Top South African songs of all time

10 tracks to feel those South African vibes

South Africas social mindset is heavily shaped by race, so it comes as no surprise that this also spills over into their music scene. European settlement in Africa has left a deep imprint on several African countries, but none holds more true than in South Africas case. As this rich and ever-developing culture embraces all races found in South Africa, you get a beautiful mix of different sounds and rhythms.

1. Hugh Masekela Dont Go Lose It Baby

When you lose you booze and when you booze you lose and then you wonder why you lose your shoes.

Fact: Since 1954, Masekela played music that protested apartheid, slavery, government and spoke of the hardships that many faced. Today, he is still regarded among the worlds finest jazz practitioners.

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2. Miriam Maekba Click Song [Qongqothwane]

Igqira lendlela nguqo ngqothwane.

Fact: In the 1960s, she was the first African artist to popularize African music worldwide, thus giving her the nickname Mama Africa. She campaigned against the South African system of apartheid, to which the South African government responded by revoking her passport, citizenship and right of return in 1963. She didnt go back home until 1990 when the apartheid system was abolished.

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3. Jeremy Loops Down South

But I wanted you to stay and I didnt want to go, I didnt take it away from you.

Fact: He is a modern day one-man folk band. He mixes guitar, ukulele, harmonica and beatbox skills, along with echos and distortion units, that leave you literally awe-struck.

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4. Ladysmith Black Mambazo The Lion Sleeps Tonight

In the jungle, the mighty jungle, the lion sleeps tonight.

Fact: Ladysmith Black Mambazo is a famous proponent of the Acapella or Isicathamiya genre. Its particularly Zulu style; an individual voice leading a harmony. The song was originally sung in Zulu with the title Mbube.

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5. Prophets of Da City Never Again

Oh, excellent! Finally a black president to represent.

Fact: Theyre credited with the rise of a uniquely local music style called kwaito. In the mid-90s, they brought hip-hop to mainstream, as before it was a genre considered to be an underground movement, whose fans were of Cape Towns lower class.

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6. IFani Milli

Triple long days just to make my money double up.

Fact: Before hitting the music scene, he received an honors degree in Computer Engineering and tried his hand in Geology. You can follow him on Twitter, @iFani_Haymani, which he is extremely active on.

Listen here.

7. Lucky Dube Respect

I give love to those who gimme love, love those who gimme war.

Fact: He was a symbol of the new South Africa and was gunned down in 2007, in a senseless carjacking. Rest in peace Lucky Dube!

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8. Die Antwoord I Fink U Freeky

Pump up your sneakers, God se Jesus. Kyk wies rapping, lekker to the drum.

Fact: Hands down one of my all time favorite bands! They mix techno beats, with other eclectic rhythms and rap in a mix of Afrikaans and English.

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9. Mi Casa, Jika

The way you move your body makes me say, Eish.

Fact: Jika means to turn in IsiZulu and Eish is a popular word in South Africa to express anything from horror to excitement and everything in between.

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10. Zakes Bantwini ft. J Martins Ifunaya

The things you do, make me lose my cool, when youre around.

Fact: This song was made in collaboration with Nigerian singer-songwriter J Martins. This is part of an increasing trend of having cross-country collaborations. Ifunaya is an Igbo word [a language spoken in Nigeria] meaning love.

Listen here.

Image by Christian Senger, Flickr / Creative Commons

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