Prince Kaybee
{{Short description|South African DJ and record producer}}
{{Infobox musical artist
| background = person
| name = Prince Kaybee
| birth_name = Kabelo Motsamai
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1986|06|15}}
| birth_place = Senekal, Free State, South Africa
| origin =
| genre = {{hlist|Afro-house|afro-tech}}
| occupation = {{hlist|DJ | record producer}}
| instrument = Piano
| label = Universal
}}
Kabelo Motsamai (born 15 June 1989), professionally known Prince Kaybee is a South African DJ and record producer.
Career
Shortly after he dropped out at school in Grade 11, Kaybee relocated to Bloemfontein and got a club DJ gig. Kaybee rose to prominence after contested on second season of the SABC1 reality competition 1's and 2's, and won, in 2015.{{cite web|title=1's and 2's|url=https://www.tvsa.co.za/shows/viewshowseasons.aspx?showId=3080&season=2|access-date=2024-07-26|work=TVSA}}{{cite web|url=https://www.mediaupdate.co.za/media/83032/sabc1s-1s-and-2s-crowns-prince-kaybee-as-its-second-master-of-spin|title=SABC1’s 1’s and 2’s crowns Prince Kaybee as its second Master of Spin|date=2015-10-22|work=Media Update|access-date=2024-07-26}} Following year, he received his first nomination for Listener's Choice at the 6th ceremony of MTV Africa Music Awards.{{cite web|title=Here’s the Full List of Nominees at the 2016 MTV Africa Music Awards in Johannesburg|url=https://www.okayafrica.com/amp/mtv-africa-music-awards-2016-nominees-mtvmama2016-2485435643|access-date=2024-07-26|work=OkayAfrica|first=Alyssa|last=Klein|date=22 October 2016}}
His single "Charlotte" featuring Lady Zamar was released on 4 November 2016.
"Club Controller" with LaSoul Mates featuring TNS, Zanda Zakuza was released on 19 January 2018. It peaked at number 1 on Channel O Top 30 Charts.{{Cite web|url=https://www.dstv.com/channelo/en-za/news/prince-kaybee-reigns|title=Prince Kaybee's Club Controller rules the Channel O Top 30 this week!|date=2018-03-07|work=DStv|access-date=2024-07-26}} In addition, the song was certified 6× platinum in South Africa with over 120 000 units sold.{{cite web|title=PRINCE KAYBEE’S RECEIVES FOUR PLATINUM PLAQUES|date=
11 March 2021|work=Daily SUN|first=Andiswa|last=
Ngenyane|url=https://www.snl24.com/dailysun/celebs/prince-kaybees-receives-four-platinum-plaques-20210311 |access-date=2024-07-26}}
In September 2018, Kaybee bagged a role on a television show 1's and 2's, as resident judge for season 18.{{Cite web|url=https://www.yomzansi.com/2018/09/27/1s-and-2s-returns-for-season-5/|title='1's and 2's' returns for Season 5 with DJ Zinhle, Ayanda MVP & Prince Kaybee|date=September 27, 2018|website=YOMZANSI. Documenting THE CULTURE|access-date=July 29, 2023|archive-date=July 29, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230729045615/https://www.yomzansi.com/2018/09/27/1s-and-2s-returns-for-season-5/|url-status=live}}
His single "Banomoya" featuring Busiswa, TNS was released on 31 August 2018. The song charted number 1 on Channel O Top 30 Charts.{{cite web|work=DStv|access-date=2024-07-26|url=https://www.dstv.com/channelo/en-za/movie/the-drive-top-5/banomoya-reigns-atop-the-channel-o-top-30/news|title=Banomoya reigns atop the Channel O Top 30|date=2018-12-10}} In addition the "Banomoya" won song of the year on Ukhozi FM and certified 4× platinum in South Africa.{{cite web|title=Prince Kaybee and Busiswa’s Banomoya takes Song of the Year amid tribal storm|url=https://www.zimlive.com/prince-kaybee-and-busiswas-banomoya-takes-song-of-the-year-amid-tribal-storm/|first=Sipho|last=Mabuza|date=2019-01-04|work=Zim LIVE|access-date=2024-07-26}}{{cite web|url=https://www.timeslive.co.za/tshisa-live/tshisa-live/2021-03-12-halala-prince-kaybee-goes-multi-platinum-on-four-singles/|title=Halala! Prince Kaybee goes multi-platinum on four singles!|work=TshisaLIVE|date=2021-03-12|first=Deepika|last=Naidoo|access-date=2024-07-26}}
