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Master KG
Master KG
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Kgaogelo Moagi (born 31 January 1996),[1] professionally known as Masker KG is a South African DJ, singer and record producer. Born and raised in Tzaneen, his debut studio album Skeleton Move achieved acclaim including an AFRIMA Award for Best Artist/Group in the African Electro category.[2] He is also known as the pioneer of "Bolobedu" dance.[3]

Key Information

His second studio album Jerusalema (2020) was released, containing international successful single: "Jerusalema", featuring Nomcebo Zikode and Burna Boy, was certified diamond by FRA and topped Billboard's World Digital Song Sales chart.[4][5][6][7]

Early life

[edit]

Master KG grew up in Calais Village in Limpopo. He started experimenting with music beats at the age of thirteen using a computer that his late uncle had bought him.

Personal life

[edit]

Master KG was in a relationship with musician Makhadzi.[8] Around early 2022 he re-united the relationship between him and Makhadzi and crowned it up with Kulakwe as they celebrated the Valentine's Day together.[9][10] They split up in 2023.

Career

[edit]

Master KG's music career started when he got in touch with DJ Maebela and they began experimenting with music software specifically FL Studio.[3] In 2016, after much practice, he released his first single "Situation"..

2017–2020: Skeleton Move (2018)

[edit]

After getting signed to his former record label, Open Mic Productions, he released his chart-topping single "Skeleton Move" featuring Zanda Zakuza.[11] On 21 September 2018, his debut album Skeleton Move was released. The album features artists including Zanda Zakuza, Makhadzi, Team Mosha and many others. He sings in his local language Khelobedu,[3] a language spoken by Lobedu People. Master KG has performed in a number of other countries including Zambia.[12] In December 2018, his song "Skeleton Move" was apparently voted Thobela FM's song of the year and sparked controversy as King Monada's fans felt "Malwedhe" (which is King Monada's song) deserved the award.[13]

In December 2019, Master KG released the song "Jerusalema", featuring Nomcebo Zikode. In mid-2020, it went viral online, charting internationally and spawning a remix with Burna Boy.[5] The video of "Jerusalema" was taken down on YouTube on the late hours of 5 August 2020, but was restored on the following day.[14] The song earned him the MTV Europe Music Awards, NJR Music Awards in France, Feather Awards, and African Muzik Magazine Awards. The song Jerusalem also caused a stir after nomcebo zikode claimed it's her song whereas she was featured on it and it caused misunderstanding between the two when nomcebo wanted more percentage of the royalties.[15] He signed a record deal with Elektra France.[16][17] At 2020 edition of African Muzik Magazine Awards he took-home three awards Best Male Southern Africa, Best Collaboration, Song of the Year and Artist of the Year Award.[18]

2021–present: Makhelwane

[edit]

On 26 May 2021, he released a single titled "Shine Your Light" with David Guetta featuring Akon.[19][20]

In September 2021, he embarked to Jerusalem Live Concert Tour to United Kingdom in support of his album, toured with Zanda Zakuza.[21]

"Dali Nguwe" featuring Nkosazana Daughter, Basetsana, Obeey Amor was released on December 3, 2021. The song charted number 1 on Local Radio Chart Top 100.[22]

His single "Makhelwane" with Nkosazana Daughter was released on November 17, 2023 as albums lead single.

In July 2024, Nkosazana Daughter and Master KG announced their collaboration studio album Makhelwane.[23] The album was released on August 30, 2024.[24]

Makhelwane was certified gold in South Africa with over 100 million streams on its first day.[24]

Tours

[edit]

Headlining

[edit]
  • Jerusalem Live Concert (2021)

Discography

[edit]

Albums

[edit]
Title Details Peak chart positions Certifications
AUT
[25]
BEL (Fl)
[26]
BEL (WA)
[27]
FRA
[28]
GER
[29]
NL
[30]
SWI
[31]
Skeleton Move
  • Released: 7 September 2018
  • Label: Open Mic
  • Format: Digital download, CD
Jerusalema 54 35 41 27 32 10 12
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released.

