Our list of the best South African songs of the 2019 fastival season includes new singles that dropped in 2019, alongside those that were highlighted by getting the visual treatment.
The list is in no particular order.
DJ Zinhle – Umlilo (feat. Mvzzle & Rethabile)
Superstar DJ, DJ Zinhle releases a definite house hit Umlilo as her new 2019 single featuring record producer Muzzle & the vocals of Rethabile Khumalo.
TNS – Umona feat Mpumi
Ahead of the release of Madlokovu King of African House debut studio album, TNS release instant hit Umona. The song is a collaborative effort with singer Mpumi.
Semi Tee – Labantwana Ama Uber (feat. Miano & Kammu Dee)
We revisit the sleeper hit Labantwana Ama Uber performed by Semi Tee. The Amapiano recording has been a catch for fans over the past months. The song has since risen to the top of South African radio charts.
Samthing Soweto – Akulaleki ft Shasha, Kabza De Small and DJ Maphorisa
Samthing Soweto’s progress towards stardom has been calm and calculated. He started his career with The Soil, moving on to disrupt the live band scene with his solo ventures alongside his work with the now-defunct trio, The Fridge.
“Akulaleki it features Shasha. Like many other songs, I wrote it, finished it, and didn’t think much of it. DJ Maphorisa took the song out to Durban July, played it out there, and he was like it’s a good song. [The Amapiano deejay] Stokie from Soweto heard it, and told Maphorisa that it’s the one. He broke it in Soweto, played it on all his sets. Maphorisa leaked the song two weeks before it came out, just to test. Crowds went crazy. Twitter and Instagram went nuts. We dropped it on Apple Music, and it was number 1. It’s a love song that connects love and partying, and this country loves that.”
Master KG – Jerusalem ft Nomcebo Zikode
Master KG – Jerusalem ft. Nomcebo. Jerusalem is a new song performed by record producer Master KG. The song has been in the pipeline for some time but only made way into the internet. Jerusalem features singer Nomcebo who recently helped DJ Ganyani score a hit with Emazulwini
DJ Tira – Thank You Mr DJ (feat. Joocy)
Thank You Mr Dj is a single by Dj Tira that is taken from his debut album titled IKHENANI. Label exec and premium disc jockey DJ Tira returns with another hit Gqom cut tagged Thank You Mr DJ. Tira joins long list of global DJs to title a song Thank You Mr DJ.
Jobe London & Mphow69 – Sukendleleni (feat. Kamo Manje)
Jobe London and Mphow 69 finally drop their SMASH hit single Sukendleleni following the song achieving Gold Status!! The song has been in the South African top 10 Streaming Charts for the past 5 Months and doesn’t show signs of slowing down anytime soon.
Tshego – No Ties ft King Monada
After a blistering EP and a slew of great tracks like “Garden” and “Hennessy”, Tshego steps into his own with a distinct, full-length take on R&B and hip-hop. Pink Panther, with production assisted by Alie Keys and Gemini Major, boasts the smash hit “No Ties”—a lilting party track with King Monada. The Mafikeng-repping singer/rapper/producer is complemented by guests like Riky Rick, Kwesta and Tellaman.
Sithelo – Forever (feat. Skyewanda)
Sithelo – Forever ft. Skyewanda. Kotin Records presents a radio friendly afro house music titled Forever performed by Sithelo featuring the sonic vocals of Skye Wanda.
Sun-El Musician – Into Ingawe ft Ami Faku
Music producer Sun-El Musician returns to cause more havoc following the success of his debut Africa To The World. The EL World front man linked up with Vth Season’s vocalist Ami Faku for his new single tagged Into Ingawe.
Shasha – Tender Love ft DJ Maphorisa & Kabza De Small
The Zim-born vocal powerhouse serves the perfect amapiano flavour. Here’s the official single and full song titled Tender Love performed by Amapiano sensation Sha Sha. The song Tender Love has appeared on several mixes performed by DJ Maphorisa and Kabza De Small who are both featured on the song taken off the Blossom EP performed by Sha Sha.
Blaq Diamond – Ibhanoyi
Virgo Deep – Vula Vala ft Nokwazi
Dj Maphorisa & Kabza De Small – Amantombazane ft Samthing Soweto
Mthunzi – Insimbi ft Sun-El Musician