Amapiano sensation Soa Mattrix releases new track 'Memeza' with Kabza De Small

Amapiano sensation Mandla Mashakeni, known as Soa Mattrix, has teamed up with genre heavyweight Kabza De Small on their new release, “Memeza,” a dynamic track that fuses Afro-House rhythms with infectious Amapiano grooves.

Hailing from Soweto, 27-year-old Soa Mattrix has quickly risen in the past five years to become a standout name in South Africa’s music scene, delivering chart-topping hits like Mina Nawe, Wena Dali, and Idlozi Lami.

He returns with “Memeza,” a track whose title means “scream” or “shout” in Xhosa, featuring the mesmerising Starr Healer and Afro-house duo Fridgid Armadilo. Together, they transform the song into a passionate, rhythm-driven declaration of love, with Starr Healer’s soulful performance conveying a powerful message of defiance and devotion: “I don’t care what people say. Those who don’t believe in love are lost; they cannot feel what I am feeling. So I will scream, shout, and let the world know about the love we share.”

Speaking to The Star, Soa Mattrix said that the track evolved from an earlier beat into its unique sound during a studio session with Kabza De Small, with Afro-house duo Fridgid Armadilo adding the final touches.

Starr Healer’s vocals, delivered flawlessly on her first take, perfectly complemented the African-inspired melodies and added a soulful, spiritual dimension to the track.

“I played the beat for Starr Healer, and she just killed it on the first try, which made the whole process flow smoothly.” 

He added that working with Kabza De Small was a dynamic and inspiring experience. Their shared love for experimentation allowed them to explore genres outside their usual styles, keeping the music fresh and unpredictable, which made their studio sessions creatively rewarding.

Soa Mattrix revealed details about his upcoming album, HOSI, expressing confidence that fans will embrace the project after the extensive effort he invested to perfect its sound.

“I have a huge feeling that people will love it, even though I spent a lot of time going back and forth trying to make it perfect,” he said, emphasising the musical quality he aimed to achieve.

The album’s title, HOSI, meaning “King,” reflects both his personal journey and his sense of purpose. 

Soa Mattrix explained, “I’ve always had it in me that I’m the king of my own destiny, and my spirituality played a huge role in keeping me grounded and focused on what I want. The word ‘king’ also focuses back on the God that I pray to, saying that I appreciate his presence in my life, so now I know who I am.”

He further said that his upcoming album, HOSI, marks a departure from his previous projects both musically and personally. He emphasised that the album explores a new sound while placing greater focus on spirituality, which he described as a long-standing personal need. 

The 27-year-old added, “The sound is different and personality-wise it focuses mostly on spirituality, which is what I needed for such a long time,” signalling a more introspective and evolved approach to his music.

When asked about future collaborations, Soa Mattrix expressed interest in working with artists outside the Amapiano scene, including Afro-house and Afro-beat acts. 

“I’d really love to collaborate with people outside the piano game, guys like Caiiro, Dragga, and a lot of the Afro kings.”

Reflecting on his career highlights, the multi-award-winning producer said that being recognized by global music icons and invited to prestigious events has been defining for him. 

“Getting recognised by the biggest names in the music game globally, such as Usher, and getting invited to the biggest events like Piano People UK and more,” he noted, has solidified his place in the international music landscape.

“Memeza” is now available on all major digital platforms.

The Star

masabata.mkwananzi@inl.co.za