Singles

[edit]

As lead artist

[edit]
Title Year Peak chart positions Certifications Album
SA
[33]
AUT
[25]
BEL (FL)
[26]
BEL (WA)
[27]
FRA
[28]
GER
[29]
NL
[30]
SWE
[34]
SWI
[31]
UK
[35]
"Skeleton Move"
(featuring Zanda Zakuza)
2018 Skeleton Move
"Remember" 2019 Non-album single
"Jerusalema"
(featuring Nomcebo)
1 2 1 1 2 3 2 3 1 55 Jerusalema
"Shine Your Light"
(with David Guetta featuring Akon)
2021 33 29 96 Non-album single
"Dali Nguwe" (featuring Nkosazana Daughter, Basetsana, Obeey Amor) 1 Non-album single
"Keneilwe" (Wanitwa Mos, Master KG, Nkosazana Daughter) 2023 3 Non-album single
"Dubula" (Harry Cane, Master KG, DJ Latimmy) 4 Non-album single
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released.

Others

  • "Jerusalema" (remix) – Master KG feat. Burna Boy & Nomcebo Zikode (2020)
  • "Jerusalema" (remix) – Master KG feat. Micro TDH & Greeicy & Nomcebo Zikode (2020) Dali Nguwe
[edit]
Title Year Album
"Tshikwama"
(Makhadzi featuring Master KG)
2019 Non-album singles
"My Love"
(Makhadzi ft. Master KG & Prince Benza)
2020
"Xola Moya Wam'"
(Nomcebo Zikode ft. Master KG)
"My Melody"
(Nox featuring Master KG)
"Ntyilo Ntyilo"
(Rethabile Khumalo featuring Master KG)
"Khaya Lam"
(Zanda Zakuza featuring Master KG & Prince Benza)
"This Is Love"
(Bongo Beats featuring Master KG & Andiswa)
2021

Awards and nominations

[edit]
Year Award Category Nominated work Associated Artists Result Ref.
2018 AFRIMMA Best Artiste, Duo or Group In African Electro "Skeleton Move" Zanda Zakuza Won [40]
SABC Summer Song Song of the Year Won [41][42]
Limpopo Music Awards Best Dance Song Won [3][41]
Best Music Video Nominated
Best Song Nominated
Best Dance Song Nominated
2019 African Musik Magazine Awards Best Male Artist Southern Africa Won [42][43]
2020 NRJ Music Awards International song of the year Jerusalem Nomcebo Zikode Won
2020 African Entertainment Awards USA Song of the Year "Jerusalema" Nomcebo and Burna Boy Won [44]
MTV Europe Music Awards Best African Act Himself Won [45]
2020 African Muzik Magazine Awards Best Male Southern Africa Won [46]
Best Collaboration "Jerusalema" Burna Boy Won
Artist of the Year Won
Song of The Year Won
AFRIMMA Video of the Year Nominated
2021 Vodafone Ghana Music Awards African Artist of the Year Won [47][48]
K H M A Best Producer Nominated [49]
Net Honours Most Played Alternative Song "Jerusalema" Nomcebo and Burna Boy Nominated [50]
SAMA 27 International Achievement Award Won [51]
SAMRO Composer highest Airplay Nomcebo Zikode Won
2021 VN Awards Male Artist of the Year Won [52]
2021 Global Music Awards Africa Global Artist of the Year Nominated [53]
Songwriter of the Year Nominated
Record of the Year "Jerusalema" Won
Global Most Popular Song of the Year[54] Nominated
2024 SAMA30 Motsepe Foundation Record of the Year "Dubula" Pending [55]
RAV Music Video of the Year "Thula" Pending
"Ngiyamthanda" Pending
"Uthando Lwakho" Pending
2024 African Entertainment Awards USA Music Producer of the Year Himself Won [56]
Album of the Year Nkosazana Daughter Won

