Black Motion
South African house duo (2009)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Black Motion is a South African afro house[1] duo formed in Soshanguve, Gauteng and founded in 2010.[2] The group is composed of Roy Thabo Mabogwane (Smol) and Kabelo Koma (Problem Child Ten83).[3]
Black Motion | |
|---|---|
| Origin | Soshanguve, Gauteng |
| Genres | |
| Years active | 2010–present |
| Labels |
|
| Members |
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| Past members | Murdah Bongz |
History
Black Motion was formed in 2010, by Murdah Bongz (born Robert Mahosana), and Thabo (born Roy Thabo Mabogwane) they are from Soshanguve. That same year, they joined Faimos Entertainment and released their first single "Banane Mavoko" featuring Jah Rich, which gained them international recognition.[4]
Their debut studio album Talking to the Drums was released in 2011.[4] Produced by Smol and Murdah Bongz resulted to house record incorporated deep house, tribal house, tech house elements. It earned their first nominations for Best Dance Album, Best Group Album, Best Newcomer at the 2011 Metro FM Music Awards.[5]
Aquarian Drums was released on December 10, 2012.
Their third studio album Fortune Teller was released in 2014.[6] The album was certified gold in South Africa.[7][8] At the 21st ceremony of South African Music Awards Fortune Teller won Best Dance Album.[9] In 2016, they signed a record deal with Sony[10] and began working on their fourth studio album.[11] Ya Badimo was released on October 28, 2016, worldwide.[12][13] The album won Best Dance Album at 23rd ceremony of South African Music Awards and was certified platinum by the Recording Industry of South Africa (RiSA).[14] In early February 2017, they partnered with Ballantine Scotch Whisky on music campaign titled The Ballantine's Beat of Africa.[15]
On September 21, 2018, they released a single "Joy Joy" featuring Brenden Praise. The song was certified platinum in South Africa.[16]
Their fifth studio album Moya Wa Taola was released on October 5, 2018.[17][18] It was nominated for Album of the Year and won Duo/Group of the Year, Best Dance Album at the 25th South African Music Awards.
Towards the end of 2019, they announced "Everything" featuring South African singer Afrotraction and trumpeter Mo-T.[19] The song was released on November 15, 2020.[20]
In early February 2020, they made collaboration on "Uwrongo" with Prince Kaybee, Shimza and Ami Faku.[21] The song debuted no #1 on Radiomonitor Charts and was certified gold in South Africa.[22] In May 2020, they announced "Don't Let Me Go" featuring Djeff, Malehloka and Miss P via Instagram. The song was released on May 15, 2020.[23]
The Healers: The Last Chapter was released on September 24, 2020.[24][25] It features Nokwazi, Ami Faku, Simmy, Sauti Sol, Sun-El Musician, TRESOR, and Kabza De Small. The album won Best Dance Album at 27th South African Music Awards.[26] To further promote the album Red Bull Rendezvous launched a concert which was held Graskop, Mpumalanga.[27][28]
Black Motion collaborated on "Siyabonga" with DJ Zinhle, Kabza De Small, Nokwazi released on November 26, 2021. The song debuted number 24 on both Local and International streaming charts.[29]
DJ Murda departed from the group to launch his solo career, and was replaced by Problem Child Ten83 (born Kabelo Koma).[30]
After a year hiatus the duo announced single "Ngoma" with Dr Moruti, Osaze featuring Mazet SA. The song was released on November 25, 2022.
In June 2023, their seventh studio album Rebirth of the Drum, was announced.[31] It was released in September 2023.[32]
"Takala Zwino" featuring Afrikan Roots, Buckz, Mörda was released on May 10, 2024.[33] It entered Local Radio Chart Top 10 at number 10.[34]
Influence
The band has cited Miriam Makeba, Fela Kuti, Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Salif Keita and Hugh Masekela as their influence.
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)
- The Cradle of Art (2024)
Singles
As lead artist
| Title | Year | Peak chart positions | Certifications | Album | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ZA | |||||||
| "Banane Mavoko" (featuring Jah Rich) [Remixes] | 2011 | — | Non-album single | ||||
| "Afrika Wo-Man" (UPZ, Black Motion featuring Theo Lawson) | 2012 | — | |||||
| "Addicted to Scars" (Kwesta, Black Motion featuring Emily Crystal) | 2015 | — | |||||
| "Nanka Lamaphoyisa" (DJ Fresca, Black Motion featuring Tuna) | — | ||||||
| "Kota" (Goodluck, Black Motion) | — | Coke Studio South Africa: Season 1 | |||||
| "Anyway" (featuring Xoli M, Alie-Keyz) | 2018 | — | |||||
| "Joy Joy" (featuring Brenden Praise) | — | ||||||
| "Everything (Full Version)" (Black Motion, Afrotraction featuring Mo-T) | 2020 | — | The Healers: The Last Chapter | ||||
| "Uwrongo" (Prince Kaybee, Shimza, Black Motion, Ami Faku) | 1 | Platinum | |||||
| "Don't Let Me Go" (Djeff, Black Motion featuring Malehloka, Miss P) | — | ||||||
| "Another Man" (featuring Soulstar) | — | ||||||
| "Xxikiwawa" (DJ Fortee, Black Motion, Lady Du featuring Pholoso & DJ Khosto) | 2021 | — | |||||
| "Eloyi" (Nobuhle, Black Motion) | — | IMVULA | |||||
| "Memeza" (Vanco, Black Motion featuring Xelimpilo) | — | ||||||
| "Takala" (Black Motion, Afrikan Roots, Dj Buckz, Mörda) | 2024 | 10 | Non-album single | ||||
| "—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory. | |||||||
Awards
Dance Music Awards South Africa
DStv Mzansi Viewers Choice Awards
| Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | "Imali" | Favourite Song of the Year | Nominated | [37] |
| Black Motion | Favourite Music Artist/Group | Nominated |
Metro FM Music Awards
| Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Themselves | Best Duo/Group | Pending | [38] |
Mzansi Kwaito and House Music Awards
| Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | "Uwrongo" - Prince Kaybee, Shimza, Black Motion, Ami Faku | Best Collaboration | Nominated | [39] |
| Most Voted Song | Nominated |
IMV Awards
| Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | "Monateng" | Best African Music Video | Won | [40] |
| Original Recording | Won | |||
| Best Costume | Won |
South African Music Awards
| Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | Fortune Teller | Best Dance Album | Won | |
| 2017 | Ya Badimo | Best Dance Album | Won | |
| 2019 | Moya Wa Taola | Album of the Year | Nominated | [41] |
| Best Dance Album | Won | |||
| Duo/Group of the Year | Won | |||
| 2021 | The Healers: The Last Chapter | Best Dance Album | Won | [42] |
| 2025 | The Cradle of Art | Best Produced Album | Nominated | [43] |
| Best Engineered Album | Nominated | |||
| Best Dance Album | Nominated | |||
| "Takala" | Best Collaboration | Won | ||
| Best Duo/Group | Won |