DJ SMallz ZEP Lyrics Meaning and Explanation, ZEP Lyrics Meaning Breakdown

“ZEP” is a 2025 Amapiano track by South African producer DJ Smallz, in collaboration with ZinedinexSguche and 031choppa, featuring Uncool MC.

Released in early December 2025, it quickly became a viral hit, especially on social media, with a popular dance challenge that even attracted international attention (e.g., American singer Ciara participated). Amapiano is a South African house music genre known for its log drum beats, piano melodies, and festive, party vibes—perfect for the December holiday season in South Africa.

The lyrics are mostly in isiZulu (a widely spoken South African language), mixed with some English and slang. The song is highly repetitive, built around demands for money during the festive period, plans to party, and the catchy, onomatopoeic hook “Zep, zep, zep” (likely just a fun, energetic chant/sound effect with no deep literal meaning—similar to ad-libs in dance tracks to hype the crowd).

READ THE LYRICS: DJ Smallz – ZEP Lyrics

Key Lyrics Breakdown and Translation/Explanation

Intro/Verse Part (repeated often):

  • “Eh baba khip’imali Udecember manje baba Khip’imali baba”

    Translation/Meaning: “Hey dad/friend, take out the money/pay up. It’s December now, Dad. Pay up, dad.”

    This is a playful (or cheeky) demand for money. In South Africa, December is “festive season”—summer holidays, Christmas (Dec 25), parties, and people often get year-end bonuses or “13th cheques.” “Baba” is affectionate slang for “dad” or “guy/bro.” “Khip’imali” means “take out money” (like from your pocket/wallet). The singer is pressuring someone (maybe a stingy friend or family member) to contribute cash for outings.

  • “Lendaba yakho yekuthi u be u ngame Ayisebenzi baba”

    Meaning: “Your story that you’re broke/with me doesn’t work, dad.”

    Dismissing excuses like “I’m broke” or “I don’t have money.”

  • “Sifuna kuye eblanco baba Sifuna ukuya enovo Sifuna ukuyo bona abantu baba”

    Meaning: “We want to go to Blanco (club/spot), dad. We want to go to Novo. We want to go see the people.”

    Referring to popular nightlife spots (e.g., Blanco and Novo are likely clubs or venues in South Africa). The vibe is: Let’s go out, party, and socialize— but we need money for that!

  • “(Awung’tsheli lokho)”

    Meaning: “Don’t tell me that” (rejecting excuses).

Chorus/Hook:

  • “Ngithola nge Friday yengey 25 Wonke umuntu ugolile sonke siphethe imali”

    Meaning: “I get paid on Friday the 25th. Everyone is ‘golile’ (slang for dressed up/fresh/looking good), we’re all holding money.”

    Many South Africans get paid on or around the 25th. “Ugolile” means looking sharp, ready to hit the town.

  • “Ungenzani? Ungenzi ne plan Thina siyi skelem, thina sifuna imali”

    Meaning: “What are you doing? Don’t even make a plan (to join). We’re skelem (slang for thugs/cool guys/hustlers), we want money.”

    “Skelem” is township slang for street-smart guys who are out for fun/money. Basically: If you’re not contributing cash, don’t bother coming.

The massive repeated “Zep, zep, zep” section is the infectious core—it’s a hype chant, probably mimicking a sound or just pure energy to drive the dance. Lines like “Ungitshela ngama zep” mean “You’re telling me about zeps,” and “Awfuni ukukhip’imali” means “You don’t want to pay up,” followed by “Asambe” (“Let’s go”).

Overall Theme

“ZEP” captures the festive December hustle in South African township/youth culture: Everyone’s excited for holidays, getting paid, dressing up, clubbing, and partying—but someone’s always being stingy with cash. It’s humorous, relatable pressure on friends/family to “khip’imali” (shell out) so the group can enjoy Blanco, Novo, or wherever. No deep social commentary; it’s pure party anthem vibes—demanding money to fund the fun, rejecting broke excuses, and hyping the crowd with “zep zep zep.”