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia
from Grokipedia
Kgaogelo Moagi (born 31 January 1996), known professionally as Master KG, is a South African DJ, singer, and renowned for his contributions to and music genres. Born and raised in Calais village near Tzaneen in Province, he began self-teaching music production at age 13 using software on a computer inherited from his late father, drawing inspiration from local rhythms and sounds. Master KG gained local recognition with his debut studio album Skeleton Move in 2018, which earned him the All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA) for Best Electro and Dance as well as the Limpopo Music Award for Best House Single. His career breakthrough came in 2019 with the single "Jerusalema" featuring Nomcebo Zikode, a gospel-infused house track that exploded globally in 2020 amid the COVID-19 pandemic, inspiring viral dance challenges and accumulating over 320 million YouTube views by 2021. The song topped charts worldwide, including reaching number one on Apple's global charts and number one on Shazam's global chart, and secured Master KG the MTV Europe Music Award for Best African Act in 2020. Subsequent releases and collaborations have solidified his international stature, including the remix of "" with in 2020 and "Shine Your Light" with and in 2021, the latter marking his first major crossover into European scenes. He has also received multiple (SAMAs), the Africa 30 Under 30 listing in 2021 for his influence in and , and Music of the Year at the 2023 African Awards USA. By 2025, Master KG continues to release singles like "Ngishutheni" and "Mina Nawe," maintaining his role as a pivotal figure in South Africa's export of African sounds to global audiences.

Biography

Early life

Kgaogelo Moagi, known professionally as Master KG, was born on 31 January 1996 in Calais Village near , in South Africa's Province. Raised in a modest amid the rural landscapes of the region, his early years were shaped by the close-knit community dynamics typical of village life in . A pivotal moment in his formative years came through the influence of his late uncle, who gifted him a computer that ignited his passion for music production. At the age of 13, Moagi began self-taught experimentation with creating beats on this computer, honing his skills without any formal training or mentorship. This hands-on approach allowed him to explore intuitively, laying the groundwork for his future in music. Growing up in the Bolobedu community, Moagi was immersed in local cultural traditions that profoundly influenced his early musical explorations. The area's rich heritage of traditional rhythms, often blended with emerging variants, provided a vibrant sonic backdrop, fostering his affinity for rhythmic patterns and percussive elements central to his style.

Personal life

Master KG, whose real name is Kgaogelo Moagi, began a high-profile romantic relationship with fellow South African musician (real name Ndivhudzannyi Ralivhona) in 2019, with the couple publicly confirming their partnership in early 2020 amid growing rumors. The pair's relationship drew significant media attention due to their shared roots and collaborative work in the music industry, but it faced challenges, leading to a temporary breakup in 2021 after months of separation. They reconciled in early 2022, with publicly expressing affection for Master KG during this period, though the reunion was short-lived. By January 2023, Master KG announced their final split via , stating that the decision was mutual and aimed at allowing both to focus on their careers, amid speculation in media reports about pressures from their demanding professional schedules. Despite the end of their romance, has since described Master KG as her "soulmate" in interviews, highlighting an enduring personal bond outside of dating. The fame from his 2020 hit "" briefly strained their dynamic but was not the primary factor in the splits. Master KG maintains a low-profile regarding his family life, with limited public information available about his relatives beyond his upbringing in Tzaneen. No children have been publicly mentioned or confirmed in relation to him, reflecting his preference for privacy amid rising stardom. Tied to his personal roots, Master KG has engaged in philanthropic efforts supporting his home community in , including plans to donate R25,000 from his 2018 award winnings to local charities, emphasizing grassroots aid without formal professional ties.

Musical style and influences

Genre development

Master KG emerged as a pioneer in Bolobedu house, a subgenre of originating from province, which shares stylistic overlaps with through its emphasis on beats, log drums, and melodies. This genre draws from local traditions, blending electronic production with rhythmic foundations akin to regional house variants. His signature style features upbeat, danceable tracks that fuse traditional African rhythms—such as Zulu chants and gospel-inspired vocals—with electronic elements, creating an emphasis on uplifting, communal vibes that evoke joy and unity. Tracks like "" exemplify this approach, layering soulful, chant-like vocals over percussive grooves to produce infectious, feel-good energy. Master KG's genre evolution began with experimental backroom productions around 2016, rooted in self-taught digital experimentation, and progressed to global prominence through "" in 2020, which exported Bolobedu house influences worldwide via remixes incorporating pop and elements. This shift highlighted his innovative blending, expanding the genre's reach while maintaining its core organic percussion and vocal layering techniques to preserve an authentic, unpolished feel.

