Amapiano virtuoso Kelvin Momo is riding a powerful wave of success, and with his latest project Thato Ya Modimo, he’s not only dominating the charts—he’s also getting deeply personal. In a recent interview, Kelvin Momo opened up about the inspiration behind the emotional and spiritually charged title of his 29-track masterpiece.
The DJ and producer, whose real name is Thato Kelvin Ledwaba, shared that Thato Ya Modimo—which translates to “God’s Will”—was inspired by a saying often echoed by his grandmother and mother during his upbringing. “My grandmother and my mom used to say ‘Thato ya Modimo ha e phetehe’—God’s will cannot be undone,” he revealed. “I went to my mom on Saturday and she said, ‘I heard you dropped an album and you named it Thato Ya Modimo,’ and I was like, ‘Yeah, I did, because that’s what you guys used to say at home.’”
Kelvin Momo also explained that the title represents a rebirth of himself musically and personally. “Thato is a rebirth of me from the Private School Amapiano sound. It’s a continuation of the sound—I haven’t forgotten. I didn’t forget who I am in the industry,” he added. This album marks a return to the roots of what made his name synonymous with soulful, emotive, and jazz-infused Amapiano.
With Thato Ya Modimo, Kelvin Momo not only pays tribute to his spiritual and cultural foundations but also reconnects with the identity that shaped his unique sound. “I’m trying to bring back the old Thato, the old Kelvin Momo,” he said, expressing a deep commitment to authenticity and honoring his journey.
He also shared a heartfelt moment about his name, saying, “My mom was like, ‘One day I’m going to tell you the story of why I named you Thato,’ and I hope one day she’ll say it—so the world can understand why she named me that.”
As he gears up for his highly anticipated three-night performance at the Redbull Symphonic, Kelvin Momo continues to prove that every move he makes is driven by purpose, meaning, and a deep respect for his roots. Thato Ya Modimo is not just an album—it’s a reflection of destiny, heritage, and the will of something greater.
