Scorpion Kings is the joint name of two South African producers, Kabza De Small and DJ Maphorisa. Since their 2019 debut EP, the duo has turned township amapiano into an arena-filling sound. Here is how the partnership works, what to play first, and where each man’s solo catalogue fits.
Last checked: October 29, 2026.
Who are the Scorpion Kings?
Scorpion Kings is a duo with two strong solo careers behind it.
Kabza De Small (born Kabelo Petrus Motha) is the producer and DJ most often credited with shaping amapiano’s modern sound. He builds long, patient tracks around rolling log-drum basslines and jazzy keys. He runs his own imprint, Piano Hub.
DJ Maphorisa (born Themba Sonnyboy Sekowe, from Soshanguve) came up through house music. His early profile came with the group Uhuru. He later picked up international production credits, including Major Lazer’s “Particula.” He runs Blaq Boy Music.
Together they play to their strengths. Kabza brings the deep amapiano groove. Maphorisa brings a hitmaker’s ear for hooks and features.
Career timeline
| Year | Moment |
|---|---|
| 2019 | Debut album Scorpion Kings lands and spreads fast across South African clubs |
| 2019 | The Return of Scorpion Kings follows within months |
| 2020 | Kabza drops his solo epic I Am the King of Amapiano: Sweet & Dust |
| 2021 | Rumble in the Jungle, a joint project with Congolese-South African singer Tresor |
| 2025 | Scorpion Kings Live returns, billed as “with friends” |
We have not confirmed the 2026 touring or release plans. We will update this page once they are announced.
The live shows
Scorpion Kings Live has grown into a brand of its own. It works like a showcase as well as a DJ set. The duo shares the stage with the vocalists who sing on their records. That is why the 2025 edition carried the “with friends” tag. Official aftermovies and long live mixes, some running well over an hour, keep the shows circulating after the night ends.
Best songs to start with
- “Emcimbini”: the slow-burning anthem from the first wave
- “Abalele”: a vocal-led favourite that shows their softer side
- “Akulaleki” (Samthing Soweto, featuring the duo and Mlindo The Vocalist): proof of how well they lift a singer
Listen next
Play Kabza De Small’s I Am the King of Amapiano: Sweet & Dust to hear the solo sound that anchors the duo.
Featured on
Much of the Scorpion Kings’ reach comes from feature credits on other artists’ songs. “Akulaleki” is the best example. Expect to find their names in the “feat.” line across South African charts, not only on their own albums.
More by Kabza De Small
Kabza’s solo work runs longer and deeper. I Am the King of Amapiano: Sweet & Dust (2020) is his best-known solo album. His KOA II series continued the “King of Amapiano” theme.
More by DJ Maphorisa
Maphorisa’s catalogue is wider in genre. It covers house, pop crossovers and collaborations with Tyler ICU on tracks like “Banyana.”
Myth
The claim: the Scorpion Kings invented amapiano. The facts: the sound grew in Gauteng’s townships years before their 2019 debut. What they did was scale it, with polished albums and stadium-sized shows.
Amapiano often gets lumped in with afrobeats music. It is a separate sound, rooted in South African house rather than Nigerian pop.
FAQ
Who are the Scorpion Kings?
They are Kabza De Small and DJ Maphorisa, two South African producers who record and perform together.
What genre do the Scorpion Kings make?
Amapiano, a South African style built on log-drum bass, piano and deep house rhythms.
What is the first Scorpion Kings release?
Scorpion Kings, an EP released in 2019.
Do they still release solo music?
Yes. Both keep active solo catalogues alongside the duo’s joint projects.