South African vocalist Babalwa Mavuso, known to many as Babalwa M, has become one of the leading voices in amapiano. At just 31, she has already earned the title of “the Queen of Private School Amapiano” thanks to her soulful hits like Amalobolo, Pholisa, Bo Thata and more. Her rise has been fast and powerful, with the singer moving from dreaming about journalism to fully embracing a music career that now sees her headlining big shows, partnering with top brands, and even winning Amapiano Artist of the Year at the 2025 Basadi in Music Awards.
Babalwa told TRUELOVE that being called the private school ‘piano queen was the sign she needed to know she was walking in her purpose.
She explains, “The moment I realised I was on the right path was when people started calling me the ‘Queen of Private School Amapiano or Mama B’. It showed me that staying true to my sound and not changing myself to fit in was exactly what the industry needed. Every time someone tells me my music healed them or inspired them, it reminds me that I have purpose.”
Her brand is built on softness and sophistication, two qualities she believes set her apart in the growing amapiano world. She says those qualities help shape the unique identity she brings into her music, visuals, and partnerships.
When speaking on her dream collaborations, Babalwa highlights two South African legends she deeply admires.
“My dream features locally would be Zolani Mahola and Thandiswa Mazwai. Both of them inspire me so much, not only musically, but spiritually. Their voices carry truth, history, power and emotion in a way that moves people on a deeper level. I admire how their music is so timeless. I think collaborating with them would create something unforgettable for African music.”
Her approach to brand partnerships follows the same intentionality. “My brand has always been rooted in sophistication within amapiano,” she says. With her SKYY partnership, she aims to blend her aesthetic with lifestyle elements.
She explains, “I plan to bring my aesthetic and sound into the SKYY campaign by merging that soulful, private-school amapiano feel with premium lifestyle experiences. Through live performances, visuals, curated events or content, I want people to feel the elegance of amapiano while still having the freedom to enjoy themselves. It’s about creating memorable and fun moments.”
While building her brand, Babalwa is also hard at work on her upcoming album. She reveals that she’s experimenting with new sounds while keeping her core identity strong.
She shares, “I’m currently working on my upcoming album, which I’m really excited about. I’ve been experimenting with new sounds while still keeping that soulful Amapiano essence that my fans know me for. I’m also experimenting more with three-step.”
The decision to explore more of the three-step sound came naturally.
“After seeing the amazing love and response to Uvalo with Jazzwrld and Thukuthela, it became clear that my fans connect deeply with that style. So they can definitely expect more three-step moments on this album,” she adds.
Babalwa M’s journey is one of staying true to who she is — a soft-spoken powerhouse whose sound continues to grow, inspire, and shape the future of amapiano.
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