# Kabza de Small

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. 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 thirteen South African Music Awards, four Metro FM Music Awards, three AmaPiano Music Awards, two Mzansi Viewers Choice Awards, one Sunday Times GenNext, and one Dance Music Awards South Africa.

## Life and career

Born and raised in eMalahleni, Mpumalanga, later Motha with his brother Sphelele Xaki who is an Electrical engineer and philanthropist 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. Kabza established his own record label PianoHub.
His breakthrough single "Umshove" featuring South African singer Leehleza was released in 2018. On 1 October 2019, he released Piano Hub with DJ Maphorisa. The Extended play was certified 3× platinum in South Africa. The Return of Scorpion Kings was released on 29 November 2019.
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. The concert was postponed due to the COVID-19 outbreak, and was rescheduled to 9 August.
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. In December 2020, Kabza was listed as the most streamed South African artist by Spotify. 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. Rumble in the Jungle, a collaborative studio album by Kabza de Small, DJ Maphorisa, and Tresor was released on 9 April 2021.
Motha was ranked at number 18 on Forbes Africa's 30 under 30 list in June 2021.
In July 2021, he was featured on Rolling Stone magazine for his musical career.
On 27 September, Kabza and DJ Maphorisa released "Abalele" featuring South African singer Ami Faku. The song debuted number 4 on the Spotify charts and number 1 on the official South African Music Charts.
Kabza appeared on a collaboration "Siyabonga", with DJ Zinhle, Nokwazi, and Black Motion released on 26 November 2021. The song debuted number 24 on both Local and International streaming charts.
In early January 2022, he announced his album KOA II Part 1, on his Instagram account. The album was set to be released on 16 June 2022.
His studio EP Ziwangale was released on 22 April 2022. 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.
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.
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.
KOA II Part 1 (pronounced King of Amapiano 2 Part 1) was released on 16 June 2022.
The album debuted number 11 on iTunes top 100 chart, and "Khusela" peaked number 1 on Apple Music charts.
In June 2022, Motha announced a 3 leg tour that ran from 24 to 26 June.
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 4 November.
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. 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.
In early July 2023, Kabza was reported as a producer of Drake's It's All a Blur Tour.
"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 Orchestra was sold out in 5 hours becoming the first artist to do so. It was held at Lyric Theatre, Gold Reef City, Johannesburg on 8 June 2024. 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 9 June.
"Kabza Chant" featuring Young Stunna, Nkosazana Daughter, Mthunzi, Nokwazi, Anzo, Mashudu, Marumba Pitch, and Tman X-Press was released on 7 June 2024. It debuted at number 1 on SA Spotify Daily Charts.

## Awards and nominations
### All Africa Music Awards

| Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result |
| 2022 | "Adiwele" | African Fans Favourite | Nominated |
| 2022 | KOA II | Album of the Year | Nominated |
| 2022 | Himself | Artist of the Year | Nominated |

### Dance Music Awards South Africa

| Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result | Ref. |
| 2019 | "Amantombazane" | Best Amapiano Record | Won | |

### DStv Mzansi Viewers' Choice Awards

| Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result |
| 2020 | "Nana Thula" | Favourite Song of the Year | Nominated |
| 2020 | Himself | Favourite Rising Star | Won |
| 2020 | Himself | Favourite DJ | Won |
| 2022 | "Asibe Happy" | Favourite Song | Nominated |
| 2022 | Scorpion Kings (Kabza de Small and DJ Maphorisa) | Favourite music artist/group | Nominated |
| 2022 | Scorpion Kings (Kabza de Small and DJ Maphorisa) | Favourite DJ | Nominated |

### South African Amapiano Music Awards

| Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result |
| 2021 | Scorpion Kings Live | Amapiano Album of the Year | Nominated |
| 2021 | Scorpion Kings | Best Amapiano Male DJ Act | Won |
| 2021 | Himself | Best Amapiano Music Producer | Won |
| 2021 | "Emcimbini" | Best Amapiano Collaboration | Won |
| 2023 | "Abalele" | Song of the Year | Cancelled |
| 2023 | "Asibe Happy" | Song of the Year | Cancelled |
| 2023 | "Khusela" featuring Msaki | Song of the Year | Cancelled |
| 2023 | "Khusela" featuring Msaki | Best AmaPiano Produced Song | Cancelled |
| 2023 | "Khusela" featuring Msaki | Best Amapiano Collaboration | Cancelled |
| 2023 | "Asibe Happy" | Best Amapiano Collaboration | Cancelled |
| 2023 | KOA II Part 1 | Best AmaPiano Album/Ep | Cancelled |
| 2023 | Himself | Best AmaPiano Producer | Cancelled |
| 2023 | Himself | AmaPiano Artist of the Year | Cancelled |