Key inspirations

Master KG's musical influences draw heavily from South African house pioneers and local artists. These shaped his approach to blending percussive elements with contemporary beats. Additionally, local sounds profoundly impacted his style, including the energetic Bolobedu house genre pioneered by the late producer Bojo Mujo, a fellow artist from the region who emphasized vibrant, community-driven tracks. Master KG has repeatedly highlighted Bojo Mujo as a full-time inspiration, crediting his predecessor's integration of regional house with traditional vocal styles for influencing his own sound. He has also cited artists such as , Peter Teanet, and Ken D as key figures who influenced his development of Bolobedu house rooted in Balobedu culture. His cultural roots in , , further inform his creative process, with inspirations stemming from community events and rural traditions that emphasize collective celebration. Church also plays a significant role, reflecting the spiritual and uplifting themes prevalent in his hometown's musical heritage, which promotes communal joy and resilience. Professionally, Master KG's self-taught journey as a backroom , beginning at age 13 with software like , underscores his reliance on local guidance from Limpopo who encouraged experimentation with regional sounds. This , combined with exposure to global afro-house successes, fueled his aspirations for broader reach while staying rooted in African narratives. At the core of his ethos is a drive to promote African unity through music, drawing from his identity and experiences to weave themes of faith, joy, and togetherness into his work, as exemplified briefly in the global resonance of "Jerusalema."

Career

2016–2020: Debut and Skeleton Move

Master KG entered the professional music scene in 2016 with the release of his debut single "Situation," distributed through the independent South African label Open Mic Productions. This track, produced using software like FL Studio, represented his initial foray into DJing and beat-making, gaining early traction in his home province of Limpopo where it went viral locally. Building on this momentum, Master KG released his debut studio album Skeleton Move in September 2018, a 10-track project under Open Mic Productions that highlighted his production style in and Afro house genres. The album included key collaborations, such as the title track "Skeleton Move" featuring vocalist Zanda Zakuza and the opening single "Waya Waya" with Team Mosha, which helped define his energetic, dance-oriented sound in the South African electronic music landscape. Skeleton Move quickly became a commercial hit in , with the "Skeleton Move" topping national radio charts, including number one on Nation Radio, and being voted the 2018 SABC Summer Song of the Year for its widespread appeal in clubs and on airwaves. The album's success underscored Master KG's rising influence in the local scene, blending rhythmic percussion and vocal hooks to captivate audiences. The project also garnered critical recognition, earning Master KG the All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA) for Best Artist, Duo or Group in African Electro in 2018 for "Skeleton Move" featuring Zanda Zakuza. Through consistent radio play on stations across the country and live performances at regional clubs and events, Master KG cultivated a growing fanbase in , setting the stage for his expanded career trajectory.

2021–2025: Jerusalema breakthrough and ongoing projects

In 2020, Master KG's single "," featuring , achieved viral global success amid the , sparking a widespread challenge that propelled it to international prominence. The track, originally released in late 2019, amassed over 677 million views on by late 2025. It topped the World Digital Song Sales chart, peaking at number one and charting for over 180 weeks as of late 2025. The earned diamond in for the remix version featuring , alongside multi-platinum status in countries including and . However, the success of "Jerusalema" was marred by ongoing royalty disputes with vocalist , who claimed in that she had not received payments despite the song's massive earnings. The conflict led to legal battles, including a 2023 court ruling ordering Zikode to deliver two albums to Productions, and continued tensions into 2025 involving Master KG and his former label, highlighting issues in artist compensation in the South African music industry. Building on this momentum, Master KG released the album in 2020, a compilation that included original tracks, es, and new collaborations. The album featured the popular of "" with and , alongside other variants that expanded the song's reach across global markets. Key collaborations followed, including the 2021 single "Shine Your Light" with and , which blended elements with electronic and R&B influences to target international audiences. In 2024, Master KG partnered with Nkosazana Daughter under his Wanitwa Mos imprint for the album Makhelwane, which achieved gold certification in prior to its official release, surpassing 30 million certified streams. Recent projects in 2025 highlighted Master KG's return to his , with the collaborative album alongside Goon Flavour, drawing inspiration from his hometown in Province to explore themes of heritage and community. Notable singles from this period included "Ayi Dume," featuring Nutty O, Leon Lee, Caesar, LeeMcKrazy, and Mr. Brown, released in as an uplifting track emphasizing perseverance. Post-"" success facilitated business growth for Master KG, including the expansion of his Wanitwa Mos Entertainment label after parting ways with Productions in 2021 to operate independently. The label signed artists like Nkosazana Daughter and secured broader global distribution through partnerships, such as Africori's integration into in 2025, enhancing streaming accessibility on platforms like and .

