Lordkez Pays Tribute to Mzansi With Kazet Remix of a Mahlathini & the Mahotella Queens Classic

South African singer Lordkez is bringing a fresh Afropop sound to a celebrated piece of Mzansi’s musical history with “Kazet (lordkez Revisit),” a remix of the classic associated with Mahlathini & the Mahotella Queens. The release forms part of Gallo Remixed, a project that gives contemporary artists an opportunity to reinterpret music from South Africa’s rich recording heritage. For Lordkez, known for the hit “Aweh,” the song offers a chance to connect a new generation of listeners with a track that has travelled well beyond South Africa. The remix combines the character of the original with a contemporary production approach. “Kazet (lordkez Revisit)” is now available across digital streaming platforms, giving audiences a new way to experience a song with deep roots in Mzansi’s musical history.

The history of “Kazet” stretches back further than the version that became widely associated with Mahlathini & the Mahotella Queens. The song was originally written and produced by hitmakers Peter Moticoe and Obed Ngobeni as “Ku Hluvukile Eka Zete,” which translates as “Things have improved in Gazankulu/Zet.” The original recording was made with the Kurhula Sisters and released in 1983 on Head’s. This earlier version established the foundation for a song that would later take on a different musical identity. Its Xitsonga roots remain an important part of the story behind the modern Lordkez remix.

A later mbaqanga version appeared under the title “Gazette (Kazet),” although it is also commonly known simply as “Kazet.” Mahlathini & the Mahotella Queens recorded and popularised this version as part of their 1987 comeback album, “Paris-Soweto.” The album was released through Gallo-GRC and produced by Gallo super-producer West Nkosi. The combination of Mahlathini’s distinctive vocal presence and the Mahotella Queens’ celebrated sound helped establish the track as an important part of the group’s repertoire. The song’s continued circulation also demonstrates how South African music can evolve across different recordings while retaining a connection to its original composition.

The international journey of “Kazet” adds another important dimension to its legacy. Mahlathini & the Mahotella Queens performed the song at the Angoulême Festival in France in 1987, where it formed part of their introduction to audiences outside South Africa. The song went on to remain popular in France and received multiple releases across Europe and the United Kingdom. Its international reach shows that the appeal of South African music has never been limited to domestic audiences. Decades later, the song’s return through Gallo Remixed creates another opportunity for its musical history to reach listeners who may not have encountered the original recordings.

Lordkez’s involvement brings a contemporary perspective to this established piece of South African music. Rather than simply reproducing the earlier recording, “Kazet (lordkez Revisit)” approaches the song through an Afropop lens. The remix was produced by Cape Town-based producer Tyron Woods, whose production credits include work with Tresor. Woods developed the new version during the Gallo 100 song camp held in Cape Town in October 2025. The camp was organised in collaboration with Pressure Cooker Studios and MIP Africa’s Fame Week, bringing together contemporary music creators around material from Gallo’s extensive catalogue.

The Gallo 100 song camp provided a setting where established South African recordings could meet newer production ideas. That creative process is central to the concept behind a remix such as “Kazet (lordkez Revisit).” The original composition carries the history of Xitsonga music, mbaqanga and South African popular music, while the new production introduces a sound aimed at contemporary Afropop listeners. This creates a musical connection between different periods without requiring the newer recording to replicate the earlier version. Lordkez’s interpretation therefore places a historic South African song within a current creative environment.

The choice of “Kazet” also highlights the importance of preserving and reintroducing South Africa’s musical heritage. Songs recorded decades ago can sometimes become less familiar to younger audiences as listening habits and popular sounds change. Contemporary remixes can provide a bridge by placing older compositions in formats that connect with current listeners. In this case, the presence of a modern artist such as Lordkez gives the song a new point of entry for audiences familiar with Afropop but perhaps less familiar with Mahlathini & the Mahotella Queens. The project also draws attention to the depth of the Gallo catalogue and the many stories contained within South African recorded music.

For Lordkez, the remix follows her connection with contemporary South African music through her own work. Her “Aweh” hit has helped establish her as part of the current generation of artists shaping the country’s evolving sound. Taking on a song with a history that reaches back to the 1980s places her in a different creative context from her own releases. It allows her to engage with an established musical legacy while bringing her artistic identity into the interpretation. The result is a meeting point between South Africa’s recorded past and its contemporary Afropop scene.

The story behind “Kazet” also demonstrates how songs can develop through different artists, genres and audiences. Its journey began with the Kurhula Sisters recording of “Ku Hluvukile Eka Zete” in 1983 before the later mbaqanga interpretation became associated with Mahlathini & the Mahotella Queens. Its popularity in France and other European markets added an international chapter to its history. The Lordkez revisit now adds another chapter through a contemporary South African production. Each stage has contributed to the song’s continuing life rather than replacing what came before.

“Kazet (lordkez Revisit)” ultimately represents more than a new remix of a well-known South African classic. It brings together Xitsonga musical heritage, mbaqanga history and contemporary Afropop in a single release. Lordkez’s interpretation gives the song a new setting while retaining its connection to a composition that has travelled across generations and borders. Tyron Woods’ production and the creative environment of the Gallo 100 song camp helped turn that meeting of past and present into a contemporary recording. With the track now available on digital streaming platforms, “Kazet (lordkez Revisit)” gives new and longtime listeners another opportunity to engage with a distinctive piece of Mzansi’s musical heritage.