Kgaogelo Moagi (born 31 January 1996), professionally known as Master KG is a South African DJ, singer and record producer. Born and raised in Tzaneen, his debut studio album Skeleton Move achieved acclaim including an AFRIMA Award for Best Artist/Group in the African Electro category. He is also known as the pioneer of "Bolobedu" dance.
His second studio album Jerusalema (2020) was released, containing international successful single: "Jerusalema", featuring Nomcebo Zikode and Burna Boy, was certified diamond by FRA and topped Billboard's World Digital Song Sales chart.
Early life
Master KG grew up in Calais Village in Limpopo. He started experimenting with music beats at the age of thirteen using a computer that his late uncle had bought him.
Personal life Master KG was in a relationship with musician Makhadzi. Around early 2022 he re-united the relationship between him and Makhadzi and crowned it up with Kulakwe as they celebrated the Valentine's Day together. They split up in 2023.
Career Master KG's music career started when he got in touch with DJ Maebela and they began experimenting with music software specifically FL Studio. In 2016, after much practice, he released his first single "Situation".
2017–2020: Skeleton Move (2018) After getting signed to his former record label, Open Mic Productions, he released his chart-topping single "Skeleton Move" featuring Zanda Zakuza. On 21 September 2018, his debut album Skeleton Move was released. The album features artists including Zanda Zakuza, Makhadzi, Team Mosha and many others. He sings in his local language Khelobedu, a language spoken by Lobedu People. Master KG has performed in a number of other countries including Zambia. In December 2018, his song "Skeleton Move" was apparently voted Thobela FM's song of the year and sparked controversy as King Monada's fans felt "Malwedhe" (which is King Monada's song) deserved the award.
In December 2019, Master KG released the song "Jerusalema", featuring Nomcebo Zikode. In mid-2020, it went viral online, charting internationally and spawning a remix with Burna Boy. The video of "Jerusalema" was taken down on YouTube on the late hours of 5 August 2020, but was restored on the following day. The song earned him the MTV Europe Music Awards, NJR Music Awards in France, Feather Awards, and African Muzik Magazine Awards. The song Jerusalem also caused a stir after nomcebo zikode claimed it's her song whereas she was featured on it and it caused misunderstanding between the two when nomcebo wanted more percentage of the royalties. He signed a record deal with Elektra France. At the 2020 edition of African Muzik Magazine Awards he took-home three awards Best Male Southern Africa, Best Collaboration, Song of the Year and Artist of the Year Award.
2021–present: Makhelwane On 26 May 2021, he released a single titled "Shine Your Light" with David Guetta featuring Akon.
In September 2021, he embarked to Jerusalem Live Concert Tour to United Kingdom in support of his album, toured with Zanda Zakuza.
"Dali Nguwe" featuring Nkosazana Daughter, Basetsana, Obeey Amor was released on December 3, 2021. The song charted number 1 on Local Radio Chart Top 100.
His single "Makhelwane" with Nkosazana Daughter was released on November 17, 2023 as albums lead single.
In July 2024, Nkosazana Daughter and Master KG announced their collaboration studio album Makhelwane. The album was released on August 30, 2024.
Makhelwane was certified gold in South Africa with over 100 million streams on its first day.
Tours Headlining Jerusalem Live Concert (2021)
Discography Albums Title Details Peak chart positions Certifications AUT BEL (Fl) BEL (WA) FRA GER NL SWI Skeleton Move Released: 7 September 2018 Label: Open Mic Format: Digital download, CD — — — — — — — Jerusalema Released: 14 December 2019 Label: Warner France, Elektra France, Open Mic Format: Digital download, CD 54 35 41 27 32 10 12 SNEP: Gold "—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released.
Singles As lead artist Title Year Peak chart positions Certifications Album SA AUT BEL (FL) BEL (WA) FRA GER NL SWE SWI UK "Skeleton Move"(featuring Zanda Zakuza) 2018 — — — — — — — — — — Skeleton Move "Remember" 2019 — — — — — — — — — — "Jerusalema"(featuring Nomcebo) 1 2 1 1 2 3 2 3 1 55 BEA: 2× Platinum BPI: Gold BVMI: Platinum IFPI AUT: Gold SNEP: Diamond Jerusalema"Shine Your Light"(with David Guetta featuring Akon)2021 33 — — 29 — — — 96 — — "Dali Nguwe" (featuring Nkosazana Daughter, Basetsana, Obeey Amor) 1— — — — — — — — — "Keneilwe" (Wanitwa Mos, Master KG, Nkosazana Daughter) 2023 3 — — — — — — — — — "Dubula" (Harry Cane, Master KG, DJ Latimmy) 4 — — — — — — — — — "—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released.
Others "Jerusalema" (remix) – Master KG feat. Burna Boy & Nomcebo Zikode (2020) "Jerusalema" (remix) – Master KG feat. Micro TDH & Greeicy & Nomcebo Zikode (2020) Dali Nguwe
As featured artist Title Year Album "Tshikwama"(Makhadzi featuring Master KG) 2019 rowspan="7" "My Love"(Makhadzi ft. Master KG & Prince Benza) 2020 "Xola Moya Wam'"(Nomcebo Zikode ft. Master KG) "My Melody"(Nox featuring Master KG) "Ntyilo Ntyilo"(Rethabile Khumalo featuring Master KG) "Khaya Lam"(Zanda Zakuza featuring Master KG & Prince Benza) "This Is Love"(Bongo Beats featuring Master KG & Andiswa) 2021
Awards and nominations Year Award Category Nominated work Associated Artists Result 2018 AFRIMMA Best Artiste, Duo or Group In African Electro "Skeleton Move" Zanda Zakuza SABC Summer Song Song of the Year Limpopo Music Awards Best Dance Song Best Music Video Best Song Best Dance Song 2019 African Musik Magazine Awards Best Male Artist Southern Africa 2020NRJ Music Awards International song of the year JerusalemNomcebo Zikode 2020 African Entertainment Awards, USASong of the Year "Jerusalema"Nomcebo and Burna Boy MTV Europe Music Awards Best African Act Himself 2020African Muzik Magazine Awards Best Male Southern AfricaBest Collaboration"Jerusalema" Burna BoyArtist of the YearSong of The Year AFRIMMA Video of the Year 2021Vodafone Ghana Music AwardsAfrican Artist of the YearK H M ABest ProducerNet HonoursMost Played Alternative Song"Jerusalema"Nomcebo and Burna BoySAMA 27International Achievement AwardSAMRO Composer highest Airplay Nomcebo Zikode2021 VN Awards Male Artist of the Year 2021Global Music Awards Africa Global Artist of the YearSongwriter of the YearRecord of the Year"Jerusalema"Global Most Popular Song of the Year2024 SAMA30Motsepe Foundation Record of the Year "Dubula" RAV Music Video of the Year"Thula" "Ngiyamthanda" "Uthando Lwakho" 2024African Entertainment Awards USAMusic Producer of the YearHimself Album of the YearNkosazana Daughter
See also All Africa Music Awards
References