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. On 1 October 2019, he released
Piano Hub with
DJ Maphorisa. The EP was certified 3× platinum in South Africa. 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 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.
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. His studio album ''Bab' Motha'' was released on July 18, 2025. The album debuted number 9 on Spotify Top Global Album Charts, becoming his first album to top that chart. In early March 2026, Kabza announced his upcoming studio album
Tutu, via Instagram and released "Impilo" with Mkeyz as albums leads single. The album is scheduled for release on June 5, 2026. == Awards and nominations ==