### South African Music Awards

| Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result |
| 2020 | Scorpion Kings (DJ Maphorisa, Kabza De Small, MFR Souls & Virgo Deep) | Album of the Year | Won |
| 2020 | Scorpion Kings (DJ Maphorisa, Kabza De Small, MFR Souls & Virgo Deep) | Best Kwaito/Gqom/Amapiano | Nominated |
| 2020 | The Return of the Scorpion Kings (Kabza De Small and DJ Maphorisa) | Best Kwaito/Gqom/Amapiano | Nominated |
| 2021 | Once Upon A Time in Lockdown – Kabza De Small & DJ Maphorisa (Scorpion Kings) | Album of the year | Won |
| 2021 | I Am The King of Amapiano: Sweet & Dust | Album of the year | Nominated |
| 2021 | I Am The King of Amapiano: Sweet & Dust | Male Artist of the Year | Won |
| 2021 | Once Upon A Time in Lockdown (Scorpion Kings) | Duo/Group of the Year | Won |
| 2021 | Once Upon A Time in Lockdown (Scorpion Kings) | Best Amapiano Album | Won |
| 2021 | I Am The King of Amapiano: Sweet & Dust | Best Amapiano Album | Nominated |
| 2022 | "Asibe Happy" | Record of the Year | Nominated |
| 2022 | "Abalele" | Record of the Year | Nominated |
| 2022 | "Abalele" | Most Streamed Song of the Year | Won |
| 2023 | Speak N Vrostaan (with Kwesta) | Best Kwaito Album | Won |
| 2023 | KOA II Part 1 | Best Produced Album | Won |
| 2023 | KOA II Part 1 | Best Amapiano Album | Won |
| 2023 | Scorpion Kings Live Sun Arena (with DJ Maphorisa) | Duo/Group of the Year | Won |
| 2024 | "Kulula" | RiSA Audio Visual Music Video of the Year | Nominated |
| 2024 | "Nana Thula" | Motsepe Foundation Record of the Year | Nominated |
| 2024 | "Gangnam Style" | Motsepe Foundation Record of the Year | Nominated |
| 2024 | "Imithandazo" | Motsepe Foundation Record of the Year | Nominated |
| 2024 | "Imithandazo" | Best Collaboration | Nominated |
| 2024 | Isimo | Motsweding FM Best Amapiano Album | Won |
| 2024 | Isimo | Radio 2000 Duo/Group of the Year | Won |
| 2024 | Isimo | SAMPRA Album of the Year | Won |

### Sunday Times GenNext

| Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result | Ref. |
| 2021 | Himself | Coolest Local Club DJ | Won | |

### Trace Awards

| Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result | Ref. |
| 2025 | "Imithandazo" | Best DJ | Nominated | |
| 2025 | "Imithandazo" | Best Producer | Nominated | |

### Urban Music Awards

| Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result |
| 2025 | Himself | Artist of the Year | Pending |
| 2025 | Isimo | Best Album | Pending |
| 2025 | Isimo | Best Collaboration | Pending |
| 2025 | Himself | Best Amapiano Act | Pending |
| 2025 | Himself | Best Male Act | Pending |
| 2025 | Himself | Best Producer | Pending |
| 2025 | "A-Z (Yashi Moto)" | Best Music Video | Pending |

### Mzansi Kwaito and House Music Awards

| Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result | Ref. |
| 2021 | "Emcimbini" | Most Voted Song | Nominated | |

### Metro FM Music Awards

| Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result |
| 2023 | "Khusela" featuring Msaki | Song of the Year | Nominated |
| 2023 | "Khusela" featuring Msaki | Best Amapiano Song | Nominated |
| 2023 | "Mrholo Wayizolo" Kabza de Small & Kwesta | Best Kwaito/Gqom | Nominated |
| 2023 | "Mrholo Wayizolo" Kabza de Small & Kwesta | Best duo/Group Song | Nominated |
| 2023 | Himself | Best Male Artist | Nominated |
| 2024 | "Imithandazo" | Song of the Year | Won |
| 2024 | "Imithandazo" | Best Collaboration | Won |
| 2024 | "Imithandazo" | Best Amapiano | Won |
| 2024 | Isimo | Best Produced Album | Won |
| 2024 | Himself | Best Male | Nominated |
| 2025 | Himself | Best Male | Pending |
| 2025 | Himself | Artist of the Year | Pending |
| 2025 | "Hayi Baba" | Best Dance Song | Pending |
| 2025 | "Wishi Wishi" | Best Collaboration Song | Pending |
| 2025 | "Wishi Wishi" | Best Viral Challenge | Pending |
| 2025 | "Wishi Wishi" | Song of the Year | Pending |

