Latest news with #ScorpionKings
IOL News
18-07-2025
- Entertainment
- IOL News
Weekend jams: Kabza De Small and Londie London serve up some of the hottest new tracks
Kabza De Small's new body of work arrives as one of the most anticipated releases of the year. Image: Supplied South Africa's music scene is heating up just in time for the weekend, with new drops across Amapiano, R&B, rap and genre-fusing soul. From iconic returns to unexpected collaborations, here are the must-hear tracks and albums making waves - from Kabza De Small's spiritual soundscapes to Londie London's bold 3-Step bounce. Kabza De Small - 'Bab'Motha' (Album) The King of Amapiano returns with 'Bab'Motha', a deeply personal and spiritually resonant album that showcases Kabza De Small's continued evolution as a producer and artist. Known for his influence on the genre through solo projects and his Scorpion Kings partnership with DJ Maphorisa, Small's new body of work arrives as one of the most anticipated releases of the year. Leading the way is 'Kabza Chant 2.0', a pre-release single that pairs his signature log drum production with soaring vocals from Nobuhle, Nkosazana Daughter and Sykes. The result is a track that feels transcendent, bridging dancefloor energy with emotional depth. The full album promises a mix of familiar collaborators and unexpected pairings, creating moments that are both refreshing and unpredictable. Whether you're a longtime Amapiano fan or just discovering its global pull, 'Bab'Motha' is your weekend essential. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad loading 'Bab'Motha' is a deeply personal and spiritually resonant album that showcases Kabza De Small's continued evolution as a producer and artist. Image: Supplied Isa Marina - 'Volver' (Single) Genre-defying vocalist Isa Marina makes a heartfelt return with 'Volver', an emotive single that seamlessly blends reggaetón, R&B and pop. The song serves as the first glimpse of her forthcoming EP 'Eros', due out in October. But don't let the smooth rhythm fool you - this is a song rooted in emotional truth and spiritual surrender. 'Volver' translates to 'to return', and Marina captures that tension between pride and longing in a relationship that never truly ended - only paused. Produced by Jayallen and directed by Caliber Visions, the track layers lush harmonies with 90s R&B influences, all underpinned by a steady, soothing beat. 'This song came to me as both a surrender and a homecoming,' says Marina. 'It's about letting go of ego and recognising that real love never fully disappears - it just waits for the right time to return.' The result? A hypnotic track that invites listeners to reconnect with themselves and with love. 'Volver' is an emotive single that seamlessly blends reggaetón, R&B and pop. Image: Supplied Seaweed & Melkim G - 'Chance to Live' (Single) Local talents Seaweed and Melkim G come together for 'Chance to Live', a soul-stirring collaboration born from personal experiences with addiction, healing and the pursuit of hope. Produced by MackLaRush, the song seamlessly blends laid-back rap with genre-fluid vocals to create a message-driven anthem that transcends traditional genre boundaries. Seaweed brings a grounded, conversational flow to the track, infusing each verse with raw honesty and a quiet strength. Meanwhile, Melkim G, known for his genre-spanning vocals rooted in gospel, blues and jazz, delivers emotional depth that echoes long after the final note. 'Chance to Live' is more than just music - it's a movement. The track directly speaks to communities navigating mental health challenges, offering an empowering reminder that healing is possible and that resilience begins with truth. The duo aims to connect with youth and adults alike, particularly those seeking comfort, encouragement, and inspiration through storytelling. 'Chance to Live' is a soul-stirring collaboration born from personal experiences with addiction, healing and the pursuit of hope. Image: Supplied SjavasDaDeejay - 'Mpulele' (Single) SjavasDaDeejay has done it again - this time delivering a powerful and soulful reinterpretation of a traditional Sotho classic. 'Mpulele', his new single featuring Lesgo 966, Syfred McKay, Kaygee De Vee and the ever-smooth Jay Sax, is a genre-blending masterpiece that bridges generations. At the heart of 'Mpulele' lies the folk song 'Mangwane Mpulele' ('Aunt, open the door for me'). But SjavasDaDeejay goes beyond a mere remake, instead offering a heartfelt revival that pays homage to the past while reimagining it through an amapiano lens. Sax's velvety lines glide effortlessly over pulsing log drums and layered harmonies, while the three-part vocal arrangements root the track in communal memory. 'Mpulele' reminds us of who we are, where we come from and how rhythm can be both a cultural archive and a joyful escape. 'Mpulele' reminds us of who we are, where we come from and how rhythm can be both a cultural archive and a joyful escape. Image: Supplied Londie London ft. PYY Log Drum King - 'Izandla' (Single) Fresh off a headline-grabbing episode of 'The Real Housewives of Durban', Londie London shifts the narrative back to her artistry with the release of 'Izandla', a 3-Step track dripping in emotional richness. Produced by rising hitmaker PYY Log Drum King, the single pairs London's smooth, sultry vocals with a hypnotic rhythm that feels both intimate and expansive. 'Izandla', meaning 'hands' in isiZulu, is a gratitude anthem that speaks to love, protection and resilience. The lyrics honour both personal growth and spiritual strength, wrapped in the kind of sonic warmth that begs for repeat listens. 'Izandla" is a gratitude anthem that speaks to love, protection and resilience. Image: Supplied Londie proves she's more than a reality star - she's a dynamic vocalist with stories to tell and melodies that move the soul.
