JAZZWRLD

Born Kamohelo Monese in the mining town of Carletonville, South Africa, JAZZWRLD’s (FKA Jazzworx) grew up in a home where house music was woven into the rhythm of daily life. “My family loved house music, and I guess that’s where my deep personal connection with music started,” he recalls. Inspired by deep house legend Nastee Nev, whose unique sound first captured his attention at a local event, JAZZWRLD transformed from passionate listener to creator. “Watching him work with beats made me want to try it myself,” he says. “I taught myself how to produce music and play the piano.” 

He’s since shaped a sound he describes as “distinct from, but complementary to, house”, bringing “a soulful energy or vibe that is both emotive and danceable”. He fuses rhythmic depth with global appeal, a combination now defining his upward momentum. 

2024 marked a pivotal year. His team’s debut Outdoor Worx event sold out in Kenya that September, with expansions to Eswatini and Botswana already in the works. Early successes like ‘Vuka’, created alongside Thukuthela and Oscar Mbo, set his trajectory. “From the first big song I dropped, things just kept building,” he reflects. His album ‘The Most Wanted’ accelerated his rise, supported by performances at Luju, Kunye, and Balcony Mix festivals. 

His international breakthrough came in 2025, when Ciza’s ‘Isaka (6am)’ — which he produced — gained an unexpected second life. Also featuring Thukuthela, the record reached new heights when Tems and Omah Lay joined for ‘Isaka II’, hitting global territories and showcasing the versatility of JAZZWRLD’s sound — robust enough to elevate some of the most influential voices while remaining unmistakably his own. 

Looking ahead, JAZZWRLD has his sights set on worldwide expansion. “I would love to see the sound going beyond South Africa,” he says, pointing to ‘Vele Uyena’ as a bridge to international audiences. With an EP planned for 2026, a deluxe release with Thukuthela, and recent collaborations like ‘Ama Cup’ alongside Babalwa M, GL_Ceejay and Thukuthela, JAZZWRLD is cementing his presence on the international scene.