The Best Southern African Songs of 2024 So Far
The first half of the year is upon us, and with that comes the need to reflect on all the bangers we’ve encountered so far. Step in and enjoy sounds from the Southern region of the continent.
Screenshot from Omali Themba’s “Mahlo a Batho” music video.
The first half of the year is upon us, and with that comes the need to reflect on what has been a musically adventurous period for Southern Africa.
Amapiano continues to dominate the region, with the biggest winner thus far being TittoM and Yuppe’s “Tshwala Bam.” Tyla might have taken the Grammy, but the conversation about her identity seems to be a thorny issue that refuses to go away, as witnessed in her Breakfast Club interview. And Doja Cat invited South Africa’s acapella group, The Joy, to her Coachella set, which sparked a conversation about whether the superstar is trying to reconnect with her musical roots.
Below, we have compiled some of the most impressive releases from the region so far. The list features artists from Lesotho, South Africa, Eswatini, Botswana and Zambia. Quite the mixed bag, dig in.
William Last KRM - “Today” ft. Lindough [Botswana]
William Last KRM’s comedic flare works wonders to expose his musical brilliance. He’s found a lane and is milking it for all it has to offer. “Today” taps into the same formula that made ‘90s acts like Dalom Kids, Matshikos and Spokes H household favorites, and the impact is magical.
Mx Blouse - “Learn to Love You” feat. Amarafleur [South Africa]
Mx Blouse gets in touch with their R&B side and enlists Amarafleur to assist. The message is a somber one; the artist finds themselves at odds, trying to navigate feelings from the spark of a new romance. Will they make it, or will they flake?
Mpho Sebina - “Tshepo” [Botswana]
“What keeps you up at night? / darling, always remember that you are a diamond light,” sings Botswana’s golden voice, Mpho Sebina, on her latest song. It’s a self-love mantra, a reclamation of her strength following loss and grief, and an assertion of her self-belief. The song is in line with Sebina’s past work, which references sonic archives from the past ( see “Lerato”). In this case, she uses the Dalom Kids’ “Ditsala Tsa Me” as inspiration, and proceeds to craft a breathtaking bop that demands repeated spins.
Marcus Harvey - “Malome” [South Africa]
Marcus Harvey eschews his boom-bap roots for an earthy, Afrobeats-flavored sound on “Malome,” his first release since being signed to Stay Low Entertainment. His pen is still sharp, and his voice is as warm and inviting as ever. Once again, the Alexandra, Johannesburg native is onto one.
Oriiginelle - “Change” with Zulu Mecca [Eswatini/South Africa]
Oriiginelle is Eswatini’s hidden treasure. The outrageously gifted lyricist links up with Zulu Mecca on what could very well be the collab of the year, rap-wise. Both emcees bring their A-game, which results in a banger that is miles away from disappointing.
Tammy Moyo - “Kelly Kelvhedhura” with Master H [Zimbabwe]
Tammy Moyo links up with Zim dancehall’s top don Master H to deliver a top shotta tune that packs all the right elements and doesn’t waste time. The effect is instant. All one has to do is step in line, ignite some fire, and revel in this truly lit moment. A scorcher, one for the books.
Shasl - “Softly” [Zimbabwe]
The Zim-based vocalist Shasl delves into matters of the heart on this one, and eloquently describes how a soft, loving, caring partnership can literally take all the pain away. She avails herself to her lover, implores them to call whenever, and states that she can see them through the facade of toughness. It’s danceable, melodic music for the lovers.
Holy Ten - “Very Tight” [Zimbabwe]
Holy Ten is part of the new wave of Zim emcees who've taken notes from earlier iterations of rap impresarios, and are now locked in as mouthpieces for their own destiny. “Very Tight” comes on the back of his sweltering Risky Life II album released in February. It's a seamless club smash that comes pre-installed with Holy Ten's unique tone and epic flow.
Omali Themba - “Mahlo A Batho” feat. Bobby Stringz [Lesotho]
Lesotho's Omali Themba crowns himself as loverboy supreme on this boom-bap-leaning headbanger. The song is about a love interest he's been chasing for a hot minute, and now gets to share a life with. He explores the joys of this newfound romance over three verses punctuated by vocalist Bobby Stringz's hook, hyping this love interest to keep making sure that heads turn regardless of where they go.
Tyla - “Jump” w/ Skillibeng & Gunna [South Africa/America/Jamaica]
“Jump” is as high-energy inventive as it is catchy and mainstream, and a worthy competitor for the cross-Atlantic linkup of the decade. Skillibeng sets it up, Gunna comes through with the delightful flow, and Tyla packs all the attitude to set dance halls around the world ablaze.
