Welcome to a sonic journey through the freshest beats and melodies of January and February 2024 – this compilation showcases the diverse talents shaping the musical landscape. Let’s dive into the captivating rhythms and harmonies that have defined the start of the year, promising a feast for every musical taste.
JANUARY
Alita Limona “Grandpa’s Closet”
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“The idea for the EP started out as a side project while I was working on my debut album. I got lost in browsing through old jazz vinyls and absolutely fell in love with the sound and feeling they gave me. And I love Vinyl Crackles. Makes me want to cuddle up in a blanket and sit next to a fireplace with a good-smelling book. Working on it made me nostalgic and think of my grandfather a lot. I imagined the life he might have had when he was young. I pictured him as an actor of those old movies dressed in handsome vintage clothes hanging out in underground jazz clubs. I improvised vocals on some of the tracks and intuitively felt like singing them in the golden 20s style like Lana del Rey does. The songs are about love and the beauty of momentum before the speed and business of digital times”, says Alita Limona.
DJ Stoks x Soa Mattrix x Mel Muziq x Happy Jazzman “Nguwe”
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“What a great way to start the year, and I think I wanted it to be a great start to 2024 for the listeners too. Whether you’ve been a fan over the years or you’re hearing about me for the first time, I think this mix has something everyone can look forward to. And there’s still more coming”, says DJ Stoks.
Sbu Malawyer “Ngempela”
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“It is important as an artist to evolve with time, to keep the brand relevant. In my 25 years in the industry, I’ve learned the music business from productions, writing, image conduct, and the importance of discipline. To be in the game for this long made me understand that it does not matter how difficult things are, keep your head up without doubting yourself. Amapiano uses a lock drum and Kwaito uses a normal drum, but the tempo and the lyrics sound the same. I always describe Amapiano as an evolution of Kwaito”, says Sbu Malawyer.
Pepsin x C-Zwe “Owami”
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“We hope people will receive the song positively purely because it’s a positive song that seeks to promote, inspire and celebrate love and marriage in an African way”. “We are versatile global creatives who can blend sounds to create our own. We can’t wait for the world to hear this” shares Pepsin and C-Zwe.
DJ Lag x Mr Nation Thingz “Hade Boss”
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According to Mr Nation Thingz, “‘Hade Boss’ is about talking to his boss, telling him that he wants his annual bonus now that it’s December because he wants to go party and have fun. He wants to experience the summertime, and play with the other kids”.
The Journalist x Gino Brown “Khethile”
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“Khethile is a very important song not just for me but for everyone who has been forced to start from scratch due to the COVID-19 pandemic, 2020 was a very challenging year for many people and Khethile is a song about making a choice to be okay and focus on your dreams even though the world is crumbling right under your feet” says The Journalist. “I was pleasantly surprised to see the heartwarming videos of ordinary people on TikTok use the song to motivate themselves to push harder, this is the exact same reason why we made the tune” he adds.
DBN Gogo “Click Bait”
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Zulo x Flow Jones Jr. “Jol”
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“If I was going to do a song for the streets, I wanted it to be a little unconventional for what we’re used to,” ZULO declares, “I wanted to put something in there that feels very 2000s hip-hop, something amapiano, while still keeping it current and making sure it sounds like home.”
CKay “MYSTERIOUS LOVE” And “IS IT YOU?
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As CKay aptly puts it: “Love Nwantiti went viral 2 years after release, and my life changed in the blink of an eye. I was travelling the world, promoting and performing my music for 2 years straight. I got to a point of physical, mental, and emotional exhaustion, so I had to take a break. But I’m back and better with my best work yet.” He further adds, “I decided to release two singles to give my fans a listening experience, not just a song. After my silence, it was only right. I’ve encountered love on so many levels and dimensions, so most of my music is about love. This is no exception.”
Una Rams x J-Smash x Given Da Chief “Ndo Livhuwa”
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FEBRUARY
Talis “Mhala Mhlala”
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K.O “SWave Freestyle”
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Argento Dust x Drega x Nana Atta x Skye Wanda “Hello”
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“The title, Hello is symbolic of a loss of network connection between two people When confronted by attempts to reconnect, the protagonist playfully uses the metaphor of a poor network connection, symbolizing the emotional detachment and unavailability to those who once held sway. Speaking about the inspiration behind the single, Argento Dust shares, “The song Hello is a reflection of the moment when you recognize your own value and choose not to be used or hurt anymore. It’s about moving on from situations that no longer serve you and creating a boundary for your own well-being.”
Khaid x Gyakie “Run Away”
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Gyakie said, “Thrilled to be a part of this emotional journey with Khaid! ‘Run Away’ is more than just a song; it’s a raw and authentic expression of love’s imperfect journey. Join us as we unravel the complexities of love, redemption, and the enduring power of heartfelt confessions.
