In an industry often driven by spectacle, King Sweetkid’s (real name Kgotso Makgale) rise feels deliberately different — slower, deeper, and rooted in truth.
After nearly 15 years of shaping his voice in the shadows of South Africa’s music scene, the Heidelberg-born artist is stepping into his most defining chapter yet with peace, love and everything else, an album that signals not just maturity, but arrival.
Set for release some time this year, the project marks a full-circle moment for an artist whose relationship with music began long before charts, playlists or industry recognition. This is not a debut born overnight.
It is the culmination of years of lived experience, creative discipline and quiet resilience — now presented to a mainstream audience ready to listen.
A Journey Rooted in Ratanda
For Kgotso, music was never a pastime. It was formative.
Raised in Ratanda township in the south of Gauteng, and nurtured through local arts and culture programmes ekasi.
His his early exposure to the creative industry through his cultural dance group Collaboration shaped more than just his sound — it shaped his worldview.
At a young age, Kgotso has seen the World – from his journey doing gumboot dancing in his school days to thrilling stages with his music prowess now as an adult.
However, the township was not simply a backdrop to his upbringing; it became the lens through which he understands people, pain, hope and purpose.
“Heidelberg (Ratanda) shaped my perspective about life,” he says. “Everything I was exposed to while growing up is everything I’m able to put in a song. It influenced my sound, my fashion, my thinking — everything.”
While his journey has taken him beyond his hometown, the connection remains intact. Today, his progress stands as a point of pride for the community, particularly for young people searching for alternatives to limiting circumstances.
“Music is a hero,” he reflects. “It saved a lot of people from a lot of things.”
To the next generation watching closely, his message is anchored in belief and discipline. “Conviction,” he says simply. “Dream as big as you want. I promise you, you’ll make it to your destination.”
The Mantra: peace, love and everything Else
At its core, debut album is a reflection of Makgale’s current mental and spiritual posture. In a world defined by constant noise and uncertainty, the album offers stillness — not as escapism, but as grounding.
The title itself carries intention. It reflects a personal hierarchy of healing: peace as the foundation, love as the extension, and with both in place, the strength to face everything else emhlabeni — in the world.
Musically, the project draws from deeply South African influences while remaining fluid and expansive. It is soulful without being sentimental, introspective without losing accessibility.
While the full tracklist remains under wraps, “Thetha Nami” stands out as a central emotional pillar — an uplifting song that encapsulates the album’s spirit of honesty, vulnerability and divine connection.
The Power of Honesty
What separates King Sweetkid from many of his contemporaries is his refusal to fabricate experience.
His creative process is organic and unforced — sometimes written, sometimes freestyled, sometimes born entirely in the studio — but always grounded in reality.
“I don’t have the ability to write about something I never experienced,” he admits.
That commitment to truth has become his signature. Songs like “Ryd” and “Thetha Nami” resonate not because they chase trends, but because they feel lived-in.
They are records of survival, faith and upliftment — music that listens as much as it speaks.
Fun fact: The song Ryd has been charting for three years, arguably one of his best tracks yet.
The Beginning of an Era
Despite the weight of this moment, King Sweetkid approaches his mainstream breakthrough with calm intention.
There is no rush toward flashy collaborations or short-term validation. Instead, the focus is on longevity, service and solidifying his place in South Africa’s evolving musical canon.
Throughout his journey, he has shared the stages with the country’s biggest names. From his work with Kwesta while coming up to now working alongside Big Star Johnson and Touchline amongst others.
Asked why audiences should press play when peace, love and everything else drops (expected around September), his response is immediate and unfiltered:
“Because it’s therapy.”
With this project, King Sweetkid is not chasing hits — he is offering refuge. In doing so, he positions himself not just as an artist, but as a voice for reflection, healing and self-acceptance in a beautifully flawed world.
After 15 years in the making, peace, love and everything else doesn’t mark the end of a journey. It marks the moment the rest of the country finally catches up.
For more updates on King Sweetkid and his upcoming studio album, follow his social media pages on Facebook (Real King Sweetkid), Instagram (King Sweetkid) with his music available on all major streaming apps like Apple Music.
