Africa shares an ancient bond with music that has remained intact from the worst times of the continent\u2019s history to the best. Therefore, it is no surprise that some of the most popular bands in history came into being in one of its countries. South Africa has been the birthplace of some of one of the most globally acclaimed bands and solo artists who have achieved overwhelming success in their lives.<\/p>\n
Below are some of the most popular South African bands that have won hearts worldwide.<\/p>\n
Mafikizolo<\/p>\n
One of the key names among the most famous South African bands, Mafikizolo was formed in the year 1997 by Tebogo Benedict Madingoane, Theo Kgosinkwe, and Nhlanhla Nciza and became popular because of its kwaito style of music. However, in 2004, the band was struck with tragedy when Tebogo Madingoane was killed in a road rage shooting. Some of the hit singles by the band include \u2018Ndihamba Nawe kuphela\u2019, \u2018Kwela Kwela\u2019, \u2018Khona\u2019, \u2018Mafikizolo: Love Potion\u2019, \u2018Sibongile\u2019, and \u2018Udakwa Njalo\u2019.<\/p>\n
Die Antwoord<\/p>\n
One of the most recognized bands in the country, Die Antwoord became extremely popular among lovers of hip-hop after its formation in 2008 in Cape Town by the duo Watkin Tudor \u201cNinja\u201d Jones and Anri \u201cYolandi Visser\u201d du Toit. Other members include HITEK5000 and Lil2Hood. Centered around the South African counterculture movement known as \u2018zef\u2019, their first album \u2018$O$\u2019 (2009) was a huge success, especially the single \u2018Enter the Ninja\u2019 which helped them get their deal with Interscope Records. Their popular albums include \u2018Ten$ion\u2019, \u2018Donker Mag\u2019, and \u2018House of Zef\u2019, among others.<\/p>\n
Freshly Ground<\/p>\n
Undeniable is one of the biggest South African bands who rose to worldwide fame with their music, and was also featured in the 2010 Fifa World Cup theme song \u2018Waka Waka (This Time for Africa)\u2019 by Shakira. The band formed in 2002 included a diverse range of music artists from South Africa, Mozambique, and Zimbabwe. Some of their most popular songs include those like \u2018Doo Be Doo\u2019 ( which became the most-played South African song of 2005), \u2018Nomvula (After the Rain)\u2019, Father Please, and Manyana.<\/p>\n
Four Jacks and a Jill<\/p>\n
The band came into existence in 1964 and the original members included Clive Harding, Glenys Lynne Mynott\/Harding, Keith Andrews, Tony Hughes\/Rouse, and Bruce Bark, and their debut song was released in November 1965. They rose to fame with the single \u2018Master Jack\u2019. After going through a series of member changes, the band was finally disbanded in 1983. It was revived in the year 2000 and has many new members. Some of their most popular albums include \u2018Jimmy Come Lately\u2019, \u2018Master Jack\u2019, and \u2018Listen! Listen!\u2019, among others.<\/p>\n
The Narrow<\/p>\n
Formed in 2002 by South African musicians Emile, Sid, Nelius de Lange, and Jow Feldtmann, the band received widespread critical acclaim for their debut album \u2018Self Conscious\u2019. Since its formation, the band became known for its intense and energetic performances, and has released multiple rock albums, some of the most popular ones being \u2018Dream of Perelandra\u2019, \u2018You Don\u2019t Get to Quit\u2019, and \u2018Travellers\u2019.<\/p>\n
Rabbitt<\/p>\n
Rabbitt evolved in 1969 from a previous band known by the name The Conglomeration, and the members included Trevor Rabin, Neil Cloud, Duncan Faure, and Ronnie Robot. Their debut single, released in 1972, which was a cover of \u2018Locomotive Breath\u2019 became an instant hit. Soon the members went their separate ways but came together once again in 1974, working hard till they became global sensations in the world of pop rock with albums like \u2018Boys Will Be Boys!\u2019 and \u2018Just A Blur\u2019. The group finally disintegrated in 1978.<\/p>\n
Ladysmith Black Mambazo<\/p>\n
Having created a new wave in the Isicathamiya and mbube music scene, the band was formed in 1960 by Joseph Shabalala, and is one of the most popular bands internationally when it comes to South African music. Over the years the band had several member changes, but retained its relevance and excellence, taking home 5 Grammys, 4 SAMAs, and a Drama Desk Award amazon others. They have released 120 popular albums, including \u2018Inala\u2019, \u2018Gift of the Tortoise\u2019, \u2018Liph\u2019 Iqiniso\u2019, \u2018In Harmony\u2019, \u2018Ilembe: Honoring Shaka Zulu\u2019.<\/p>\n
aKING<\/p>\n
Comparatively new in the set, the band was formed in 2007 in Cape Town by Hunter Kennedy and Jaco \u2018Snakehead\u2019 Venter, who were members of another rock band Fokofpolisiekar. The other members, Laudo Liebenberg, Andrew Davenport, and Hennie van Halen, joined later even though Hunter quit the band. The band has since released four albums and one LP: \u2018Dutch Courage\u2019, \u2018In The Twilight\u2019, \u2018Against All Odds\u2019, \u2018The Red Blooded Years\u2019 and \u2018Morning After\u2019.<\/p>\n
Mango Groove<\/p>\n
Formed in Johannesburg in 1984 by John Leyden, Andy Craggs, Bertrand Mouton, and \u201cBig Voice\u201d Jack Lerole, the band has built a massive reputation when it comes to Afropop, marabi, and kwela music and comprises members of diverse ethnicities. As the group evolved, only Leyden remained among the originals, as several new members joined. The band has released several singles, and 6 studio albums to date: \u2018Mango Goove\u2019, \u2018Hometalk\u2019, \u2018Mango Groove \/ Another Country\u2019, \u2018Eat a Mango\u2019, \u2018Bang the Drum\u2019, and \u2018Faces to the Sun\u2019 (their latest).<\/p>\n
African music is truly a treasure trove of musicians, be it the modern flavors or their traditional styles that have stood the test of time.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
A representative of Africa\u2019s inseparable bond with music, South Africa is a musical hot seat, having given rise to a coveted list of South African bands and solo musicians.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":12963,"featured_media":27909,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[12,31],"tags":[7,14,32],"class_list":{"0":"post-27912","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-entertainment","8":"category-music","9":"tag-apie-project","10":"tag-entertainment","11":"tag-music"},"yoast_head":"\n