The Amapiano pioneer, Mr JazziQ discusses the inspiration behind his latest single, collaborating with emerging talent, the connection between music and stance culture, and what fans can expect from his upcoming project.
Mr JazziQ continues to push the boundaries of Amapiano, drawing inspiration from the streets, collaborating with emerging talent and exploring the cultural movements that shape the genre. With his latest single, Katalia, featuring Thesiix, Don Deeya, Magwe and Shazz RSA, the celebrated DJ and producer brings together music, modified car culture and the distinctive energy of the kasi.
Inspired by the melody of Macarena by Los Del Rio, the track takes a familiar global reference and reimagines it through a distinctly South African lens. It also introduces listeners to Bujwa, an Amapiano subgenre pioneered by Thesiix, while highlighting the collaborative approach that has become central to Mr JazziQ’s work through his label, Black Is Brown.
Beyond the music, Katalia connects with Stance Social, the car culture event that reflects Mr JazziQ’s longstanding appreciation for modified cars and street culture. With another edition scheduled for 7 November 2026 in Johannesburg and a new project on the horizon, the producer is continuing to build on a career that extends well beyond the studio.
We caught up with Mr JazziQ to discuss the story behind Katalia, the importance of artist development, his journey through Amapiano and his vision for the culture’s future.
Congratulations on the release of your new single, ‘Katalia’, featuring Thesiix, Don Deeya, Magwe and Shazz RSA. What inspired the concept behind the song, and how did the idea of bringing the streets into Amapiano come together?
The concept was inspired by the FIFA World Cup Final, when they played Macarena after Spain won. Don Deeya recorded the melody on his phone, and the idea stayed with him from that moment.
I’m from eKasi, so I understand what happens in the streets and have experienced different aspects of that life. That’s why we sometimes tell our kasi and street stories through music.
The name ‘Katalia’ refers to a woman who is loved and recognised in the streets, while also being used to describe a standout modified car in stance culture. What does the name mean to you personally, and why did you feel it was the right concept for this song?
To me, it means both because I love stance cars, and we also refer to certain women as Katalia. It was the right concept because it’s relatable.
The song introduces Bujwa, the Amapiano subgenre pioneered by Thesiix, giving the record a different rhythmic identity. What attracted you to Bujwa, and how did working in this sound challenge or expand your creative approach?
It all really comes from me rebuilding my label, Black Is Brown, and signing new talent. That’s how Thesiix came into the picture, as he’s a pioneer of the sound.
I’m always looking to push the game further and give opportunities to young talent I resonate with whenever I can. That, in itself, allows me to expand my creative approach because I learn from them, and they, in turn, learn from me.
‘Katalia’ was inspired by ‘Macarena’ by Los Del Rio after Don Deeya heard the song following Spain’s World Cup victory. How did the original melody influence the creative process, and what was important to you when reinterpreting it through a South African musical and cultural lens?
The entire song really sits on the original melody. Once we had that idea, everything else fell into place.
It was important to bring it back to the original dance when we created the TikTok dance challenge. We knew it was a dance that resonates with South Africans and people across the globe. After all, the international market is the space we play in.
This collaboration brings together Thesiix, Don Deeya, Magwe and Shazz RSA. How did each artist contribute to the final sound of ‘Katalia’, and what made this combination of artists work so naturally in the studio?
We’re all artists under my label, Black Is Brown. We’re a family and work together in the studio every day, so this is a combination you’ll see more often.
Everybody brings their own flavour, which is completely different from the next person’s.
The track marks several firsts, including your first Bujwa release, Shazz RSA’s debut in officially released Bujwa music, and Thesiix’s first Bujwa release featuring a female vocalist. What do these milestones mean to you and the other artists involved?
It’s not something we really pay attention to. To us, we’re just working, you know, in the same way a corporate person clocks in and out of work every day.
There’s so much more I see for them. They’re all talented.
You have built a career from your early days with JazziDisciples to your solo work, podcasting, nightlife and entrepreneurial ventures such as Vibez On Main and Stance Social. How has your journey influenced the way you approach music and the culture surrounding Amapiano today?
It’s been a special journey that I’m hugely grateful for. I now approach music from an angle of collaboration, with artist development being something very close to my heart. It further pushes the culture and sound of Amapiano forward.
‘Katalia’ connects directly with Stance Social, with the next edition scheduled for 7 November 2026 in Johannesburg. How important is it for you to bring music, modified car culture and the streets together, and what can fans expect from this connection?
It’s quite important to me. Stance culture, modified cars or just nice cars, nje, are things we grow up around when we’re products of the hood. I know that’s a story and connection that resonates with a lot of us.
Fans can expect this to be a growing culture over the coming years, as we also plan to take it nationwide!
You recently released ‘Katalia’, and your upcoming project is set for release in November. What can fans expect from the project, and how does this new single represent the direction you are taking with your music and creative journey?
Fans can always expect me to feed them with music; they’ll never be starved. They can basically expect an extension of Katalia, expanded into a fuller body of work!
Looking Ahead
With Katalia, Mr JazziQ continues to explore the intersection of Amapiano, street culture and collaboration, using his platform to bring emerging talent into the spotlight while drawing inspiration from the environments that shaped him. The single also reflects his broader vision for Black Is Brown, where artist development and creative experimentation remain central to his approach.
As he prepares to release his upcoming project in November and takes Stance Social towards its next edition, Mr JazziQ is looking beyond individual releases to the communities, experiences and cultural movements that surround the music. If Katalia is any indication, his next chapter will continue to celebrate the streets while pushing Amapiano into new creative territory.