Live performances

Headlining shows

Master KG's headlining shows have showcased his ability to captivate large audiences with his sound, often featuring dynamic live sets that blend infectious rhythms and visual spectacle. In late August 2021, he embarked on a three-city tour titled " Live," performing as the lead act in , , and , accompanied by singer Zanda Zakuza to highlight tracks from his breakthrough era. His performances across have emphasized regional expansion and homegrown energy, with notable headlining appearances in drawing crowds for high-impact events. These shows typically incorporate high-energy production elements, including vibrant LED visuals, coordinated dancer troupes, and a focus on amapiano anthems like "" to create immersive, celebratory atmospheres. In 2025, Master KG continued to headline major events, including a performance in on June 27 at Fox & Hound in . He delivered a solo set at the Blantyre Summer Party in on September 6, where he energized thousands along Henderson Street in with his signature upbeat tracks. On September 25, he headlined at Botswana's Independence Celebrations during the . Later that year, he is scheduled to headline his Homecoming Concert on December 27 at Maruleng Showgrounds in Sekororo, , , featuring a lineup of supporting artists such as Shebeshxt, , and , marking a return to his roots with anticipated large-scale production.

Notable collaborations and appearances

Master KG has participated in several high-profile guest performances and joint live events, often emphasizing themes of unity and cultural exchange through his signature sound. A standout collaboration occurred on April 25, 2021, when Master KG joined forces with the Ndlovu Youth Choir for a live-streamed performance at the event on , . This charity concert, broadcast globally to promote African resilience and solidarity amid the crisis, featured renditions of "" and drew over 1 million viewers, highlighting the track's role in inspiring hope and community worldwide. The performance tied directly into the viral "" dance challenge, which exploded in popularity during the pandemic and was adopted by organizations like Global Citizen to foster global positivity and awareness through dance videos shared across continents. In 2025, Master KG made a at Mr JazziQ's Event in March. He also delivered a notable guest slot at the Metro FM Music Awards on May 3 in , sharing the bill with artists including and K.O in a showcase of South African urban music excellence.

Discography

Studio albums

Master KG's debut studio album, Skeleton Move, was released in 2018 and features 10 tracks, including collaborations with artists such as Zanda Zakuza. The album achieved significant domestic success, peaking at number one on the South African chart. His second studio , Jerusalema, arrived in 2020 with 10 tracks, featuring the titular hit single alongside other original songs. Released internationally through Warner Music, the album was a commercial success. In 2024, Master KG collaborated with Nkosazana Daughter on the studio album Makhelwane by Wanitwa Mos & Nkosazana Daughter, which contains 10 tracks. The project received gold certification from the (RiSA) as of 2024, reflecting strong local reception with over 100 million streams on its first day. Master KG's recent collaborative studio album, with Goon Flavour, was released in 2025 and includes 8 tracks exploring themes of inspired by his hometown.

