[1][2] Laka finished studying at the Royal Academy of Music with Grade 8 in classical guitar, but restrictions under the Apartheid regime kept him from enrolling at the Pretoria Conservatoire.
After finishing 12th grade in 1978, he undertook formal training, eventually obtaining his license to teach music in high school in 1979.
[1] During that time, the likes of Brenda Fassie would become interested in Don's style, who would then ask if he could write, produce or perform on their records.
[1] In 2013, Don Laka received a Grammy nomination for Best World Music album for producing Hugh Masekela's Jabulani in 2013.
Laka describes kwaai-jazz as a fusion of South African music styles including kwaito, kwela and marabi with jazz to create a more a soulful sound.