Influence Profile
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Trending in Lawd Porry’s World
Latest Album
Madumane (EP)
Released Apr 17, 2020
Trending Globally
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Story
Quick Facts
Born
1987
1987
From
South Africa
South Africa
Journey
Lawd Porry (the alter ego of DJ Maphorisa), born Themba Sonnyboy Sekowe in Soshanguve, Pretoria, South Africa, is a highly influential DJ, record producer, singer, and songwriter whose work has significantly shaped contemporary African music. Raised in a musically inclined environment influenced by gospel and local South African genres, he developed an early passion for sound production and performance, which later evolved into a globally recognized career.
Maphorisa first rose to prominence in the early 2010s as a member of the Afro-house group Uhuru and through his association with Kalawa Jazmee Records. During this period, he contributed to several major hits that helped define South African pop and house music, establishing him as a sought-after producer. His early production credits include widely successful tracks such as “Khona” by Mafikizolo and “Ngud’” by Kwesta, which solidified his reputation as a hitmaker in the African music industry.
His international breakthrough came when he co-produced Drake’s global hit “One Dance,” a collaboration that expanded his reach beyond Africa and introduced his sound to a global audience. Since then, he has worked with numerous international and African artists, including Wizkid, Davido, Major Lazer, and Burna Boy, building a reputation for versatility and cross-genre innovation.
A major turning point in his career came with his involvement in the Amapiano movement. Alongside Kabza De Small, he formed the influential duo “Scorpion Kings,” whose collaborations played a key role in transforming Amapiano from a local South African genre into a worldwide phenomenon. Their projects, including "Piano Hub" and "The Return of the Scorpion Kings," became foundational works in the genre’s development.
Maphorisa is also known for hit records such as “Abalele,” a collaboration with Kabza De Small and Ami Faku, which became one of South Africa’s most-streamed songs and received critical acclaim for its emotional depth and polished Amapiano production. His catalogue also includes influential tracks like “Midnight Starring” and “Izolo,” which further highlight his consistent presence in shaping mainstream African sound.
Beyond performance and production, he operates BlaqBoy Music, a label through which he mentors emerging talent and continues to influence the direction of African popular music. His style is characterized by genre fluidity, blending Amapiano, Afro-house, kwaito, and electronic elements into a distinctive, globally appealing sound.
Over the years, DJ Maphorisa has received multiple awards and nominations, including recognition at the Mzansi Kwaito and House Music Awards and other major African music platforms, reinforcing his status as one of the continent’s leading producers and cultural innovators.