Prince Kaybee Releases New Afro-House Collaboration “Veliry” With Ben September

South African DJ and producer Prince Kaybee has returned with a fresh collaboration that brings together Afro-house, R&B and soul in a track titled “Veliry”. Released on 21 August 2026 via PLAYY. Records, the new single features singer-songwriter Ben September and marks another chapter in Kaybee’s ongoing exploration of contemporary African dance music. The release follows his previous single “Heno Babayo”, which gained attention from international media outlets and radio platforms while also receiving strong support in South Africa. With “Veliry”, Kaybee once again combines dancefloor-focused production with a melodic and emotionally driven approach. The collaboration also highlights the chemistry between Kaybee’s production style and September’s soulful vocal delivery.

“Veliry” follows the momentum created by “Heno Babayo”, a previous release that received international media and radio support. The song attracted coverage from platforms including Mixmag, YourEDM and House Music With Love, helping Kaybee reach audiences beyond South Africa. It also received airplay on UK station KISS XTRA’s The Afro Electronic Show, adding another international platform to its growing reach. In South Africa, “Heno Babayo” was covered by IOL and Music In Africa and received airplay on Metro FM, YFM and Good Hope FM. The response to the earlier single created a strong foundation for Kaybee’s next release and positioned “Veliry” as another important addition to his recent catalogue.

Musically, “Veliry” brings together Afro-house rhythms with elements of R&B and soul, creating a sound that balances electronic production with a warmer and more organic feel. The track begins with a guitar-led arrangement that establishes its melodic character before layered percussion and additional musical elements gradually build the production. Ben September takes centre stage vocally, bringing a soulful quality that complements the song’s rhythmic foundation. The combination allows the track to move between dance music and contemporary soul without losing its Afro-house identity. Kaybee’s production gives the song enough space for the vocals and melodies to remain prominent while maintaining the movement expected from a modern Afro-house release.

The inspiration behind “Veliry” adds a personal dimension to the new song. Kaybee explained that the track was inspired by a woman named Veliry, whose presence reminded him of “a beautiful day of harmonic love songs”. That description reflects the warm and romantic atmosphere that runs through the track. Rather than relying solely on its rhythm to carry the song, Kaybee uses melody, guitar and vocals to create an emotional setting around the central inspiration. September’s performance adds further depth to that idea by bringing the perspective of a singer-songwriter known for exploring themes connected to love, vulnerability and self-discovery. The result is a collaboration that connects a personal story with a polished contemporary African sound.

Prince Kaybee, whose real name is Kabelo Motsamai, has established himself as one of South Africa’s recognised names in dance music and production. His breakthrough came after winning the SABC 1 DJ and production competition 1’s and 2’s in 2015, a milestone that helped launch his professional career. Since then, he has produced and released several commercially successful songs that have expanded his profile both locally and internationally. His catalogue includes popular tracks such as “Club Controller”, “Banomoya” and “Uwrongo”, with the latter earning a place on TIME magazine’s list of the 10 best songs of 2020. These achievements have helped establish Kaybee as an artist capable of creating music that connects with South African audiences while also attracting international interest.

Kaybee’s career has also been shaped by a long list of collaborations with established and emerging artists. He has worked with performers including Lady Zamar, Busiswa, TNS, Shimza, Black Motion and Ami Faku, demonstrating his ability to move across different vocal and production styles. His work has earned him multiple South African Music Awards, including Male Artist of the Year, Best Dance Album and Album of the Year. He has also received a Metro FM Music Award for Best Dance Album, adding another significant achievement to his career. These accolades reflect the impact of his production work and his contribution to the growth of South African dance music.

Ben September brings a different but complementary artistic identity to “Veliry”. Originally from Sasolburg in the Free State, September has developed a profile through a blend of alternative R&B, Afro-pop and soul. His approach to songwriting often focuses on emotional subjects, including love, vulnerability and self-discovery, which makes his contribution to “Veliry” a natural fit for the song’s theme. September has previously worked with artists such as Kaybee, Tyler ICU, KLY, FLVME and The Big Hash, building a reputation as a versatile collaborator within South Africa’s contemporary music scene. His ability to combine soulful vocals with modern African influences gives the new Prince Kaybee collaboration an added layer of musical character.

The reunion between Kaybee and September also shows the value of creative chemistry between a producer and vocalist who understand each other’s musical strengths. Their previous collaboration created a foundation for them to explore another sound together, while “Veliry” gives both artists room to develop that relationship further. Kaybee’s production places emphasis on rhythm, melody and atmosphere, while September’s vocals provide the emotional centre of the track. Their combined approach allows the song to sit comfortably within Afro-house while drawing from the expressive qualities of R&B and soul. This balance reflects the increasingly fluid nature of contemporary African music, where artists can draw from several genres without being restricted to one sound.

“Veliry” also arrives at a time when African electronic music continues to reach broader audiences around the world. South African producers and DJs have played an important role in bringing Afro-house and related sounds to international dance floors, radio stations and digital platforms. Kaybee’s previous international media coverage and radio support demonstrate the growing interest in his music beyond his home market. The new single gives him another opportunity to build on that momentum while presenting a sound that remains connected to South Africa’s rich dance music tradition. By pairing Afro-house rhythms with R&B and soul influences, “Veliry” offers an accessible entry point for listeners who enjoy both electronic music and vocal-driven contemporary African sounds.

The release of “Veliry” on 21 August 2026 via PLAYY. Records adds another milestone to Prince Kaybee’s evolving career. The track shows that his creative direction continues to develop as he explores the space between Afro-house, soul and contemporary African music. Ben September’s contribution strengthens the emotional side of the production and gives the song a vocal identity that matches its romantic inspiration. After the international response to “Heno Babayo”, the new collaboration provides Kaybee with another opportunity to connect with listeners in South Africa and beyond. “Veliry” ultimately brings together two artists with complementary strengths and presents a polished new collaboration that continues Prince Kaybee’s journey of pushing African electronic music into new creative spaces.

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