Every now and then, we come across an artist whose journey feels like a slow-burn masterpiece — consistent, soulful, and quietly powerful. One of those artists is none other than Deeper Phil, the amapiano producer and DJ who has been steadily shaping the sound of “private school piano” under Kabza De Small’s Piano Hub banner.
When we caught up with him backstage at a major Scorpion Kings event, the man was humble, a little overwhelmed, but fully present in the moment.
“Yoh, I just got here right now and I’m still trying to find my feet,” he laughed, glancing around the buzzing venue. “But yeah, I can’t wait for the show. This is history, man. What Kabza and Maphorisa are doing? It’s opening doors for us guys under them. We’re learning how they’ve been maneuvering throughout the years. It’s inspiring.”
The Man Behind The Name
So, who is Deeper Phil? If you’ve been living under a rock, here’s the lowdown. Born Bonga Sibeko in Bethal, Mpumalanga, Deeper Phil has been tinkering with beats and instruments since 2007. By 2011, he dropped his first project Altercation Of House, announcing his arrival as a producer with a passion for soulful house and later amapiano.
“Deeper Phil is a piano artist — #DeepHousePiano,” he says with a grin. “I make my piano sound under Piano Hub. It’s been overwhelming, but it’s growth. Being around Kabza, watching him work, it teaches you discipline and consistency.”
The Music: Soulful, Emotive, Distinctly “Deeper”
Deeper Phil’s sound is unique — lush chords, layered keys, emotive basslines — the kind of music that makes you want to listen, not just dance. His recent album, Love & Hate (released under Piano Hub), is a masterclass in sonic storytelling, featuring collabs with Kabza De Small, Young Stunna, Shino Kikai and more.
But he’s not just about albums. This year, he’s been dropping fire singles.
“This year I was mostly focusing on features,” he tells us. “Pushing features, working with other artists. Maybe later this year, I could drop something as well. You’ll just have to wait and see.”
The Road Ahead
What’s next for Deeper Phil? Expect more collaborations, more sonic experiments, and maybe — if we’re lucky — another full project before the year is over.
“Let’s enjoy, fela,” he says with a smile as he heads towards the stage. “Scorpion Kings. Things are right. And we out here.”
From Bethal to the big stage, Deeper Phil is proving that sometimes the most impactful moves are made in silence — until the music speaks for itself.