The Citizen
18-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Citizen
Martell x Makubenjalo steal the show at Durban July
Martell and Makubenjalo joined forces to create a space where luxury met culture and where global prestige embraced local creativity during the Hollywoodbets Durban July. Hosted by cultural icon Lamiez Holworthy on July 5 and headlined by a genre-defining lineup including KO, Blxckie, Kelvin Momo, and the Scorpion Kings, the Martell x Makubenjalo marquee quickly became the most talked-about destination of the weekend. ALSO READ: Affordable gateway to epic entertainment and productivity Under the theme Marvelous and Class, the experience combined high fashion, bespoke hospitality and cultural celebration backed by a shared belief in the power of collaboration. Katlego 'KG' Bogatsu, the founder of Makubenjalo and Jams on Ice, said, 'We didn't want to just add Martell to the Durban July. 'We wanted to reshape the July experience entirely. Martell gave us the platform, and we brought the vision. 'Together, we created something greater than the sum of its parts, a new standard for how global brands can co-create with local communities.' Media personality, DJ and philanthropist Holworthy shared her experience, 'I've been to many Julys, but this one felt different. It wasn't just about looking the part; it was about being the part. 'The energy, the music, the people, everything was curated with purpose and passion. I was proud to host and entertain at a space that celebrated SA culture on our own terms.' She said. The partnership also demonstrated Martell's commitment to celebrating authentic SA expression, not as an afterthought but as a driving force of its luxury narrative. ALSO READ: Endless entertainment and fun on Disney Insider Prestige and High Energy at Pernod Ricard South Africa's Tintswalo Baloyi outlined that Martell's first presence at the Durban July was to show what happens when legacy meets local. 'Makubenjalo brought cultural precision, and we brought the platform and prestige. It was bold, unapologetic and deeply collaborative. That's the future of brand: storytelling.' At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
IOL News
04-07-2025
- Entertainment
- IOL News
Amapiano royalty: DJ Maphorisa and Kabza de Small toast six years of 'Scorpion Kings' at Hollywoodbets Durban July
Scorpion Kings, DJ Maphorisa and Kabza De Small will be celebrating six years of their joint album at the Hollywoodbets Durban July. Image: Instagram All roads lead to Durban for the annual Hollywoodbets Durban July handicap event, which celebrates horse racing and fashion. Two of amapiano's pioneers, DJ Maphorisa and Kabza de Small, will also be headed to the highly anticipated event of the year to celebrate more than that. The hitmakers are gearing up to celebrate six years of their beloved joint album 'Scorpion Kings' at the Durban July, the event where it all began for them. On July 5, 2019, the duo released the album as their first project while on their way to the Durban July. The acclaimed album was a game changer, introducing the artists as two household names who have maintained that status to this day. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ 'That album wasn't just music - that was the beginning of a movement. We had no idea, driving to Durban that day, just how much our lives and the whole game; was about to change,' said DJ Maphorisa. 'We believed in the sound, and the people believed in us. We'll never forget where it all began,' Kabza De Small added. 'Scorpion Kings' went on to shape what the sound of amapiano has now become while introducing new talented vocalists like Khanyisa Jaceni and Bontle Smith. The album also showcased the versatility of known artists such as Samthing Soweto, who was featured on 'Amantombazane', which went on to be one of the celebrated hits on the album. The success of their debut album led to the release of their sophomore album, 'The Return of the Scorpion Kings', which was released in November 2019. It featured some of South Africa's best talent such as Thandiswa Mazwai and Hugh Masekela, to list a few.
IOL News
03-07-2025
- Entertainment
- IOL News
Join the excitement at the Hollywoodbets Durban July afterparty
DJ Maphorisa and Kabza De Small, together known as Scorpion Kings. Lifestyle Fête The Scorpion Kings, Dlala Thakzin and Oscar Mbo are among the artists performing at the opulent lifestyle fête, Rocket's Wonderland. This exclusive event fuses high fashion with entertainment, gourmet indulgence and otherworldly design into a spectacle that celebrates black excellence, urban sophistication and the spirit of premium living. Where: The Munies Hockey Grounds at the Botanical Gardens. When: Sunday. The time of the event has not been specified. Durban July After-party Mzansi, it's time to shake your move at the SoundLand Durban July After-party. The event will feature electrifying performances from artists like Kabza De Small, Simmy, DJ Bongz and Blxckie. Where: Kings Park Stadium. When: Saturday from 2pm. "Little Shop of Horrors"
TimesLIVE
03-07-2025
- Entertainment
- TimesLIVE
Kwa Piano comic brings the sound of the streets to the page
DJ, producer and radio personality Da Kruk is launching the Kwa Piano comic book, bringing the sound of the streets to the page. Amapiano fans of the genre that's taken over dance floors and airwaves now have their own comic. Kwa Piano Comics, a new weekly graphic series created by amapiano pioneer Kutloano 'Da Kruk' Nhlapo, brings the genre's street-level energy to life in illustrated form. Launched this week, the comic dives deep into the fictionalised origin stories of amapiano's biggest names, capturing the grit, grind and glory behind South Africa's most influential sound. From back rooms in Katlehong to festival stages around the globe, the series celebrates the rise of a genre that grew from taxi ranks and bootlegs into a cultural powerhouse. Speaking to TshisaLIVE, Da Kruk said: 'I created Kwa Piano Comics to preserve and reimagine the culture. Amapiano is more than music, it's movement, mythology and memory. We're documenting the genre's energy through storytelling that young people can hold in their hands.' Each issue blends colourful visual storytelling with real-life references including pivotal moments such as the formation of the Scorpion Kings, the birth of the log drum and the grind of bedroom producers hustling their way onto global playlists. But it's not just about nostalgia. Kwa Piano Comics also serves as a creative launchpad, introducing youth to careers in music, writing, design and technology. Da Kruk, known for championing amapiano from its earliest days on radio and in clubs, said the project is part of a larger effort to archive and elevate South African culture in ways that resonate with Gen Z.