His second studio album Re Mmino was released on 8 March 2019. The album was certified Platinum in South Africa.{{Cite web|url=https://www.timeslive.co.za/tshisa-live/tshisa-live/2019-05-03-prince-kaybee-keeps-winning-celebrates-latest-music-milestone/|title=Prince Kaybee keeps winning, celebrates latest music milestone|website=TimesLIVE|access-date=2023-07-29|archive-date=2023-07-29|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230729050441/https://www.timeslive.co.za/tshisa-live/tshisa-live/2019-05-03-prince-kaybee-keeps-winning-celebrates-latest-music-milestone/|url-status=live}}
Kaybee received the most nominations at the 26th ceremony of South African Music Awards for Music Video of the Year and Record of Year, both songs nominated for two categories "Gugulethu" and "Fetch Your Life".{{cite web|title=Kaybee, Zinhle lead race for Sama gongs|url=https://www.sowetanlive.co.za/amp/entertainment/2020-07-10-kaybee-zinhle-lead-race-for-sama-gongs/|access-date=2024-07-26|work=Sowetan LIVE |first=Emmanuel|last=Tjiya|date=2020-07-10}} In addition, Kaybee was nominated for Best Music Video and won Best House Record at the 2019 Dance Music Awards South Africa.{{cite web|title=Dance Music Awards South Africa 2019: All the winners|date=2019-10-04|url=https://www.musicinafrica.net/magazine/dance-music-awards-south-africa-2019-all-winners |work=Music in Africa|access-date=2024-07-26}}
His single "Uwrongo" with guest appearances from Shimza, Black Motion and Ami Faku was released on 31 January 2020.{{Cite web|url=https://www.timeslive.co.za/tshisa-live/tshisa-live/2020-01-31-prince-kaybee-has-the-streets-sweating-with-new-shimza-collab-uwrongo/|title=Prince Kaybee has the streets sweating with new Shimza collab, 'Uwrongo'|website=TimesLIVE|access-date=2023-07-29|archive-date=2023-07-29|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230729205655/https://www.timeslive.co.za/tshisa-live/tshisa-live/2020-01-31-prince-kaybee-has-the-streets-sweating-with-new-shimza-collab-uwrongo/|url-status=live}} The song debuted number 1 on the Radiomonitor Top 100 AirPlay Chart for 26 consecutive weeks. {{Cite web|url=https://idmmag.com/news/prince-kaybee-uwrongo/|title=Prince Kaybee Uwrongo named in Time Magazine’s 10 Best Songs 2020|first=I. D. M.|last=Reports|date=November 26, 2020|access-date=July 29, 2023|archive-date=July 29, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230729205656/https://idmmag.com/news/prince-kaybee-uwrongo/|url-status=live}}
In February 2021, Kaybee was featured on Rhythms of Zamunda: Music Inspired By Coming 2 America by Def Jam Africa released on March 15, 2021.{{cite web|title=Prince Kaybee, Nasty C & Tellaman feature on ‘Coming 2 America’ soundtrack|work=Independent Online|url=https://www.iol.co.za/entertainment/music/local/prince-kaybee-nasty-c-and-tellaman-feature-on-coming-2-america-soundtrack-98007608-aa0d-4330-98e1-5141ad891fd6|first=Liam Karabo|last=Joyce|date=2021-02-15|access-date=2024-07-26}}
Project Hope (Season 1) was released on 2 October 2020.{{cite web|date=2020-11-01|url=https://www.okayafrica.com/amp/prince-kaybee-new-compilation-album-project-hope-unheard-women-voices-2648563103|first=Sabelo|last=Makhabela|title=Prince Kaybee Gives New Women Voices a Chance to Shine in New Compilation Album ‘Project Hope’|work=OkayAfrica|access-date=2024-07-26}} It incorporated the elements of rnb, afro-house and, amapiano.