Kingdmusic “Kundi”
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Speaking about the song, Kingdmusic shared, “Kundi is not just a song; it’s a celebration of the conquering power of love. It’s a testament to the beauty of commitment and the joy of building a life with someone special. I am thrilled to share this musical journey with my fans and hope that Kundi becomes a soundtrack for lovers around the world.”
The Soil “Reimagined”
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“We are thrilled to be back doing what we love most – sharing our music with our incredible fans,” says a spokesperson for The Soil. “With our new vocalist adding a fresh dimension to our sound, we can’t wait to hit the stage and create unforgettable memories together.”
Big Star Johnson “Caesar”
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“Caesar is about the relationship I have with my father, also understanding him now that I’ve become a father and resolving a lot of trauma through music and finding internal healing,” shares Bigstar Johnson.
Lady Zamar “Rainbow”
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Dr Skaro “Akena Selo”
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Dr Skaro explained that “there is nothing tougher than not having money and wanting to be there for those who are close to you. Akena Selo is here to help people remember that the tough times will not last, and you can get through.”
Peter Ngqibs x Kyle Deutsch “I Miss You”
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“Kyle and I connected when I was in South Africa in August. He’s a great guy with good energy and cares deeply about the music he is involved in,” says Peter Ngqibs.
ODO “Asa”
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Una Rams “ilikeyou”
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Filah Lah Lah “Call Me”
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2Lee Stark “Incomplete”
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2Lee Stark said this about his single “This one is for the lovers. For anyone that’s too afraid to be honest about relationship losses, daring them to reflect and hope on love lost.” He went on to say, “Incomplete drops this Friday, and is for you – hope it brings you healing and some comfort.”
Arcade Saiyans “Yule”
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Nes Mburu, whose soulful vocals add an extra layer of depth to the track, shared his enthusiasm for the project saying, “I am thrilled to be a part of ‘Yule.’ It’s a song that resonates with me on a personal level, and I believe it will resonate with listeners around the world. Collaborating with Arcade Saiyans has been a fantastic journey, and I can’t wait for everyone to hear the result.”
Liboi “Yule”
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“Yule delves into the realms of love and affection, capturing the essence of a crush or a deep desire to be with someone who resonates as your soulmate. It’s an expressive proclamation of feelings, acknowledging the heart yearns for what it wants, and the pursuit lies in making it work”, shares Liboi.
K.O “Y.O.U”
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K.O expressed his excitement, stating, “I drew a lot from old SA Afropop/jazz classics by Hugh Masekela, Jabu Khanyile, Robbie Malinga and the likes. I’ve grown to grasp why those old classics were so impactful. Much like those guys I’m not a singer per se but their carefree melodic performances on songs is a testament to true SA temperament and culture. Y.O.U is my way of paying homage to them and taking a page from their genius”.
Dawda “Wine”
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“I’ve been writing and producing songs for artists from all over the world. When I decided to release my music, I wanted to make sure that I brought across how proud I am of my African heritage and how influential African music has been for me. I’m very excited to bridge my experience to contribute to and get creative with the music coming out of there”, Dawda said.
Kiddo “Saphalaza”
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Kiddo CSA expressed his enthusiasm for the impending release: “I take pride in being part of those who remind us that SA Hip-Hop is alive and thriving. ‘Saphalaza’ is a testament to my passion for the genre and my commitment to delivering music that resonates with both my loyal supporters and newcomers alike.”
Kayode “KAY KAY”
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On recording the song Kayode shares, “I made this song in Ghana, it was my first time there. I had the beat playing all through the flight and I had gotten the entire vibe of the song. As soon as we landed and setup, I recorded the entire thing. Everything I said in the song was exactly how I was feeling.”
Mario Vybez “Ngiyakuthanda”
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“I am beyond excited to share my debut single, ‘Ngiyakuthanda,’ with the world,” said Mario Vybez. “Music has always been my passion, and it is an incredible honour to bring my art to life. I poured my heart and soul into this song, and I hope it resonates with listeners. I invite everyone to join me on this incredible journey by subscribing to my channels”, says Mario Vybez.
Badyloop “Blessings 2 God”
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Una Rams “so in love”
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“Where words fail me, songs will succeed. I hope this collection of songs help you to express your feelings to a loved one this Valentine’s Day, as it has for me,” shares Una Rams.
Amarii “state of the heart”
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“To be honest, I came up with this song in one session. Most of the time that’s how I come up with the catchiest songs because I don’t really think about it too much,” Amarii explains. “With umbrella, I really just punched it in line by line. I had made the beat as an experiment just to see if I could make some good drill music out of a guitar sample. As soon as I had the whole arrangement done, I literally mumbled a bunch of melodies and just put words to all the melodies I liked,” says Amarii.
