Year in, year out, South African artists continue to fight for their rightful place within the global music landscape\u2014and 2023 hasn\u2019t been an exception. In February, Wouter Kellerman, Nomcebo Zikode and Zakes Bantwini walked away with Grammy trophies, and the globe-trotting Black Coffee, a long with large list of other Afro-tech DJs, are regularly touring abroad. Artists constantly find creative ways to express themselves and push boundaries by fusing elements of different genres, resulting in captivating styles and songs.<\/p>\n
Check out our picks for The Best South African Songs of 2023 So Far below and stay updated on the latest South African music with our monthly Best South African Right Now column.<\/p>\n
Inkabi Zezwe “Umbayimbayi”<\/p>\n
This year, two musical heavyweights, Sjava and Big Zulu joined their powers to form Inkabi Zezwe. Their debut single as a duo, \u201cUmbayimbayi,\u201d became an instant hit and chart-topper. Within a few months after release, the thumper has achieved multi-platinum status. In May, Inkabi Zezwe also put out their collaborative album Ukhamba.<\/p>\n
AKA & KDDO “Company”<\/p>\n
Legendary musician AKA tragically passed away earlier this year while preparing to release his LP, Mass Country. The KDDO-assisted \u201cCompany,\u201d dropped a few days after his untimely loss as the album\u2019s lead single. The song has been well received by his fans, known as The Megacy, and the general public, proving that the artist may no longer be with us physically but his music will live forever.<\/p>\n
2Point1 “Stimela” ft, Ntate Stunna & Nthabi Sings<\/p>\n
When producer duo 2Point1 released their track \u201cStimela” late last year, it quickly started gaining traction on TikTok. To capitalize on the hype, the duo put out a disco-era-inspired music video in January , shot and directed by Toolz Films, and a reworked version of the song.<\/p>\n
Sjava, Q Twins & Mzukulu “Isoka”<\/p>\n
In late January, esteemed musician Sjava shared his third full-length project, Isibuko, his most introspective work yet. The album\u2019s lead single, \u201cIsoka\u201d is an Afropop record, which features the duo Q Twins and Maskandi artist Mzulukulu and has the artists take turns to express how a lady loves whoever she loves. The enchanting track got nominated for Best Collaboration and Song Of The Year at this year\u2019s Metro FM Music Awards.<\/p>\n
Loatinover Pounds “Sosh Plata (Remix)” ft. 25K & Thapelo Ghutra<\/p>\n
Rap newcomer Loatinover Pounds is having a moment. The MC has struck gold with his breakout single \u201cSosh Plata\u201d and its accompanying remix. The 25K and Thapelo Ghutra-assisted re-up of the viral track is a contender for this year\u2019s best hip-hop song of the year.<\/p>\n
Lwah Ndlunkulu “Ngiyeza”<\/p>\n
Inkabi Records\u2019 Lwah Ndlunkulu ushered the year with the heart-warming ballad \u201cNgiyeza.\u201d On the track, the rising singer-songwriter expresses her undying love for her romantic partner and her relentless wish for them to stay together. Much like her previous single, \u201ciThuba,\u201d the song is produced by and has additional vocals from her label mates Xowla (Stallion) and Siya Ntuli.<\/p>\n
Nomfundo Moh “Amalobolo” ft. Big Zulu<\/p>\n
Prolific songstress Nomfuno Moh geared up for the release of her sophomore album, Ugcobo, with a lead single titled \u201cAmalobolo.\u201d The Big Zulu-assisted song sees Nomfundo express her dissatisfaction with a romantic partner who has been stalling to pay lobola (dowry) and take her hand in marriage. The accompanying music video, directed by Slowman, further conveys this message with 80s-era-inspired visuals.<\/p>\n
Flow Jones Jr. “Pramis, Swuh” ft. Blxckie, Maglera Doe Boy<\/p>\n
Burgeoning rapper Flow Jones Jr. linked up with Blxckie and Maglera Doe Boy on his single \u201cPramis, Swuh.\u201d Flow Jones and Blxckie trade trap-inspired bars throughout the song while setting the pace for Maglera to deliver yet another standout verse. Flow Jones Jr. caught the mass\u2019 attention through a string of singles and a show-stopping performance on DJ Sliqe\u2019s 2022 banger \u201cSta Soft.\u201d<\/p>\n
Tyla “Been Thinking”<\/p>\n
After a successful breakout in 2022, Senior Oat returned this year with a new single aptly titled \u201cIt Is Well.\u201d The track follows his proven hit-making signature of blending deep house instrumentals with spiritual-themed vocals and messaging, as shown previously on the widely popular \u201cAll In You\u201d and \u201cGive Me Jesus.\u201d<\/p>\n
Artwork Sounds x Bee Bar \u201cAwesome God\u201d ft. Kabza De Small<\/p>\n
This year, house duo Artwork Sounds released the second edition of their album series, The Gospel According To Artwork Sounds II. The project\u2019s lead single, \u201cAwesome God,\u201d featuring Bee Bar and Kabza De Small, melds deep house and amapiano elements and varnishes the soulful instrumental with a sample of Michael W Smith\u2019s gospel classic \u201cAwesome God\u201d \u2014 a recurring style that reverberates on most of the first disc of the two-part LP.<\/p>\n
Casswell P & Master KG “Mangihlale” ft. Lwami<\/p>\n
Master KG\u2019s Wanitwa Mos imprint is a gift that keeps giving. Casswell P, an artist signed to the label, caught a slow burner with \u201cMangihlale\u201d alongside vocalist Lwami and his stable boss. Stylistically, the song lies within the hit-proven signature sound of Wanitwa Mos.<\/p>\n
Sykes “Sisekakeni Babies” ft. Skillz Musiq & RudeBoyz
\nAfter being a guest feature on a handful of house tracks since 2020, Sykes is finally having a breakthrough as a lead artist. The burgeoning vocalist\u2019s debut official single, \u201cSisekakeni Babies,\u201d produced by Skillz and Rude Boyz put him on the map when its snippet went viral on social media.<\/p>\n
Atmos Blaq “Kwa Mama”<\/p>\n
In April, rising producer\/DJ Atmos Blaq released his long-awaited thumping single \u201cKwaMama\u201d on Stay True Sounds. The record blends elements of Afrotech and amapiano and pioneers a style dubbed \u20183 step\u2019, which Atmos Blaq is spearheading with Thakzin. The song has already gained significant support from some big names within the Afro House scene, like Kitty Amor, DJ Kent, and Canadian record producer Kaytranada.<\/p>\n
Lloyiso “Give A Little Kindness” ft. Edenglen High School<\/p>\n
On March 31st., talented singer\/songwriter Lloyiso shared his debut EP, Seasons. \u201c Give A Little Kindness\u201d is just about giving empathy to yourself, and not always beating yourself down for things that you cannot control, and appreciating that you’re going to get through things,\u201d the vocalist shared on the project liner notes. The Republic Records signee displays this vulnerability throughout the 9-track project as he sings his lungs out.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Featuring Loatinover Pounds, Inkabi Zezwe, AKA, Point1, Nomfundo Moh, Lwah Ndlunkulu and many more.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":12963,"featured_media":31893,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[12,31],"tags":[7,14,32],"class_list":{"0":"post-31896","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