Singles as lead artist

Master KG's singles as lead artist highlight his signature sound, blending infectious rhythms with collaborations that propelled his music from local radio favorites to international streaming sensations. These releases, often featuring prominent South African vocalists, have earned certifications and chart placements reflecting their commercial impact. The debut single "Situation," released in 2016, marked Master KG's entry into the music industry and achieved regional success in , gaining traction on local stations. "Waya Waya," released in 2018 and featuring Team Mosha, emerged during the Skeleton Move era and became an anthem in South African dance music circles, contributing to the album's momentum. "Jerusalema," featuring and released in 2019, exploded into a global phenomenon amid the , inspiring widespread dance challenges and amassing hundreds of millions of streams. It topped the World Digital Song Sales chart and received diamond certification in , as well as platinum certification in . "Dali Nguwe," a 2020 collaboration featuring and Prince Kaybee, solidified Master KG's domestic dominance. "Makhelwane," featuring Nkosazana Daughter and released in 2023, served as the lead single for the duo's 2024 collaborative album of the same name. "Mina Nawe," released in 2025, continued Master KG's output of tracks. In 2025, "Ayi Dume" featuring Nutty O, LeeMcKrazy, Caesar, and Leon Lee emerged as a recent release that quickly hit streaming milestones, garnering millions of plays across platforms within weeks of its debut. Master KG has contributed to numerous singles as a featured artist, often providing production, beats, or vocals in supporting roles that highlight his expertise and ability to fuse it with , pop, and electronic elements across African and international collaborations. These features underscore his collaborative versatility, from local romantic duets to global pop crossovers and recent dance anthems that have gained traction on streaming platforms and charts in .
  • "My Love" by feat. Master KG & Prince Benza (2020): This romantic duet blends rhythms with heartfelt vocals, reflecting a personal connection between the artists as former partners from province. Released as part of Makhadzi's Kokovha album, it showcases Master KG's production in a more intimate, house-infused context.
  • "Shine Your Light" by & Master KG feat. (2021): A high-energy pop-EDM track marking Master KG's international crossover, where he co-produces and features alongside French DJ and singer . The song emphasizes uplifting themes with infectious hooks, bridging influences to mainstream .
  • "Ngishutheni" by Goon Flavour feat. Master KG & Eemoh (2025): This electronic dance track fuses with upbeat elements, serving as a summer anthem that topped TikTok's South Africa top 10 songs of summer 2025. Master KG's contribution includes production and ad-libs, enhancing its club-ready vibe.
  • "Khwela" by Lakista Chance, Vukani & Panta feat. Master KG (2025): An fusion drawing from South Africa's traditional style, featuring lively percussion and vocals; it charted on South African playlists and gained radio play across . Master KG provides key production, adding his signature infectious grooves.

Awards and nominations

Major wins

Master KG's breakthrough with his debut album Skeleton Move earned him early recognition at the All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMMA) in 2018, where he won the award for Best Electro and Dance for the title track "Skeleton Move." This victory highlighted his innovative contributions to African electronic music and marked a pivotal moment in establishing his presence on the continental stage. The global phenomenon of "" featuring propelled Master KG to international acclaim, culminating in a win for Best African Act at the (EMA). The track's infectious rhythm and uplifting message resonated worldwide, solidifying his role as a cultural for South African music. In 2021, Master KG received the International Achievement Recognition Award at the 27th (SAMA), acknowledging the unprecedented success of "," which also achieved diamond certification in in 2020 for surpassing 35 million streams. This honor, alongside the Global Record of the Year award at the inaugural Global Music Awards Africa for the same song, underscored the track's transformative impact on global music charts and streaming platforms. Master KG won Music Producer of the Year at the 2023 African Entertainment Awards USA, recognizing his contributions to and . These major wins collectively affirm his evolution from a local talent to a globally celebrated artist.

Key nominations

Master KG has received several notable award nominations that highlight his influence in the global music scene, particularly following the success of "," though not all resulted in wins. These recognitions underscore his role in elevating South African internationally. In 2021, Master KG was nominated for Record of the Year at the 27th (SAMA 27) for "" featuring , a category that celebrated standout singles from the previous year; the award ultimately went to Matthew Mole's "Keep It Together." That same year, he earned a in the Favorite Global Music Star category at the 2021, representing alongside artists like (Asia) and (North America); took home the win. In 2025, Master KG received a for Best Producer at the inaugural Urban Music Awards South Africa, competing with producers such as , , and ; the award was won by .

References

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