Muzi “uMuzi Remix Package”
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Nyota Parker “MIDST”
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Venom x Shishiliza x Yumbs x Ch’cco x Nomfundo Moh x Baby S.O.N “Flight Ya Hoseng”
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When talking about the creative process of ‘Flight Ya Hoseng’, Shishiliza shared: “After the success of ‘Sondela’ we decided to get in studio with Yumbs again to work on a new hit. We started working on the beat of ‘Flight Ya Hoseng’ in the third quarter of 2022. Ch’cco later recorded the hook December 2022. We hit a snag figuring out our next moves for the song. Eventually, Baby S.O.N. recorded two verses, but we ended up sticking with just one. Even then, the song still felt kinda empty. We wanted to have more of an African feel to the song so we got Stacy to play some guitar, Baby S.O.N to record an intro and had this girl that was hanging around the studio ululate on the track. That filled it up nicely, and we were pretty happy with how it sounded. We thought we were done with the song till Mpilo, Nomfundo Moh’s manager, hit me up. He knew this record was going to be a big one and suggested that we add Nomfundo. She came by the same day and laid down her verse. It’s been a long journey to get to the final version which we are extremely proud of.”
Rashid Kay x AB Crazy “Brotherhood”
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Joeboy “Osadebe”
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“Osadebe pretty much describes me and how I like to live my life. I know there’s this expectation of celebrities to live loud and be in the media for whatever reason to stay relevant but I don’t believe in that. All I want is to make music, spend time with family, friends and fans that genuinely care about me and my art. No shade to other celebs or people that are about that loud life but I don’t believe there’s a need for the long talk and theatrics, success is the biggest and loudest action”, says Joeboy.
Mellow & Sleazy x TManXpress “Ukhathele”
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Donald “Take Me To My Love”
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DJ Kaygo “Love Pack”
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“These songs are not just about love; they’re about the rollercoaster of emotions that come with it,” says DJ Kaygo. “I wanted to create music that people could connect with on a personal level, and I believe ‘Love Pack’ achieves that.
Sarmyfire x Naimah x Venus Raps x S’BO GYRE “Scatta”
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Naimah explains, “Scatta is a celebration of love, romance, and the thrill of taking a chance on romance without hesitation.”
Duo Reed x Stixx “Uhuru”
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Big Yasa “Wapoa SZN”
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“Wapoa is me exploring another side of my sound and personality. There will be more melody and emotion, and it’s only right that we share this labour of love during the season of love because I’m dedicating this piece of art to the ladies” Big Yasa mentions.
Bakhita “DECAY-ATTACK-RELEASE”
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“This track is about my recalibration and rejuvenation as a musician, the acceptance and rebirth that comes after death. It is an extension of my growth and a reflection of the endless process of raw creation that is yet to come. My new era will solely showcase music that I have had a part producing as well”, says Bakhita.
Jabulile Majola x Yoav “Nyoni Yami”
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As Yoav explains, “Throughout the process of writing this record, it felt like we were going through a collective grief. Our intention was to create something healing and nourishing, and in the process, we experienced healing ourselves”.
Sarah Téibo “All Cleared”
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“Everything really came to a head on the 17th of April 2023 when I received what is probably the most dreaded news anyone could ever be handed – ‘you have thyroid cancer’. I went down a real mental spiral, as I struggled to accept the diagnosis…’ Sarah recounts on a recent blog post where she talks about her experience and journey to recovery at length.
Nobuhle “Ukhona”
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Rowlene “Moments In Between”
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Platform x Peipper x Gino Mella x Soge Culebra xMarioo “Ananipenda”
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Eli Jae “All Over”
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Ricky Tyler “Another Episode”
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Ricky Tyler wrote to his followers when announcing the new single, “It’s my pleasure to announce my new release ‘Another Episode’📺 officially dropping next week, featuring one of the greatest to ever do it, Bien, the countdown to my sophomore release #H2BA has kicked off, and I just want to say a massive thank you for all your patience and support. Can’t wait for you to hear it!”
Dumomi The Jig “Butterfly”
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Shaan “Can’t Help It”
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Motlanalo Rammalo “Goya Goile”
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“The song is a continuation of my hit song Rato Lakawhich embraces love, so I see everyone trying to discourage people to be in love with the fear of not wanting to be heartbroken. So the song says I’m taking the trust to love you because my feelings are stronger than fear. Goya Goile means please love me forever” Motlanalo explains.
Babylonl “Wanted”
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“The song wanted was inspired by my city port harcourt” Babylonl shared.
THE END!
Let us know which releases you dig!
Featured Image Source(s): Supplied
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