Kabelo Mabalane, professionally known as Kabelo or Bouga Luv, is a South African kwaito and hip-hop musician, songwriter, CEO, pastor, and actor. He is a member of the kwaito trio TKZee and has opened shows for global stars like Jay-Z, 50 Cent, Ja Rule, and Rihanna. He co-owned Faith Records, an independent South African music label, and served as a judge on SA’s Got Talent in 2014.

In August 2008, he appeared on the cover of Runner’s World magazine. Two years later, he performed at the 2010 FIFA World Cup Opening Ceremony with TKZee. His influence has also attracted major brand partnerships, including a deal with Reebok in 2005, which led to the release of a signature sneaker called Bouga Luv.

Early Life and Education

Kabelo Mabalane (born 15 December 1976) is from Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa. He attended the prestigious St. Stithian’s College in Randburg, Johannesburg, where he met his future TKZee bandmates, Zwai Bala and Tokollo Tshabalala.

Musical Career

Kabelo Mabalane has been active in the music industry since 1996. In 2000, he released his debut studio album, Everybody Watching, which included hit singles like “Pantsula For Life” and “Amasheleni.” The album went platinum within weeks, selling 100,000 copies. His second studio album, Rebel With A Cause, featured hits like “It’s My House” and “Ayeye” and reached double platinum status with 130,000 copies sold.

In 2003, he won a South African Music Award for Rebel With A Cause and followed up with And the Beat Goes On, which sold 150,000 copies and reached triple platinum status. This album included hit singles like “Zonke,” “Reverse Yomhlaba,” and “Zibuzwala Kimi.” In 2004, he won a Kora Award for Best Southern Africa Male Artist.

In 2005, Kabelo signed a deal with Reebok to release a sneaker called Bouga Luv. That same year, he began training for the Comrades Marathon, a 93 km race, and went on to complete five of them between 2006 and 2008. He was featured on the August 2008 cover of Runner’s World magazine. In 2008, the South African Sports Confederation Olympics Committee (SASCOC) named him an Olympic Ambassador.

He performed at the 2010 FIFA World Cup Opening Ceremony with his TKZee bandmates. In April 2010, he became the presenter of a multi-sport and lifestyle talk show on South Africa’s SABC2. Later that year, at the 30th SAB Sports Journalist of the Year Awards, he won two awards: Best Newcomer Overall and Best Newcomer Television Presenter.

Personal Life

Kabelo Mabalane married South African actress Gail Nkoane in a private ceremony on February 9, 2013. The couple has two children: their daughter, Zoe Leano Mabalane, born on March 28, 2015, and their son, Khumo, born on January 31, 2018.

In a recent interview on Podcast and Chill with MacG, Kabelo opened up about his past, his music career, his relationships with fellow Kwaito artists, his parents, gender-based violence, and his faith. He is widely regarded as one of the best-selling Kwaito artists of all time.

Songs

Albums

2001 – Everybody Watching

2003 – And The Beat Goes On

2004 – The Bouga Luv Album

2011 – Immortal Vol. 1

2012 – Immortal Vol. 2

2015 – Immortal Vol. 3

2015 – Alquimia Musical

2018 – Vuman’Izono

2024 – Ditakatso

EPs 

2020 – 7deOuros

2024 – Bekezela

Singles

2015 – Matimba

2017 – She’s the Queen of the Ocean

2019 – Purpp

2019 – Ballin

2019 – Deagle

2020 – Queima de Arquivo

2021 – Keep Walking