Black Motion - Bio, Career Achievements, Band Members and Songs.

Black Motion is a South African Afro house duo that originated in Soshanguve, Gauteng, in 2010. The group consists of Roy Thabo Mabogwane, known as Smol, and Kabelo Koma, also known as Problem Child Ten83. They have drawn inspiration from iconic artists such as Miriam Makeba, Fela Kuti, Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Salif Keita, and Hugh Masekela.

Black Motion’s Beginning and Achievements

Black Motion was formed in 2010 by Murdah Bongz (Robert Mahosana) and Thabo (Roy Thabo Mabogwane), both from Soshanguve. That same year, they joined Faimos Entertainment and released their first single, "Banane Mavoko," featuring Jah Rich, which gained them international recognition.

In 2011, they released their debut studio album, Talking to the Drums, produced by Smol and Murdah Bongz. The album featured a mix of deep house, tribal house, and tech house elements. It earned the duo nominations for Best Dance Album, Best Group Album, and Best Newcomer at the 2011 Metro FM Music Awards.

Their second album, Aquarian Drums, came out on December 10, 2012. In 2014, they released their third studio album, Fortune Teller, which was certified gold in South Africa. The album won Best Dance Album at the 21st South African Music Awards.

In 2016, Black Motion signed a record deal with Sony and began working on their fourth studio album, Ya Badimo, which was released worldwide on October 28, 2016. The album won Best Dance Album at the 23rd South African Music Awards and was certified platinum by the Recording Industry of South Africa (RiSA). In February 2017, they partnered with Ballantine's Scotch Whisky on a music campaign titled The Ballantine's Beat of Africa.

On September 21, 2018, Black Motion released the single "Joy Joy," featuring Brenden Praise, which was certified platinum in South Africa. Their fifth studio album, Moya Wa Taola, was released on October 5, 2018. The album was nominated for Album of the Year and won Duo/Group of the Year and Best Dance Album at the 25th South African Music Awards.

In late 2019, Black Motion announced their track "Everything," featuring South African singer Afrotraction and trumpeter Mo-T, which was released on November 15, 2020. In early 2020, they collaborated with Prince Kaybee, Shimza, and Ami Faku on the song "Uwrongo," which debuted at number one on the Radiomonitor Charts and was certified gold in South Africa.

On May 15, 2020, Black Motion released "Don't Let Me Go," featuring Djeff, Malehloka, and Miss P. Later that year, on September 24, 2020, they dropped The Healers: The Last Chapter, an album featuring artists like Nokwazi, Ami Faku, Simmy, Sauti Sol, Sun-El Musician, TRESOR, and Kabza De Small. The album won Best Dance Album at the 27th South African Music Awards. To promote the album, they partnered with Red Bull Rendezvous for a concert in Graskop, Mpumalanga.

In 2021, they collaborated on the song "Siyabonga" with DJ Zinhle, Kabza De Small, and Nokwazi, which was released on November 26, 2021. The song charted at number 24 on both local and international streaming charts.

After DJ Murda left the group to pursue a solo career, Problem Child Ten83 (Kabelo Koma) joined as his replacement. Following a brief hiatus, Black Motion released the single "Ngoma" with Dr. Moruti, Osaze, and Mazet SA on November 25, 2022.

In June 2023, the duo announced their seventh studio album, Rebirth of the Drum, which was released in September 2023. On May 10, 2024, they released the track "Takala Zwino," featuring Afrikan Roots, Buckz, and Mörda, which entered the Local Radio Chart Top 10 at number 10.

Band Members

Present members

• Thabo Roy Mabogwane
• Kabelo Koma

Past members

• Bongane Robert Mahosana

Discography

Studio albums

• Talking To The Drums (2011)
• Aquarian Drums (2012)
• Fortune Teller (2014)
• Ya Badimo (2016)
• Moya Wa Taola (2018)
• The Healers: The Last Chapter (2020)
• Rebirth of the Drum (2023)

Singles

2011 - "Banane Mavoko" (featuring Jah Rich) [Remixes]

2012 - "Afrika Wo-Man" (UPZ, Black Motion featuring Theo Lawson)

2015 - "Nanka Lamaphoyisa" (DJ Fresca, Black Motion featuring Tuna)

2015 - "Addicted to Scars" (Kwesta, Black Motion featuring Emily Crystal)

2015 - "Kota" (Goodluck, Black Motion)

2018 - “Anyway" (featuring Xoli M, Alie-Keyz)

2018 - "Joy Joy" (featuring Brenden Praise)

2020 - "Everything (Full Version)" (Black Motion, Afrotraction featuring Mo-T)

2020 - "Uwrongo" (Prince Kaybee, Shimza, Black Motion, Ami Faku)

2020 - "Don't Let Me Go" (Djeff, Black Motion featuring Malehloka, Miss P)

2020 - "Another Man" (featuring Soulstar)

2021 - "Xxikiwawa" (DJ Fortee, Black Motion, Lady Du featuring Pholoso & DJ Khosto)

2021 - "Eloyi" (Nobuhle, Black Motion)

2021 - "Memeza" (Vanco, Black Motion featuring Xelimpilo)

2024 - "Takala" (Black Motion, Afrikan Roots, Dj Buckz, Mörda)