Kelvin Momo: Biography, Age, Background, Songs

Kelvin Momo (born 1994) is a South African DJ and record producer. He is best known for private school amapiano, a mix of jazz, deep house, and lounge.

Table of Contents

In 2020, he released his debut album, Momo’s Private School, under the label of amapiano pioneer Kabza De Small, Piano Hub. He is one of South Africa’s most sought-after producers, who creates production mixes.

Kelvin Momo
Although Kelvin Momo began producing beats as a teenager, his first major single releases were in 2019, including Abantu Bethu and Yelele.
Personal Details
Name:	Thato Kelvin Ledwaba
Born:	1994 (age 31 years old)
Place of birth:	Diepkloof, Soweto, Johannesburg
Nationality:	South African
Occupation:	DJ and record producer
Years active::	2019-date

Early Life

Thato Kelvin Ledwaba was born in August 1994 in Diepkloof, Soweto, Johannesburg, South Africa. Growing up, he watched his father play music, specifically jazz, which made him develop love for music. He then started to familiarize himself with different genres.

He got his first phone in high school, so he used it to learn how to DJ, select songs, and create a playlist from there.

Career

Momo has released hit singles since his debut. In 2019, he dropped the atmospheric Abantu Bethu with C.A. Souls. He has also collaborated with other artists such as Luu Nineleven and DJ Stoks on the song smash “Yelele”.

Momo was also featured on the ninth edition of the influential label House Afrika’s Mzansi House compilation. He is regarded as a pioneer of a subgenre of Amapiano that blends smooth jazz elements with deep house influences, Private School Amapiano.

His mixture of jazz, deep house, and lounge has gained him listeners from both local and international audiences. He has earned the title of the king of private school Amapiano.

Kelvin Momo has also climbed many music charts. In June 2024, he secured many spots on the Local Top 100 and the International Top 200 with his tracks Pholisa, Amalobolo, and Uhambe Wrongo.

Kelvin has crafted a musical identity marked by emotional compositions and a refined, piano-driven sound. He ventured into music after discovering the piano, and his talents singled him out. He performed in local events and church services, drawing in his early times in the industry.

Eventually, Momo joined the emerging Amapiano movement and has collaborated with key figures. He was then distinguished from other producers by the more nuanced approach to his sound.

He released his debut album Momo’s Private School in 2020. Its warm instrumentation and gentle, melodic flow got it many praises and thereby became a landmark for the Private School Amapiano sound.

Momo collaborated with the producer and vocalist Babalwa M. to drop the EP Bayeke. One of his best-known songs from Momo’s catalogue is Pholisa. He has also had other successful collaborations, including Uhambe Wrongo, with Bandros and Smash SA, featuring Mr Maker.

Momo released the critically praised album, Kurhula, in December 2023, which included the song Amalobolo. It climbed to number 11 on the local top 100 and 24 on the international top 200 charts.

He has since his debut dropped other albums, including Ivy League (2021), Amukelani (2022), Sewe (2024), and Ntsako(2024). His albums featured rich vocals, and his works reached platinum status in South Africa.