In early February 2021, Kaybee announced his fourth studio album via Instagram.{{Cite web|url=https://www.iol.co.za/the-star/news/prince-kaybee-ready-to-drop-the-4th-republic-after-two-and-a-half-years-in-the-making-da207b01-a38a-4267-bcd5-c01643fb0892|title=Prince Kaybee ready to drop The 4th Republic after two-and-a half years in the making|access-date=2023-07-29|archive-date=2023-07-29|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230729205655/https://www.iol.co.za/the-star/news/prince-kaybee-ready-to-drop-the-4th-republic-after-two-and-a-half-years-in-the-making-da207b01-a38a-4267-bcd5-c01643fb0892|url-status=live}}
The 4th Republic, was released on March 5, 2021.{{cite web|url=https://www.iol.co.za/the-star/news/prince-kaybee-ready-to-drop-the-4th-republic-after-two-and-a-half-years-in-the-making-da207b01-a38a-4267-bcd5-c01643fb0892|date=2021-02-25|title=Prince Kaybee ready to drop The 4th Republic after two-and-a half years in the making|work=Independent Online|access-date=2024-07-26}}
Kaybee fifth studio album Gemini, was released on 17 June 2022.{{cite web|title=Prince Kaybee Drops His 7th Studio Album Titled After His Zodiac Star Sign|date=2022-06-17|url=https://frontpage.co.za/prince-kaybee-drops-his-7th-studio-album-titled-after-his-zodiac-star-sign/|work=Front Page|access-date=2024-07-26}} {{cite news|location=South Africa |language=en-ZA |publisher=News24|url-access=subscription |url=https://www.news24.com/life/arts-and-entertainment/celebrities/news/prince-kaybee-confirms-release-of-new-album-20220603|title=Prince Kaybee confirms release of new album|date=3 June 2022|first=Keitumetse|last=Maako }} It was supported by four singles "Zimbali", "Sbindi Uyabulala", "Tayari", "Breakfast in Soweto".
Three singles "Amaphiko Ezono", "Inkubulo" featuring Azana, and "Oh boy" featuring Start Healers were released on June 4, 2023, as albums lead singles.
Controversies
Botlhale Phora, a former SA Idols star, accused Prince Kaybee of stealing his song in 2024, claiming to have sent the song to him in 2021.It was not for the first time, as he was accused of the same thing in 2020 by another artist. {{Cite web |title=WATCH {{!}} Prince Kaybee responds to claims he 'stole' Idols SA contestant's song |url=https://www.timeslive.co.za/tshisa-live/tshisa-live/2024-05-20-watch--prince-kaybee-responds-to-claims-he-stole-idols-sa-contestants-song/ |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20241002152522/https://www.timeslive.co.za/tshisa-live/tshisa-live/2024-05-20-watch--prince-kaybee-responds-to-claims-he-stole-idols-sa-contestants-song/ |archive-date=2024-10-02 |access-date=2025-01-13 |website=www.timeslive.co.za |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Nkonki |first=Anita |title=The intention was not to insult anyone, says Prince Kaybee after he is accused of stealing a song |url=https://www.iol.co.za/the-star/news/the-intention-was-not-to-insult-anyone-says-prince-kaybee-after-he-is-accused-of-stealing-a-song-d4083491-a52b-4dbd-8266-b8c2eb6673c0 |access-date=2025-01-13 |website=www.iol.co.za |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=MSN |url=https://www.msn.com/en-za/news/other/prince-kaybee-finds-himself-in-another-copyright-controversy-this-time-with-bhizer/ar-BB1mUaI4 |access-date=2025-01-13 |website=www.msn.com}}
Discography
= Studio albums =
- I Am Music (2017)
- Re Mmino (2019)
- Project Hope (Season 1) (2020)
- The 4th Republic (2021)
- Gemini (2022)
- Music Theory (2023)
Achievements
= South African Music Awards =
{{Awards table}}
! {{abbrv|Ref.|References}}
|-
|2020
|Re Mmino
|Male Artist of the Year
|{{won}}
{{end}}