### Listicles

Name of publisher, name of listicle, year(s) listed, and placement result :
| Publisher | Year | Listicle | Placement | Ref. |
| Forbes | 2021 | 30 Under 30 | Placed | |

## Honors

* Musician of the Year- presented Bisquit: Kabza De Small — GQ South Africa (2024)

## Discography
### Studio albums

* Avenue Sound (2016)
* Pretty Girls Love Amapiano (2019)
* Pretty Girls Love Amapiano 2 (2020)
* I Am the King of Amapiano: Sweet & Dust (2020)
* KOA II Part 1 (2022)
* Rekere (2023)

### Collaborative albums

* Scorpion Kings EP (with DJ Maphorisa) (2019)
* Piano Hub EP (with DJ Maphorisa) (2019)
* The Return of the Scorpion Kings (with DJ Maphorisa) (2019)
* Scorpion Kings Live at Sun Arena (with DJ Maphorisa) (2020)
* Once Upon a Time in a Lockdown (with DJ Maphorisa) (2020)
* Petle Petle EP (with DJ Maphorisa & King Deetoy) (2021)
* Rumble in the Jungle (with DJ Maphorisa & TRESOR) (2021)
* Pretty Girls Love Amapiano 3 (with Mdu aka Trp) (2021)
* Scorpion Kings Live Sun Arena (with DJ Maphorisa) (2022)
* Speak N Vrostaan (with Kwesta) (2022)
* The Konka Mixtape: Sweet & Dust (with DJ Maphorisa) (2023)
* Isimo with Mthunzi (2023)

### EPs

* Ziwangale (2022)

## Singles
### As lead artist

List of singles as lead artist, with selected chart positions and certifications, showing year released and album name :
| Title | Year | Peak chart positions | Certifications | Album |
| Title | Year | ZA | Certifications | Album |
| "Heavenly Elements" (V.Soul, Kabza De Small) | 2015 | | | Non-album single |
| "Let It Flow" (Spumante, Kabza De Small) | 2018 | | | Non-album single |
| "Never" | 2018 | | | Non-album single |
| "Bamba la" (featuring Leehleza & Stokie) | 2019 | | | Non-album single |
| "Funu" (Kabza De Small, DJ Maphorisa, Tresor) | 2020 | | | Rumble In The Jungle |
| "Why Ngikufela" (featuring Sha Sha & DJ Maphorisa) | 2020 | | | I Am the King of Amapiano: Sweet & Dust |
| "Lala Ngoxolo (Kabza De Small, Kelvin Momo featuring Mhaw Keys) | 2020 | | | Non-album single |
| "Abalele" (Kabza De Small, DJ Maphorisa featuring Ami Faku) | 2021 | | | Non-album single |
| "Siyabonga" (DJ Zinhle, Black Motion, Kabza De Small, Nokwazi) | 2021 | | | Non-album single |
| "Asibe Happy" (Kabza De Small, DJ Maphorisa featuring Ami Faku) | 2021 | | | Non-album single |
| "Nduma Ndumane" (Mawhoo, Kabza De Small, DJ Maphorisa featuring Da Muziqal Chef) | 2023 | | | Non-album single |
| "Kelaphile" (Mr Brown, Kabza De Small featuring Deeper Phil & Mkeyz) | 2023 | | | Manasseh |
| "Nyuku" (LaTique, Chronical Deep, Kabza De Small) | 2023 | | | Non-album single |
| "Ucingo" (Mashudu, Kabza De Small) | 2023 | | | Non-album single |
| "uNonkosi" (Young Stunna, Kabza De Small featuring Deeper Phil & Mfundo Da DJ) | 2023 | | | Non-album single |
| "Ungiphethe Kahle" (Kabza De Small, DJ Maphorisa featuring Nokwazi, Mawhoo, Mashudu, Lee Art) | 2023 | | | Non-album single |
| "Moshomo" (Mr Brown, Kabza De Small) | 2023 | | | Non-album single |
| "I Have Decided" (Earful Soul, Kabza De Small, Stakev featuring EnoSoul, Artwork Sounds) | 2023 | — | Gold | Ear II Heart |
| "Kabza Chant" (featuring Mthunzi, Young Stunna, Nkosazana Daughter, Murumba Pitch, Mashudu, Anzo, Nokwazi, T-Man Xpress) | 2024 | 1 | | Non-album single |
| "Bang'bize" (Leehleza, Kabza De Small featuring Young Stunna) | 2024 | | | Non-album single |
| "uKhome Lotto" (Dinho, Tumza D' Kota, Kabza De Small featuring Optimist Music ZA, A'gzo, Seun1401, El.Stephano) | 2024 | — | | Non-album single |
| "Yebo" (Jnr SA, Darque, Kabza De Small) | 2024 | — | | Non-album single |
| "Ngifa Nawe" (MFR Souls, Kabza De Small featuring MaWhoo, Bassie, T-Man SA, Shane907) | 2024 | — | | Non-album single |
| "3 Step to Funk" (Sponge 101, Soul Nativez, Kabza De Small) | 2024 | — | | Non-album single |
| "Hero To Zero" (Mkeyz, Kabza De Small) | 2024 | — | | Non-album single |
| "Hayi Baba" (Chronical Deep, Latique, Kabza De Small featuring Leehleza, Ezra) | 2024 | — | | Non-album single |
| "Akan'hloniphi" (King Deetoy, Kabza De Small, DJ Maphorisa featuring Hulumeni) | 2024 | — | | Non-album single |
| "You Can Win" (Earful Soul, Poizen, Kabza De Small) | 2024 | — | | Against All Odds |
| "Wishi Wishi" (Kabza De Small, Vigro Deep, DJ Maphorisa featuring Scotts Maphuma, Young Stunna) | 2024 | 2 | | Non-album single |
| "Iza Mawala" (Tycoon, SLY, Kabza De Small featuring Dladla Mshunqisi & Goldmax) | 2024 | — | | Non-album single |
| "Impi" (Murumba Pitch, Kabza De Small, Mthunzi featuring Phila Dlozi) | 2024 | — | | Impi |
| "Nkosi" (Darque, Kabza De Small, Dlala Thukzin, Sino Msolo) | 2024 | — | | Non-album single |
| "Nasempini" (Kabza De Small, Spirit of Praise featuring Ayanda Ntanzi, DJ Maphorisa, Stavek) | 2024 | — | | Non-album single |
| "—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory. |||||

