Rising Amapiano star Thatohatsi is reflecting on the valuable life and career lessons she has learned from two of the genre’s biggest names, Kabza De Small and DJ Maphorisa, revealing that the Scorpion Kings taught her the importance of patience, hard work and developing a “thick skin” in the music industry.
Born Thato Raphadi in Springs, Ekurhuleni, Thatohatsi has been steadily making her mark in the Amapiano scene through songs such as “Izospana,” “Ama Hem Hem” and “Injabulo.” Her growing profile has also earned her a place on the lineup for the highly anticipated Scorpion Kings Live concert at FNB Stadium in Johannesburg.
Speaking to Daily Sun, Thatohatsi expressed her excitement about being part of the massive event.
“I’m really excited. It’s an honour to be part of something this big, and I can’t wait to perform for everyone,” she said.
The vocalist believes this year’s Scorpion Kings Live will surpass the previous edition, with Kabza De Small and DJ Maphorisa’s team already putting significant effort into creating an unforgettable experience for fans.
“Honestly, I’m excited because I feel like this year’s Scorpion Kings is going to be much bigger than the last one. Phori and Kabza’s team have done an amazing job on everything. This year’s concert is going to be insane, as you can see, we’ve already started with the marketing.”
Beyond their musical collaborations, Thatohatsi says Kabza and Phorisa have played an important role in shaping her mindset as an artist. One of their biggest lessons has been learning how to deal with criticism and negativity, particularly on social media.
“What they taught me in life is to be patient because I can be impatient sometimes. I can also quickly get affected by things that are said on social media, so they taught me to have a thick skin in this music industry,” she explained.
She added that the duo encouraged her to ignore negativity and remain focused on her journey.
“They told me that people are going to keep talking and I should ignore them and be a strong woman.”
Thatohatsi also credits the Scorpion Kings for teaching her the importance of working hard and investing time and passion into her craft.
When it comes to promoting her music, social media remains her biggest tool. She believes artists must first believe in their own music before expecting audiences to connect with it.
As she prepares for Scorpion Kings Live, Thatohatsi has promised fans a memorable performance filled with music, dancing and energy.
“I just want people to have a good time. I want them to sing along, dance and leave with unforgettable memories.”
With thousands of Amapiano lovers expected at FNB Stadium, Thatohatsi is ready to show exactly why she is one of the rising stars to watch.
