Prince Kaybee's debut album was released back in 2017 and was titled I Am Music. The album was an immediate hit as the album was promoted through the lead single and Song of the Year contender at the time Charlotte, featuring Lady Zamar.
Read more: Prince Kaybee Defends Yvonne Chaka Chaka's Questionable Vocals
Read more: Prince Kaybee Defends Yvonne Chaka Chaka's Questionable Vocals
Through the success of the album, Prince Kaybee was able to cement himself as one the flagship artists under his signing as one of the artists of Universal Music before it was renamed Universal Music Group. Subsequently, he would release his sophomore hit album Re Mmino which included hits like Club Controller and Fetch Your Life.
As such, Prince Kaybee believed that his music and albums would be classics similar to his first and sophomore albums. So much so that he believed he would retire after releasing his fourth studio album at the time. However, The 4th Republic did not have the same impact, nor did his fifth studio album Gemini.
Throughout this time, it seems that Prince Kaybee had placed the blame for this occurrence on his contract with Universal Music hence his latest announcement.
Prince Kaybee announce split from Universal Music
Taking to Twitter on Monday, 3 April 2023, Prince Kaybee confirmed that he had ended his contractual agreement with Universal Music which took effect on the same day. Real name Kabelo Motsamai was seemingly elated as he shared the official contractual agreement with a quote from Kanye West expressing his jubilation.
— K A B I L L I O N (@PrinceKaybee_SA) April 3, 2023
Moreover, to drive the point across his subsequent tweets made it clear that Prince Kaybee was elated to put his working relationship with Universal Music in the past as he looks forward to making new music and finally releasing his music as an independent artist.
Now I have all this power I’m not used to, I can do wateva I want but its so foreign to me I’m even panicking… pic.twitter.com/HQ1YpPOU6Z
— K A B I L L I O N (@PrinceKaybee_SA) April 3, 2023
Today my Spotify numbers went up 7%
— K A B I L L I O N (@PrinceKaybee_SA) April 3, 2023
Were yall waiting for me to leave Universal or what?
Seemingly, his contractual obligations might have had to do with the fact that in 2022, Prince Kaybee had been open and vocal about experiencing a block in making new music. However, Prince Kaybee had started making new music as he shared snippets on social media.
However, this new music he is making might not be for a South African audience as he recently shared his thoughts on the current landscape of music appreciation locally. As reported at the time:
Prince Kaybee angered South Africans when he said there is nothing left for him here because of the forever-changing music scene. With the world dancing to Amapiano which originated in South Africa, Prince Kaybee and a few other artists' spotlights have dimmed.
Read more: Is Prince Kaybee A 'One Trick Pony' When It Comes To Marketing His Music?
When he shared a snippet from his new music, a fan asked Prince Kaybee if he thinks it's logical for him to switch up his style?
“You’ve completely changed your style, do you think it’s a good move though?”
Prince Kaybee gave a very uncanny response and got dragged for it, “In South Africa it's sad, today they love you tomorrow they hate you. There’s nothing for me here. And I share these thoughts with a heavy heart, you can’t teach South Africans new music, all they want is familiarity and an artist can’t keep making (the) same music all the time,” he responded.
Image credit; ZAlebs