Kabelo Petrus Motha (born 27 November 1992), better known by his stage name Kabza De Small, is a South African DJ and record producer. He was born in Mpumalanga and raised in Pretoria. He has been referred to as the king of the Amapiano genre. Motha has collaborated extensively with record producer DJ Maphorisa.
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.
No. 4: Amabele feat. Leehleza – The Afro – House music was released in 2018 and features vocalist “Leehleza”. The song was produced by Kabza de Small.
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. 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. On 18 October 2019, Motha released his second studio album, Pretty Girls Love Amapiano. In continuing his collaboration with DJ Maphorisa, they released their third studio album, The Return of Scorpion Kings, on 29 November 2019. On 4 April 2020 during the COVID-19 national lockdown period, he released an EP titled Pretty Girls Love Amapiano 2. On 26 June 2020, he released his next solo studio album, I Am The King Of Amapiano: Sweet & Dust. The album featured both South African & international acts such as Burna Boy, Wizkid, Cassper Nyovest, Dali Wonga, Madumane, DJ Maphorisa, Samthing Soweto, ShaSha, Mlindo, Bontle Smith.
No. 3: Umshove feat. Leehleza – Also released in 2018 under the House Genre, this comes immediately after their previous collaboration on Amabele.
No. 2: Koko – Collaborative project with Dj maphorisa and features vocals from Mhaw keys . Released in 2019 and was nominated for South Africa Music award for Best music video.
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. On 3 December 2019, Spotify South Africa, named Motha as the most-streamed South African artist in the platform for 2019.
| List of studio albums | |
| Title | |
| Avenue Sounds | · Released: 4 November 2016 |
| Pretty Girls Love Amapiano Vol.1 | · Released: 18 October 2019 |
| Pretty Girls Love Amapiano Vol.2 | · Released: 16 April 2020 |
| I Am the King of Amapiano (Sweet And Dust) | |
He has seven other collaborative Projects.
No. 1: Sponono feat. Madumane, Burna Boy, Wizkid, Cassper Nyovest – Released in 2020 and serves as the most popular single from the album Ï Am The King Of Amapiano: Sweet & Dust” The song topped charts in Ghana, Nigeria and South Africa upon its release.
