Spotify champions Scorpion Kings with an exclusive film celebrating Amapiano
Johannesburg, 29 August 2025 – Spotify is spotlighting one of South Africa’s most powerful duos with the release of an exclusive film titled The Untold Scorpion Kings Story featuring Kabza De Small and DJ Maphorisa, known as the Scorpion Kings. The film honours the catalogue that helped carry Amapiano from an underground movement to the global stage.
With albums “Scorpion Kings” and “The Return of the Scorpion Kings”, Kabza and Maphorisa didn’t just drop records; they set the blueprint for Amapiano’s rise to mainstream success. Their collaboration bridged local dancefloors and global playlists, putting the sound at the centre of South Africa’s musical identity.
Ahead of their highly anticipated new release, Kings Will Rise, Spotify is celebrating the Scorpion Kings’ catalogue with a documentary-style film. The film captures the artists in conversation about their journey, their impact, and the community that built Amapiano with them. It reflects on legacy and momentum: how two artists shifted culture, and how they continue to write the next chapter.
“Spotify has always been about connecting the world to the power of music and moments like this matter.
Amapiano is shaping global dance culture, and the Scorpion Kings have been central to that story. This film is our way of documenting and amplifying that legacy,” says Jodie Tabisher, Artist, Label and Partnership Manager at Spotify Sub-Saharan Africa.
The film forms part of Spotify’s ongoing commitment to supporting African artists and recognising pivotal cultural milestones. Beyond playlists and streams, Spotify aims to create platforms that not only showcase music but contextualise it, spotlighting the stories behind the sound.
By anchoring this cultural moment in film, Spotify is ensuring that the Scorpion Kings’ influence isn’t just felt in places of entertainment but also recorded as part of the ongoing history of South African music. It’s a cultural record for today and tomorrow.
Behind the Scenes: The Making of The Untold Scorpion Kings Story (Context & Speculation)
While Spotify hasn’t released official production credits yet, industry insiders suggest that a project of this scale typically involves:
- Director – A South African filmmaker with experience in music documentaries, often someone who has worked on local music movements or artist profiles.
- Producers – Spotify’s in-house Sub-Saharan Africa content team, likely in partnership with a local production company based in Johannesburg or Cape Town.
- Cinematography – High-quality visual storytelling capturing studio sessions, live performances, and interviews with cultural figures connected to Amapiano’s rise.
- Featured Voices (Cast beyond Kabza & Maphorisa) –
- Fellow Amapiano pioneers (e.g., DJ Stokie, Sha Sha, Vigro Deep)
- Cultural commentators and music journalists
- Fans and venue owners who witnessed Amapiano’s explosion firsthand
- Spotify executives or curators who pushed the genre globally
This kind of content usually functions not only as a documentary, but also as a cultural archive — capturing how a grassroots genre became a global sound. It’s part of Spotify’s ongoing strategy to position African music within a global context, similar to what they’ve done with Burna Boy (Afrobeats) and Wizkid.
Why This Matters
- Cultural Impact – Captures Amapiano’s journey from township parties to international festivals.
- Music Business Shift – Shows how streaming platforms like Spotify influence global genre adoption.
- Legacy – Provides a visual record for future generations about how Kabza De Small and DJ Maphorisa didn’t just make hits — they built a movement.
5 Things We Learned from The Untold Scorpion Kings Story
Spotify’s new documentary, The Untold Scorpion Kings Story, celebrates the powerhouse duo Kabza De Small and DJ Maphorisa — better known as the Scorpion Kings. The film isn’t just about music; it’s a cultural record of how Amapiano went from township clubs to the world stage. Here are the five biggest takeaways:
1. Amapiano’s Global Breakthrough Wasn’t an Accident
The documentary highlights how Kabza and Maphorisa didn’t simply drop tracks; they designed a sound that could travel. By mixing soulful piano melodies with deep house and kwaito roots, they created a hybrid that resonated both locally and internationally — and Spotify’s playlists helped amplify it.
2. Collaboration Built a Movement, Not Just a Genre
Amapiano’s growth wasn’t about one artist or one hit. The Scorpion Kings credit an entire community of DJs, vocalists, and producers who pushed the sound forward. The documentary shows that while Kabza and Maphorisa became the faces, Amapiano was — and still is — a collective movement.
3. Streaming Changed the Game for South African Artists
Spotify plays a major role in the story, showing how global streaming visibility opened new markets. From local dance floors to New York rooftop parties and London radio sets, Amapiano didn’t just cross borders — it became a global dance culture phenomenon.
4. Legacy Matters More Than Hype
The Scorpion Kings talk openly about impact over trends. Instead of chasing chart positions, they focused on building a catalogue — albums like Scorpion Kings and The Return of the Scorpion Kings that now act as cultural milestones, teaching the next generation of producers what’s possible.
5. The Next Chapter Is Already Loading
The film ends by teasing their upcoming project, Kings Will Rise. It’s a reminder that the duo isn’t done yet — they’re evolving. With a global audience now tuned in, the next wave of Amapiano could be even bigger, more experimental, and more internationally collaborative.
ENDS
About Spotify
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