Prince Kaybee is continuing to carve out the next chapter of his sound with the release of “Veliry”, a warm and soulful Afro House collaboration with South African singer-songwriter Ben September.
Released on 21 August 2026 via PLAYY. Records, “Veliry” sees the award-winning producer lean further into the contemporary Afro House space while maintaining the melodic songwriting that has long been central to his music.
The release follows Kaybee’s previous single “Heno Babayo” and adds further momentum to a period that has seen the producer reconnect his established South African house identity with the increasingly global Afro House movement.
A warmer side of Prince Kaybee
Rather than going straight for a heavy club record, “Veliry” opens with a smooth guitar progression before gradually introducing rolling Afro House percussion.
Ben September’s vocals then become an important part of the production, bringing elements of R&B, Afro-pop and soul into Kaybee’s electronic foundation.
The result sits somewhere between an Afro House dancefloor record and a soulful vocal song.
Spacious instrumentation, percussion and subtle melodic elements allow the production to develop gradually rather than overwhelm the vocal, showcasing a warmer and more organic side of Kaybee’s production.
‘Veliry’ comes from a personal place
There is also a story behind the unusual title.
Kaybee revealed that the song was inspired by a woman named Veliry, whom he associates with the feeling of a beautiful day filled with harmonious love songs.
That romantic inspiration can be heard throughout the record.
Instead of relying exclusively on the drums and bassline to drive the song, “Veliry” gives its melodies and vocals room to carry some of the emotional weight.
September’s contribution fits naturally into that approach.
The Sasolburg-born singer-songwriter has built his sound around alternative R&B, Afro-pop and soul, frequently exploring themes including relationships, vulnerability and self-discovery. His previous collaborations include work with Kaybee as well as Tyler ICU, KLY, FLVME and The Big Hash.
Prince Kaybee and Ben September build their chemistry
“Veliry” is also not the first time Kaybee and September have crossed paths creatively.
The pair previously connected on records including “Breakfast In Soweto” and “3 In The Morning”, while Kaybee also contributed production to September’s 7 Girls EP.
Their growing musical relationship has now resulted in another collaboration that places September’s soulful writing against Kaybee’s dance production.
This time, however, Afro House provides the foundation.
Following the international response to ‘Heno Babayo’
The release comes after “Heno Babayo” generated international attention for Kaybee.
The track received support from international dance-music publications and was played on KISS XTRA’s The Afro Electronic Show in the UK.
Back home, it also secured radio support from Metro FM, YFM and Good Hope FM, giving Kaybee momentum both inside and outside South Africa.
“Veliry” appears designed to continue that trajectory.
Afro House is enjoying an increasingly international audience, and Kaybee already has the catalogue, production identity and history within South African house music to occupy an interesting position within the genre’s current expansion.
Kaybee finds his place in a changing dance landscape
Prince Kaybee’s latest musical direction is particularly interesting considering how dramatically South African dance music has changed over the past decade.
Kaybee emerged during an era when South African house music dominated radio, clubs and festival stages, eventually producing massive records including “Club Controller”, “Banomoya”, “Gugulethu” and “Uwrongo”.
“Uwrongo” would go on to earn international recognition when TIME included it among its 10 best songs of 2020.
Since then, Amapiano has transformed South Africa’s mainstream dance landscape while Afro House and Afro Tech have simultaneously developed increasingly powerful international audiences.
Rather than attempting to compete directly with Amapiano, Kaybee’s recent output appears to be positioning him firmly within the expanding Afro House ecosystem.
That makes “Veliry” more than simply another single.
Prince Kaybee’s next chapter takes shape
Kaybee has never been a stranger to Afro House or African electronic music, but his latest releases suggest a renewed focus on that side of his musical identity.
Importantly, he isn’t abandoning the melodic songwriting that made many of his biggest records accessible beyond dance floors.
“Veliry” still has a song at its centre.
The guitars, Ben September’s vocals and romantic inspiration give the record an emotional quality, while Kaybee’s percussion and groove ensure that it remains connected to the dance floor.
It is a combination that could prove valuable as Afro House continues expanding beyond its traditional club audience.
For Prince Kaybee, “Veliry” represents another step in an evolving journey, one that sees one of South Africa’s established house producers finding new possibilities within the global Afro House movement.
