The Best Southern African Songs Right Now

Cassper Nyovest released the highly anticipated video for his single, “Kusho Bani,” which he’d been teasing would be one of this year’s best. The video dropped around the same time tennis superstar Serena Williams hopped on the song’s challenge, further enhancing the song’s already-expansive reach.

Stix Makasana - “Hosh Mizuzu” (South Africa)

DJ Cleo is one of South Africa’s most decorated producers. He built his career in the early 2000s, producing for artists like Mzekezeke and Brown Dash while establishing a parallel, very successful solo career in the process. Stix Makasana comes from a tradition of expressive South African rappers like iFani and Pitch Black Afro, the latter of whom DJ Cleo has also worked with. “Hosh Mizuzu” is the artist’s first introduction to the music scene, and he’s coming in hot and blazing with raps inspired by life in the hood.

Nasty C - “002” (South Africa)

In a recent interview,Nasty C revealed that he’s now an independent artist, newly free from his deal with the Universal Music Group. He also admitted that his strategy to enter the American market did not work out according to plan and expressed hope that the markets he is now exploring shall yield positive results. “002” arrives ahead of the Cape Town leg of his Ivyson Tour and is a masterclass on effortlessly gliding on a beat.

Nisha Ts - “Admire Kadembo” (Zimbabwe)

Nisha Ts is one of the freshest talents in the Zimbabwean music scene. On “Admire Kadembo,” the artist displays a rare versatility as she confidently rides on the dancehall-flavored beat drenched in wailing saxophones that give the song its smooth edge.

Kintsugi - !Sooks (Eswatini)

!Sooks is Eswatini’s treasure, effortlessly exploring different textures of electronic music in his production. The award-winning artist has just released “Kintsugi,” a lush soundscape with undertones of jazz highlighted by the delayed trumpet. !Sooks travels, engages, and brings another feature to a multi-faceted scene that grows unhindered.

Shandesh & Mvzzle - “Sdudla or Slender” (South Africa)

Shandesh is a musician from the Limpopo province of South Africa, specializing in lekompo, a genre characterized by its staccato percussion, the heavy employment of synths, and its artists’ use of auto-tune. The music, popularized by the likes of Shebeshxt and Kharishma, speaks to the trials, tribulations, and joys of young people across the land. “Sdudla or Slender” is the latest in Shandesh’s growing arsenal of hits and builds upon the success of the 2024 EP, Versatile.

Feli Nandi - “Muranda” (Zimbabwe)

Feli Nandi started as a backing vocalist for Mbeu And The Mhodzi Tribe before focusing on her solo output in 2020. On “Muranda,” the singer, songwriter, and fashion designer delivers a heartfelt performance, her voice a rich, velvety texture that never falters. “Muranda” is taken from the artist’s latest album, Ndisiyei.

Grizzly - “Sheleni” feat. Lyrikal Busta & Sarnilo (Eswatini)

On “Sheleni,” Eswatini artist Grixxly delivers his own twist on the one thing we can’t live without: money. The fire spitter brings fellow artists Lyrikal Busta and Sarnilo along for the ride. The aim is not to sweat; the laid-back flows, courtesy of all three artists, make this a treasured gem transcending time.

Jae Cash - “Push To Start” feat. William Last KRM (Zambia)

“Push To Start” grips you from the first listen, drags you for its entire duration, and refuses to leave. A Southern African link-up of majestic proportions finds Zambia’s lyrical wordsmith, Jae Cash, going at it with Botswana’s William Last KRM. The result is a dynamic offering that doesn’t miss a mark, not even once.

Cityzeen LS - “Mehaeso” (Lesotho)

Lesotho’s Cityzeen LS delivers an exceptional performance on “Mohaeso.” He raps about his ability as an artist and rallies his counterparts to witness his might. He packs enough metaphors to last an entire winter, leaving lyrical clues for the nerds.