Kabza De Small

From HitStory, the pop encyclopedia of School of Rock · Artist

Kabza De Small · Kabza de Small is the stage name of Kabelo Petrus Motha, a South African DJ, producer and label owner, born in 1992. He grew up in eMalahleni in Mpumalanga and later moved with his brother to Pretoria. His musical career began in 2009. He signed with Tyrique de Bruyne and in 2016 released his first album, Avenue Sound, on Bestbyfar Records. He then founded a label of his own, PianoHub.

Music and breakthrough

He is a big name in amapiano, a South African variant of house music. His breakthrough came in 2018 with the single Umshove, with the singer Leehleza. In 2019 came Piano Hub, an EP with DJ Maphorisa that went triple platinum in South Africa. Together they form the Scorpion Kings, and at the end of 2019 The Return of Scorpion Kings was released. In 2020 followed his album I Am the King of Amapiano: Sweet & Dust, which went straight to number one in South Africa. That same year he was, according to Spotify, the most streamed South African artist. In 2021 he made the album Rumble in the Jungle with Maphorisa and Tresor.

Influence

Kabza de Small received seventeen South African Music Awards and in 2021 was named in the Forbes Africa 30 under 30 and in Rolling Stone. Through him the sound of the South African townships gained a place in global dance music. He shows that a new style from the streets of Pretoria can reach an international audience within a few years.

Listening

Discography

Studio albums

• 2016Avenue Sounds
• 2019Scorpion Kings
• 2019The Return of the Scorpion Kings
• 2021Pretty Girls Love Amapiano 3
• 2022KOA II, Part 1
• 2022Speak N Vrostaan
• 2023Isimo
• 2023REKERE
• 2025Bab'Motha
• 2025Kings Will Rise

See also

• KOA II, Part 1