South African musician Ciza recently spoke on Metro FM about his working relationship with DJ and producer Oscar Mbo, highlighting how their collaboration and early industry interactions contributed to his rise in the amapiano scene. The discussion comes as the two artists have released their latest collaborative single, “Mngani Wam,” which is set to feature on Ciza’s upcoming project, Ciza’s Palace.
During the interview, Ciza reflected on his early breakthrough with the hit track “Isaka (6am),” explaining how industry support played a role in its exposure. He said Oscar Mbo was among the first established figures to support him when he was still building his career.
He stated, “Oscar Mbo supported me from day one, he’s one of the guys who helped Isaka blow up.”
Ciza also recalled how performance opportunities helped introduce his music to wider audiences. He mentioned being invited to perform at events linked to the popular Balcony Mix series hosted by Major League DJz. The platform, known for showcasing amapiano and house artists in live outdoor and rooftop-style sets, has featured various South African DJs and producers, including Oscar Mbo, who has previously appeared on the series in different editions alongside Major League DJz.
According to Ciza, one of the key moments in his early exposure came when he was given a stage opportunity during a Balcony Mix event. He explained that the moment allowed him to reach a larger audience and gain recognition within the amapiano community.
He added, “It actually blew up at one of the twins’ show, Balcony Mix. He put me on stage, gave me the shine at the time.”
The Balcony Mix series, initiated by Major League DJz during the COVID-19 period, has become a global platform for amapiano and house music, featuring live sets from various artists across different locations.
Ciza further described the experience as a turning point in his career, noting that early support from established artists helped build momentum around his breakout record Isaka (6am), which later became one of the most recognized amapiano tracks in South Africa.
He concluded by describing his collaboration with Oscar Mbo on “Mngani Wam” as a “full circle” moment, linking their current work to the early stages of his career when he was first introduced to wider audiences through shared stages and collaborative platforms.
