Major League DJz are a South African music duo consisting of identical twin brothers Bandile and Banele Mbere. They have become global ambassadors for Amapiano and Afro House music, crafting a sound that blends kwaito, Amapiano, and other African genres with American hip-hop. Born on 3 January 1991 in Boston, Massachusetts, the twins have built a career spanning over a decade, achieving cultural icon status in South Africa and across the continent.
Their journey from organizing parties as high schoolers in Johannesburg to performing on global stages like Coachella is a testament to their dedication, versatility, and the universal appeal of their music. As of 2026, they are 35 years old and continue to push African dance music into new hemispheres.
Personal Information
Full names: Bandile and Banele Mbere
Stage name: Major League DJz
Date of birth: 3 January 1991
Age: 35 years old (as of 2026)
Place of birth: Boston, Massachusetts, United States
Nationality: South African
Occupation: DJs, record producers, songwriters
Genres: Amapiano, Afro House, New Age Kwaito, Afrobeat
Years active: 2009 to present
Record label: Atlantic Records
Early Life and Background
Bandile and Banele Mbere were born into a South African family living in exile in Boston, Massachusetts. Their parents were anti-apartheid campaigners who moved in the same social circles as legendary South African musicians like Hugh Masekela, Caiphus Semenya, Letta Mbulu, and Miriam Makeba. These associations offered the twins an unconventional education on South African jazz and popular African music, which they paired with the hip-hop music they loved in America.
Following the end of South Africa’s apartheid regime, the brothers returned to the country and started to build a platform for themselves as party organizers. Their family’s connections to the music industry gave them a unique perspective on African music, which would later influence their distinctive sound.
Music Career Beginnings
The Mbere brothers began their journey in the South African music scene in 2009, first as party organizers and then as DJs. They started throwing parties as high schoolers and eventually began experimenting with DJing, filling in for DJs who missed sets at their well-attended events. They also held special edition parties in honour of western stars like Akon, Fat Joe, and 50 Cent.
Their interest in music eventually evolved into music creation. In the early 2010s, they released a series of dance-ready hip-hop-influenced mixtapes that melded their love for rap culture with the swaggering dance music of South Africa. These early releases won them a core following that became the earliest supporters of their culture-shifting series of shows called Major League Gardens, where they showcased their music live alongside acts like Busiwah, Focalistic, and A-Reece.
New Age Kwaito Movement
Moved by the rhythmic pulse of kwaito music, Major League DJz soon became key figures in a movement called New Age Kwaito alongside popular rappers Cassper Nyovest and Riky Rick. The New Age Kwaito movement helped to put a youthful spin on the national sound of post-apartheid South Africa.
Their 2019 EP with Focalistic, titled “Ase Trap Tse Ke Pina Tsa Ko Kasi,” was a seminal release that drew particular acclaim and helped establish them at the forefront of this movement.
Amapiano Breakthrough and Albums
Possessing similar elements to kwaito, the brothers embraced Amapiano just as it was rising to national popularity in early 2020. Two albums, “Pianocbella” and “What’s The Level,” both released in 2020, helped to document their fascination with Amapiano as they sauntered between light-hearted ballads and more uptempo party ravers. These albums featured collaborations with guests like Costa Titch, Kamo Mphela, and Stunna.
Another album, titled “Outside,” followed in December 2021. Mostly recorded during quarantine in Ghana, the brothers used the album as an opportunity to connect Amapiano with other sonic styles from across the continent. They also released “Piano Republik” in 2023, teaming up with Major Lazer again, and issued another edition of their Balcony Mix series.
Balcony Mix Africa: A Global Phenomenon
The rising popularity of Amapiano and the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, which meant that people couldn’t congregate for their Major League Gardens shows, led the brothers to pivot to virtual means to keep their audience engaged. This gap led to the creation of their wildly popular Balcony Mix series.
The Balcony Mix series became a global phenomenon, with the brothers collaborating with stars like Vigro Deep, Major Lazer, Tyler ICU, Boohle, and Kabza De Small across editions of the show. They have since expanded their event properties, including Balcony Mix Africa and Untitled Audio, from locally celebrated platforms into globally recognized cultural exports.
World Record and Major Milestones
In September 2022, Major League DJz broke the world record for the longest DJ set performed by a duo, performing for 75 hours for a special edition of their Balcony Mix Xperience. The marathon set was attended by DJ Speedsta, rapper Tshego, Zakes Bantwini, Karyendasoul, and EFF leader Julius Malema.
Earlier in 2022, the brothers fulfilled the promise of their 2020 hit “Pheli to Coachella” by performing on both weekends of the Coachella Festival alongside longtime inspiration, Black Coffee. They followed that feat with a sold-out headline show at the O2 Academy Brixton in London.
Global Recognition and Awards
Three months after the release of “Outside,” Major League DJz announced a global recording deal with Atlantic Records in 2022. Since then, they have received widespread international recognition:
In 2024, they were featured as Beatport’s Artist of the Month, highlighting their growing influence in the rise of Afro House on the international electronic music circuit.
They received a nomination at the 2024 DJ Awards, often referred to as the “Oscars of Electronic Music,” in the Afro category alongside DJ Black Coffee, DJ Euphonic (also known as Themba), and Kelvin Momo. The Major League DJz stated: “This nomination is a dream come true. We’ve always believed in the power of African music to unite people, and to be recognised on this scale is a win not just for us, but for every artist pushing the sound of the continent forward”.
In 2026, the duo received a nomination for Afro House Song of the Year at the Miami Electronic Dance Music Awards for their single “Come With Me,” featuring English singer-songwriter Jorja Smith. The track was described as one of their first Afro House records to break internationally.
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Collaborations with Global Stars
Major League DJz have collaborated with numerous international artists across their career. They have worked with Major Lazer, Black Coffee, Tiwa Savage, and many others. In 2024, they teamed up with American rapper Wiz Khalifa for the single “Mine for the Night”.
They have also cultivated strong relationships with key figures in the Afro-House space such as Rampa, Keinemusik, and Black Coffee, while remaining committed to spotlighting and collaborating with the next generation of emerging acts and producers.
Discography
Studio Albums:
- Pianocbella (2020)
- What’s The Level (2020)
- Outside (2021)
- Piano Republik (2023)
EPs and Mixtapes:
- Ase Trap Tse Ke Pina Tsa Ko Kasi – with Focalistic (2019)
- Balcony Mix series – multiple editions
Notable Singles:
- Come With Me – featuring Jorja Smith (2025)
- Mine for the Night – featuring Wiz Khalifa (2024)
Musical Style and Impact
Major League DJz are known for their energetic dance tracks that blend kwaito, Amapiano, and other Afrobeat genres with American hip-hop. Their constant sonic evolution has positioned them ahead of emerging dance trends, allowing them to expand their event properties from locally celebrated platforms into globally recognized cultural exports.
The twins have played a critical role in rewiring the modern musical DNA of South Africa while experimenting with elements from hip-hop, kwaito, afrobeats, and amapiano. Their success has helped popularize Amapiano globally and paved the way for other African artists to gain international recognition.
Future Aspirations
As they continue to push African dance music into new hemispheres, Major League DJz remain committed to their mission of taking African music to the world. With ongoing collaborations, new music releases, and international tours, the duo shows no signs of slowing down.
Their 2026 nomination at the Miami Electronic Dance Music Awards and continued performances at major global festivals demonstrate their enduring appeal and influence in the global electronic music scene. As ambassadors of African dance music, Bandile and Banele Mbere continue to inspire the next generation of artists and producers across the continent.