South Africa is a melting pot of cultures, take for instance the fact that South Africa has twelve official languages (Ndebele, Pedi, Sotho, Swazi, Tsonga, Tswana, Venda, Afrikaans, South African, Sign Language, Xhosa, Zulu, and English), and over twenty recognised unofficial languages. It’s the birthplace to Kwaito music trailblazers M’Du and Arthur Mafokate, and has a world-famous legacy of SA jazz from the likes of Hugh Masekela and Abdullah Ibrahim.
Today considered Africa’s largest economy, it’s home to the world’s fastest-growing music genres – amapiano – and the nation’s growing dance music scene is transforming it into a global player on the electronic music scene (see Sun-El Musician, Black Coffee, etc.), so watch this space.
Here’s a taster of some of the best new music.
Amaqatha Amancane —The Joy
From their first videos posted on Instagram singing from their school classroom in rural Hammarsdale to performing with Doja Cat at Coachella, the past few years have been a whirlwind for a capella quintet The Joy. It’s thanks to their viral traction, that they were were scouted by British record produer Two Inch Punch (aka Ben Ash) who, with the backing of a new label deal with Transgressive Records, brought them to the legendary Church recording studios in London to record their debut album. Their self-titled release is proceeded by single Amaqatha Amancane, a radiant a capella sound bath. As the cold nights draw in, their album is the warm and joyful remedy you need.
Amalanga — Mas Musiq feat. Lawd Weezy, DJ Maphorisa, TO Starquality, Chley, Kabza De Small
Taken from his new album Lane Yam, Mas Musiq dropped his new album at the end of August. A slick and vibey track, Amalanga comes in at just under seven minutes, but it’s endlessly listenable groove means they could’ve easily made it longer. Undoubted leaders of the amapiano scene, DJ Maphorisa and Kabza de Small (AKA The Scorpion Kings) feature on the track. They are surely one of the most hardworking duos out there, as they are seemingly everywhere at the moment and lending their talents to every big release.
Carina —Danny Smoke
The Afrikaans country music tradition stems from a curious blend of Dutch folk and U.S. country (think further towards the Florida Georgia Line end of the spectrum over Kasey Musgraves…). Danny Smoke’s latest single does not hold back. It’s a weighty slice of country cheesy, ready-made for the radio A-list. All major chords and punchy basslines, Danny invites his sweetheart to dance. Edgy? No. Cool? No. Irresistibly catchy and danceable? You bet.
Thakzin, Hyenah, Simmy — Ithuba – Thakzin perspective
Johannesburg-based producer Thakzin is at the forefront of South Africa’s latest house music revolution, 3-step. The new style draws on Afro house grooves and amapiano log drums, with a three-kick-drum rhythm (hence the name). Thakzin teams up fellow producer Hyenah and singer Simmy for Ithuba EP, where the producers take turns to reimagine the tracks from their own ‘perspective’ using their speciality production styles (for Hyenah, it’s his talent for afro-house beats). Ithuba EP is a soulful and breezy record, however Thakzin’s production comes out on top for his light touch and innovative style.
