Amapiano duo Kgotso “Thukuthela” Dube and Kamohelo “Jazzworx” Monese have turned a terrifying experience into a story of resilience, rebuilding their lives and careers after a traumatic house robbery nearly derailed their music journey.
Just weeks before the release of their 13-track album Most Wanted, armed robbers stormed their home, kidnapping Jazzworx and their friend Gobokweone “GL Ceejay” Lekganyane. Thukuthela narrowly escaped the ordeal as he was not present at the time. The criminals made off with valuable possessions, clothes, music files, and studio equipment, leaving the artists devastated and at a critical crossroads.
Instead of allowing the setback to define them, the duo bounced back with remarkable speed. Within just two weeks, they managed to re-record the songs that had been stolen and complete their album.
“We had to re-record all the music. We had a few songs that we had completed and sent to the distribution company. However, we had to re-record a bulk of the music,” Thukuthela explained.
Their efforts paid off almost immediately—Most Wanted debuted strong and is already climbing the charts just weeks after its release. The duo credits this comeback to discipline, focus, and a newfound awareness of their environment.
In the aftermath, both artists made the tough decision to relocate to a safer area and reinforce their personal security.
“We had to change locations. We stay somewhere safer, and there is extra security. And we can’t take the risk again, especially as the brands grow,” Thukuthela shared.
The experience also forced them to reflect on their inner circle. Jazzworx admitted, “We’ve had to cut off bad friends and being around the wrong circles. We learnt to be disciplined and how to be humble and respectful. Whatever feels wrong for us needs to stay far away.”
While the robbery was a harsh wake-up call, it accelerated their growth both musically and personally. “We are learning about the business side of the music industry. We had a dream but didn’t see ourselves reaching international standards so soon,” Thukuthela said. “Our music is being recognised globally.”
Still relatively new in the industry, they are now more determined to run their own race without falling into conflict or distractions. “Thinking you’re a threat because one bad incident happened makes you take on the role of a victim. We are not victims,” said Thukuthela.
With brotherhood at the core of their partnership, Jazzworx and Thukuthela are determined to rise above challenges, proving that resilience and unity can turn even the darkest moments into milestones. “We are men; everyone makes mistakes. We don’t like conflict, but we try to talk things through and move on,” Jazzworx said.
