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.
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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.
“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.
It makes sense that the iconic duo would celebrate this full-circle moment at the Durban July, where it all began, as the album’s release changed the trajectory of their lives.
The amapiano DJs are also set to host a Scorpion Kings Live with Friends concert in Pretoria, bringing together over 50 000 fans for a night celebrating Amapiano’s rapid rise to fame.
The Hollywoodbets Durban July will take place on Saturday, July 5, at the Hollywoodbets Greyville Racecourse. The event promises a dazzling spectacle of fashion, glamour and competition.