“I Started as a DJ Before Becoming a Producer”
Amapiano producer Stady K has opened up about his musical journey, revealing that his career began long before his name started appearing on some of the genre’s biggest hits.
Speaking during a recent interview on the set of a music video shoot, Stady K, whose real name is Tebogo Lucky Mabala, explained that he first entered the music industry as a DJ in 2014, focusing primarily on Afro House and Afro Tech.
“I started in 2014 as a DJ first, playing Afro House and Afro Tech. Then in 2019, I joined production,” he said.
The producer explained that his transition into music production eventually led him to Amapiano in 2020, a move that would ultimately change the trajectory of his career.
Why He Left Afro Tech for Amapiano
While many artists have recently spoken about returning to their original musical roots, Stady K says his move into Amapiano was driven by a deep connection to the sound and culture behind the genre.
“What made me shift was the sound. I like that sound a lot. I felt like this is where I belong,” he explained.
According to the producer, Amapiano’s appeal goes beyond commercial success.
“It’s too deep and it’s cultural. It’s our culture. It’s born here in South Africa.”
His comments highlight the growing sentiment among many Amapiano artists who view the genre not only as a global movement but also as a powerful expression of South African identity.
The Song That Changed Everything
Like many artists, Stady K can point to one specific record that transformed his career.
The producer revealed that his breakthrough came in 2021 through his collaboration with Scotts Maphuma on the song Glory To God.
“That’s the song that changed my life,” he said.
“That’s when I started to get more recognition. That’s when people got to know me better and ask, ‘Who’s Stady K? What does he do?'”
The success of the track helped establish him as one of Amapiano’s emerging hitmakers and laid the foundation for a string of collaborations that would follow.
Inside the Making of “Minister of Arrogance”
Stady K is currently preparing for the release of his upcoming single Minister of Arrogance, featuring Scotts Maphuma and Ftears.
The producer was filming visuals for the record during the interview and revealed that the highly anticipated track is scheduled for release on the 29th.
According to him, he immediately recognised the song’s potential the first time he heard it.
“I was in Limpopo when I heard it. He played it on a live feed after recording, and I told him, ‘Man, I know that beat.'”
The producer says his instincts kicked in immediately.
“When I heard it, I knew it was a hit song.”
The track has already generated significant buzz on social media, with fans eagerly awaiting its official release.
Staying Connected to Musical Roots
Addressing the growing trend of artists revisiting Afro House and Afro Tech, Stady K believes there is nothing unusual about musicians returning to the sounds that shaped them.
“Your roots are your roots,” he said.
He explained that many artists who are now known for Amapiano originally built their musical foundations in genres such as Afro House and Afro Tech before transitioning into the piano movement.
For Stady K, understanding those roots is an important part of understanding South African dance music’s evolution.
A Producer Continuing to Build His Legacy
From spinning Afro House records in 2014 to becoming one of Amapiano’s most recognisable production names, Stady K’s journey reflects the rapid growth of South Africa’s biggest musical export.
With Minister of Arrogance set to drop soon and a catalogue that continues to grow, the producer appears determined to build on the momentum that started with Glory To God and cement his place among Amapiano’s leading creative forces.
