto, Shasha, Mlindo, Bontle Smith[8].

Impact and achievements

Motha is often referred to as the "King of Amapiano".[1] He is considered as one of the best-selling music artist of amapiano, and also one of the pioneers of the genre. With his breakthrough in 2018, he played an instrumental role in popularizing the amapiano genre.[9] On 3 December 2019, Spotify South Africa, named Motha as the most-streamed South African artist in the platform for 2019.[10][11]

Controversy

The king of Amapiano Kabza De Small Instagram account has been hacked 5 times, the 5th time came at the eve of his new album I am The King Of Amapiano: Sweet & Dust, where hackers hijacked his account in order to release his album.[12]

Discography

Studio albums
List of studio albums
Title Album details
Avenue Sounds
  • Released: 4 November 2016
  • Label: House Afrika Records
  • Format: digital download, CD
Pretty Girls Love Amapiano Vol.1
  • Released: 18 October 2019
  • Label: Piano Hub (PTY) LTD
  • Format:digital download, CD
Pretty Girls Love Amapiano Vol.2
I Am the King of Amapiano (Sweet And Dust)[13]

Collaborative albums
List of collaborative albums, with selected details and certifications
Title Album details Certifications
Amapiano Volume 4
(with various artists)
Dreaming Ep
(with Chambers & Spumante)
  • Released: 4 March 2019
  • Label: New Money Gang Records
  • Formats: digital download, CD
Scorpion Kings
(with DJ Maphorisa)
  • Released: 5 July 2019
  • Label: New Money Gang Records
  • Formats: digital download, CD
 RiSA: Diamond[14]
Piano Hub
(with DJ Maphorisa)
  • Released: 1 October 2019
  • Label: New Money Gang Records
  • Formats: digital download, CD
The Return of Scorpion Kings
(with DJ Maphorisa)
  • Released: 29 November 2019
  • Label: New Money Gang Records
  • Formats: digital download, CD
Scorpion Kings Live At Sun Arena 11 April 2020
(with DJ Maphorisa)
  • Released: 31 January 2020
  • Label: New Money Gang Records
  • Formats: digital download, CD
Once Upon A Time In Lockdown
(with DJ Maphorisa)
  • Released: 5 April 2020
  • Label: New Money Gang Records
  • Formats: digital download, CD

Awards and Nominations
Year Award Ceremony Prize Recipient/Nominated Work Result
2020 2020 DStv Mzansi Viewers' Choice Awards Favorite DJ Himself Won
2020 2020 DStv Mzansi Viewers' Choice Awards Favorite Rising Star Himself Won
gollark: I MAY be forced to provide an endpoint which converts your data to JSON.
gollark: But microservices!
gollark: * future
gollark: I'm glad we're embracing the fture.
gollark: This is very microservice.

References
  1. "KABZA DE SMALL IS KING OF AMAPIANO". Daily Sun.
  2. "Kabza De Small Bio and Lyrics". Bimba.
  3. "Kabza De Small". One Nation Music.
  4. "Kabza Says He Will Receive Some Good Rest During Festive Season". ZAlebs.
  5. "ICYMI: Kabza De Small x DJ Maphorisa Bless Fans With Piano hub". Zkhipani.com.
  6. "Listen to Kabza De Small's New EP 'Pretty Girls Love Amapiano'". OkayAfrica.
  7. "DJ Maphorisa and Kabza De Small release much-anticipated album, The Return Of The Scorpion Kings. His latest offering is that of co-producing Blaqboy music present Made With Love EP single Lerato Fela by King Monada". JustNje.
  8. "Album: Kabza De Small – Sweet & Dust". Scooptrend.
  9. "ICYMI: Kabza De Small Graces Us With New Amapiano mix". Zkhipani.
  10. "Kabza De Small tops Spotify streaming list in South Africa". eNCA.
  11. "Kabza De Small is 2019's Most Streamed South African Artist on Spotify by SA Audiences". OkayAfrica.
  12. "Kabza Instagram Account Hacked". Scooptrend.
  13. "I Am the King of Amapiano (Sweet And Dust)Album". Afrobeat ZA. Retrieved 26 June 2020.
  14. "Kabza de Small hits back at exhaustion claims: I've never been more alive". TimesLIVE.
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