### As featured artist

List of singles as featured artist, with selected chart positions and certifications, showing year released and album name :
| Title | Year | Peak chart positions | Certifications | Album |
| Title | Year | ZA | Certifications | Album |
| "Akulaleki" (Samthing Soweto featuring Sha Sha, DJ Maphorisa & Kabza De Small) | 2019 | | | Isphithiphithi |
| "Awesome God" (Artwork Sounds, Bee Bar featuring Kabza De Small) | 2023 | 24 | RiSA: Gold | The Gospel According To Artwork Sounds Chapter II |
| "Uzongenzani" (Nkosazana Daughter featuring Kabza De Small, DJ Maphorisa) | 2023 | — | | Uthingo Le Nkosazana |
| "Noma Kanjani" (Sino Msolo featuring Kabza De Small, MaWhoo & Azana) | 2023 | — | | Non-album single |
| "Malume" (Elvirgo, Tallex Q featuring Makhadzi, Kabza De Small & Lxrd Mordecai) | 2023 | — | | Non-album single |
| "Bayabuza" (Pervader, Young Stunna featuring Kabza De Small, SLY) | 2023 | — | | Non-album single |
| "Expedition" (Poiżen featuring Kabza De Small, Jus Funo, Seraph im) | 2023 | — | | Lowkey |
| "High Senses" (Deeper Phil, Chronical Deep, Latique featuring Kabza De Small) | 2024 | — | | Non-album single |
| "Esgela" (Aymos featuring Eemoh, Kabza De Small) | 2024 | — | | Non-album single |
| "Vukani" (Pervader featuring Kabza De Small, SLY) | 2024 | — | | Non-album single |
| "Mbambeni" (Dench, SLY featuring Kabza De Small, TYCOON) | 2024 | — | | Non-album single |
| "Ngempela" (Mashudu, Shakes & Les featuring Kabza De Small, Murumba Pitch) | 2024 | — | | Non-album single |
| "—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory. |||||

### Guest appearances

| Title | Year | Other artist(s) | Album |
| "I Wanna Be" | 2020 | Black Motion | The Healers: The Last Chapter |
| "Impendulo" | 2023 | Darque, Berita | More Life |
| "2 Step" | 2024 | Shimza, DJ Vitoto | Dreaming |

## Other charted and certified songs

List of other charted songs, with selected chart positions and certifications, showing year released and album name :
| Title | Year | Peak chart positions | Certifications | Album |
| Title | Year | ZA | Certifications | Album |
| "Imithandazo" (Kabza De Small, Mthunzi featuring Young Stunna, DJ Maphorisa, Sizwe Alakine & Umthakathi Kush) | 2023 | 1 | | Isimo |
| "Amazwe" (Kabza De Small featuring MaWhoo & Mthunzi) | 2023 | 7 | | Isimo |
| "—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory. |||||