5 Minutes With Prince Kaybee [Interview]

Prince Kaybee, the legendary South African Afro-house DJ, producer, and television personality, stands as one of the genre’s most powerful global ambassadors, seamlessly fusing deep African roots with infectious international dance energy. Fresh from inking a major deal with the world-class electronic label PLAYY. Records and unleashing his euphoric new single ‘Heno Babayo‘ on 26 June 2026, the artist born Kabelo Motsamai continues his unstoppable ascent built on platinum-selling anthems such as ‘Club Controller‘, ‘Banomoya‘, and ‘Uwrongo‘, with the latter crowned in TIME Magazine’s 10 Best Songs of 2020. His star-studded collaborations with Lady Zamar, Busiswa, TNS, Shimza, Black Motion, and Ami Faku have helped define modern South African dance music, while his trophy case overflows with multiple South African Music Awards (including Male Artist of the Year, Best Dance Album, and Album of the Year), a Best Dance Album win at the Metro FM Music Awards, repeated Song of the Year honours at the DStv Mzansi Viewers’ Choice Awards, and a Best Collaboration victory at the Soundcity MVP Awards Festival in Nigeria for “Gugulethu,” plus acclaim from the African Muzik Magazine Awards (AFRIMMA).

​From his early days dominating club circuits and triumphing in the 2015 SABC 1 competition Masters of Spin to becoming a household name previously signed to Universal Music South Africa, Prince Kaybee’s journey of grit and breakthrough moments has made him a true icon. 

In this exclusive written interview, he opens up about the making of ‘Heno Babayo‘, his creative process, and what lies ahead.

What does signing with PLAYY. Records and releasing ‘Heno Babayo’ at the same time mean for you at this point in your career?

Signing with Playy is a breath of fresh air and ‘Heno Babayo’ feels like a good start.

How has your father’s collection of African classics and traditional jazz shaped the way you create Afro-house music today?

⁠Jazz has truly shaped my musical intellect, just find it musical and beautiful.

What was the initial spark or personal story that led you to create your new single ‘Heno Babayo’?

There isn’t any spark or story, it’s just making music, something I really enjoy doing regardless.

You’ve said ‘Heno Babayo’ stands for resilience through tough times and hope. How did that message influence the mood and energy of the track?

The message influences the mood of the song in everyway.

In a genre like Afro-house that connects African roots with global audiences, do you see AI as something that could help expand that reach or as a potential threat to the human emotion and authenticity in the music?

It isn’t a threat, its a tool.

Winning Masters of Spin in 2015 was a big moment for you. What do you remember most about that time, and how did it change your journey?

Winning the Dj competition was truly amazing, it taught me bravery.

Looking back at your collaborations with artists like Lady Zamar, Busiswa, Shimza and Black Motion, which one taught you something unexpected about making dance music?


Working with these artists taught me other variants of music, energy and planning.

After your knee injury ended your soccer dreams with Bloemfontein Celtics, how did that experience ultimately push you toward music and shape who you are as an artist?

The injury did not lead me to music, Music is something I just did to perfect the skill.

As Afro-house grows on the world stage, what challenges do you face in keeping its authentic African roots alive while connecting with international listeners?

⁠I face no challenges.

Now that ‘Heno Babayo’ is out, what’s one thing you hope fans feel or discover the most when they listen to it?

I wish fans to create memories with loved ones, dance if they want to but most importantly its about a feeling of resilience.

Stream ‘Heno Babayo‘:

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Instagram – Facebook – SoundCloud – TikTok – Youtube – Spotify