Scar - “Big Man” [Botswana]
Nowadays, Scar’s podcasting career tends to overshadow the fact that he is a great emcee. But it’s only a few years ago that he was counted among the best on the continent, an honor he shared with another hometown hero, Zeus. “Big Man”, taken from his Gaborone Son 2 EP, is a catchy, high-energy display of a rapping ability that is rare to come across in this day and age.
Usimamane - “Cheque” [South Africa]
“Cheque” is a song of manifestations, and Usimamane’s got a couple of material things he wants actualized – a cheque, fresh drip, a Benz to pull up in, a nice girl, and a big house for his mom. He’ll achieve all of these, and more if he keeps revving up on his current momentum.
Maleh - “Mmoloki” [Lesotho/South Africa]
Maleh has stayed the course and built a strong base in music. What this comes with, is a legion of dedicated followers, some who have been present from the start, and others who discovered her along the way. Her songs of praise, hope and redemption connect viscerally with audiences, and it's not uncommon to see people get teary-eyed during her live musical sermons. She is both praise poet and healer on "Mmoloki", an Afro-tinged song about finding comfort in knowing that her creator is always on her side.
Aqualaskin - “Broken Man” [Zambia]
Zambia’s Aqualaskin gets real and raw on this reflective rap joint about how loss and grief left him feeling like he’s had to rely on himself, and how that experience has left him broken and shattered in ways he could never have imagined. “It’s embedded in my scalp / pain too deep, you can never understand,” he raps while the beat massages the ears, transporting the message to the deepest confines of the heart in the process.
Mtswala-x-Shebeshxt - “Nfano Ke Mang” feat. Ssmosh, SpokoTDI, Black 2 Zero [South Africa]
Limpopo-based South African rapper Shebeshxt has courted enough controversy to last multiple lifetimes. He's found solace in music, and has been churning burners over the past two years, mostly with Naqua SA, the producer whose presence has been life-saving for the emcee whose cult-like status inspires kids and scares their parents in the same breath. “Nfano Ke Mang” locates him at a point where he's gaining nationwide buzz that could determine whether he ranks or tanks in a music industry that discards whomever it deems irrelevant or troublesome. He lost his daughter in a car accident earlier this month, and the unfortunate event has cast doubts about his career prospects. Only time will tell whether the rapper shall keep going.
ASAP Shembe - “Impilo Ka Lova” [South Africa[
“Impilo Ka Lova” speaks to the stark reality of life in a ghetto, where rampant crime continues unabated and is oftentimes seen as the only way out in a country where opportunities are rare. Shembe’s flow is a counter-balance to the contemporary sound in Mzansi rap; he’s gritty, he tests boundaries, and he insists on standing out.
Sjava - “Ngibongiseni” [South Africa]
Sjava invites us to congratulate him on all that his ancestors have done for him. The song is among the four from his re-released deluxe package from 2023’s Isibuko, and revels in the laidback alt-pop that has captivated new listeners without losing his old base.
Mumba Yachi - “Wala Wala” [Zambia]
Congolese-Zambian musician Mumba Yachi’s “Wala Wala” injects some Zamrock and updates the rapper Chef 187’s 2015 hit of the same name. It’s a song that portrays the feeling of ticking all the boxes in life, yet still falling short of achieving one’s dreams. The dread that accompanies that is a universal feeling, which is why Mumba Yachi’s rugged-at-the-edges update rings well and true in a world that keeps rejecting hope and favoring violence.
Crispy Malawi - “Uzithamanga” [South Africa]
Everything Crispy Malawi has going on right now has been the work of consistency, self-belief and a magnetism that endears people to his music. The Lilongwe native’s approach to rap can be described as super chill; he approaches flows with a relaxed attitude that allows the mind to travel. “Uzithamanga” forms a series of drops that he and his Mario Bros collective have been unleashing since the onset of 2023.
DJ Lag - “Oke Oke” feat. Jazz Alonso [South Africa/Spain]
DJ Lag is the blueprint as far as electronic music in South Africa is concerned. The Durban native has been unleashing timeless bangers for a decade, and his operation accelerates with every release. DJ Lag tests waters (“Overdue”), sticks to the formula (“Where’s Your Father”), and cross-pollinates sounds (“Drumming”). His latest drop might elevate him onto the Ibiza circuit and open up a door for him to become the only gqom progenitor blazing dancefloors at the highest level. “Oke Oke” is iconic!
Eli Njuchi - “Simpo” with Onesimus [Malawi]
Malawi’s Eli Njuchi is astoundingly talented. A pop magnet and dancehall overlord, he’s able to compose melodies that stay in your head long after the song ends. The addition of fellow artist Onesimus renders the perfect one-two performance plot that transcends genre and region. “Simpo” has all the markings of a continental hit.
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