Kabza De Small

Kabza De Small
Name	Kabza De Small
Birth name	Kabelo Motha
Birth date	1992
Birth place	Mpumalanga, South Africa
Genres	Amapiano, house, gqom
Occupation	DJ, record producer, songwriter
Years active	2012–present
Labels	Piano Hub, Scorpion Kings
Associated acts	DJ Maphorisa, Sjava, Focalistic, Mr JazziQ

Kabza De Small

Kabelo Motha, known professionally as Kabza De Small, is a South African DJ, record producer and songwriter widely credited with popularizing the Amapiano genre across Southern Africa. Rising from regional performances to headlining festivals and dominating charts, he has worked with a range of artists and helped shape contemporary South African popular music. His career bridges collaborations with major figures and independent producers, influencing both mainstream and underground scenes.

Early life and background

Born in Mpumalanga and raised in its townships, Motha's formative years saw early exposure to township culture, Kwaito influences, and local radio scenes in Gauteng and Limpopo. He developed skills on digital audio workstations and DJ equipment while attending community events and performing at local venues associated with scenes around Soweto, Johannesburg, and Durban. Early mentorship and networks connected him to producers active in South African hip hop, House music, and regional collectives in the late 2000s and early 2010s.

Musical career

Motha's career trajectory moved from underground DJ sets to national visibility after releases on independent labels and collaborations with established producers and DJs active in South African dance music, House music, and Amapiano collectives. He co-founded or became closely associated with collectives and labels that organized live events in Cape Town and Johannesburg, and he released a succession of singles and compilations that circulated on streaming platforms and community radio stations like Metro FM. Tours and festival appearances placed him alongside artists from Nigeria, Kenya, and Mozambique, expanding Amapiano's reach into regional markets such as East Africa and West Africa.

Style and influence

His production style blends log drums and mellow keys with percussive shuffles characteristic of Amapiano while drawing on elements from Kwaito, House music, and Gqom. The aesthetic has influenced producers in scenes across South Africa, and has been sampled or adapted by artists in Nigeria, United Kingdom, United States, and Brazil. His approach to arranging DJ-friendly transitions and collaborative vocal features helped shape set structures used at major festivals like Coachella, Glastonbury, and regional events such as Ultra Music Festival South Africa.

Notable works and collaborations

Notable releases include studio projects and joint albums with high-profile figures from South African popular music and beyond, featuring collaborations with artists such as DJ Maphorisa, Sjava, Focalistic, Mr JazziQ, Musa Keys, and Samthing Soweto. He has contributed production to tracks that charted on national streaming charts and received airplay on stations including 5FM and Channel O. Collaborative tours and compilation albums involved partnerships with outfits and promoters linked to events in Europe, Australia, and United States markets.

Awards and recognition

His work has earned nominations and awards from institutions and ceremonies recognizing achievements in African music, including accolades presented by organizations such as the South African Music Awards, regional music charts, and industry publications. He has been featured in year-end lists by prominent outlets and received acknowledgments from peers and industry bodies for shaping the Amapiano movement and influencing modern South African soundscapes.

Personal life and activism

Offstage, Motha maintains ties to his community in Mpumalanga and participates in cultural initiatives and benefit performances that support local talent development programs and youth music education in urban areas like Soweto and Tembisa. He has been involved in charity events and public discussions alongside artists and cultural figures advocating for artist rights, fair remuneration, and industry infrastructure improvements in South African creative sectors.

Category:South African musicians Category:Amapiano musicians Category:Living people