Johannesburg, South Africa – LET’S DANCE, the much-anticipated track featuring Nigerian Afrobeat superstar Flavour is set to ignite dance floors across the globe this season.

The second single off the recently announced ONE DRUM EP is a vibrant and rhythmically rich song that beautifully showcases the deep cultural ties between Africa and its diaspora. Produced in collaboration with the legendary South African music pioneer Oskido and the iconic Brazilian drumming ensemble Olodum, LET’S DANCE is a true embodiment of global musical fusion. 

The track seamlessly blends the infectious rhythms of samba, rumba, and marimba with the unmistakable sounds of Afrobeats and Igbo-highlife, creating an irresistible anthem that transcends borders.

The ONE DRUM EP, from which this track is drawn is a celebration of cultural pride and the enduring legacy of African music. Through its powerful beats and uplifting lyrics, ‘LETS’ DANCE’ invites listeners to embrace the universal language of music and dance, uniting people from all walks of life in a global celebration.

Flavour’s soulful and dynamic vocals, combined with Oskido’s production expertise and Olodum’s mesmerizing drumming, make “Let’s Dance” a standout track that is sure to resonate with audiences worldwide.

Join the Global Dance Party!

‘LETS DANCE’ drops today and is available on all major digital streaming platforms. Don’t miss the chance to experience this extraordinary musical collaboration that bridges continents and cultures.

Fans can also look forward to exclusive content, including behind-the-scenes footage and artist interviews on the CANEX Creations Incorporated website or alternatively on the artists social media.

FLAVOUR

OSKIDO

OLODUM

CANEX 
 

NEW SINGLE ‘AFRO WAVE’ GOES LIVE THIS FRIDAY

STREAMING LINK
 

 Johannesburg, South Africa – CANEX Creations Incorporated, an initiative powered by Afrexim Bank’s Creative Africa Nexus (CANEX) programme is thrilled to announce the release of the highly anticipated EP, ONE DRUM – a collaborative masterpiece that bridges cultures and genres, while celebrating the rich musical heritage of Africa and its diaspora. 

This unique project brings together an extraordinary lineup of artists from across the African diaspora, the Caribbean, Brazil, the USA and also Europe.

ONE DRUM is a celebration of the cultural ties that unite Africa and its diaspora, forged through the shared history of the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade.

This EP also highlights the enduring rhythms and musical traditions that have been carried across continents, from the magical drums of Brazil to the reggae and soul of the Caribbean and the global beats of Afrobeats and Amapiano.

The EP delves into themes of cultural pride, resilience, and the beauty of collaboration. It not only showcases musical talent but also celebrates the power of cultural exchange, creating a universal language that connects us all.

The EP features an impressive array of talent, including:

• DJ Oskido (South Africa): Music pioneer and co-founder of Kalawa Jazmee Records.
• The Scorpion Kings (South Africa): Amapiano giants DJ Maphorisa and Kabza De Small, known for their innovative contributions to the genre.
• Olodum (Brazil): Renowned for their iconic Yoruba drumming and collaborations with legends like Michael Jackson and Paul Simon.
• Commissioner Gordon Williams (USA): Executive producer known for his work with Lauryn Hill, Amy Winehouse, and Carlos Santana.
• Flavour (Nigeria): Celebrated Afrobeat artist known for his powerful lyrics and dynamic performances.
• Sofiya Nzau (Kenya): Globally recognized artist with a standout EDM hit, “Mwaki.”
• Stephen Marley and Jo Mersa Marley (Jamaica): Reggae royalty bringing soulful and heartfelt tracks to the EP.

The first single on the “ONE DRUM” album “AFRO-WAVE” which will be released this Friday, is a international collaboration by South African’s own Scorpion Kings (Kabza De Small and DJ Maphorisa) alongside the legendary house DJ Oskido. This unique offering also features leading Amapiano vocalists TmanXpress and Phila Dloz. Renowned Brazilian Bloc-Afro band Olodum bring in the international Bahia sound blending the Afrohouse with Amapiano beats accompanied with isiZulu lyrics.

AFRO WAVE will be available on all major digital streaming platforms from Friday, 16th August 2024.

TRACK HIGHLIGHT:

1. Let’s Dance – A mid-tempo, sultry song featuring Flavour, DJ Oskido, and Olodum that combines samba, rumba, and marimba with Afrobeats and Igbo-highlife elements.
2. Coming Home – A deeply emotional track featuring Jo Mersa Marley, Steven Marley, and Thee Legacy among others, celebrates the connection to Africa.
3. Stop Stressin is a bass-infused reggae track produced by Commissioner Gordon which also has a dance version produced by Oskido, delivers a message of resilience and positivity.
4.  Money (Besa) – An EDM-inspired anthem by Sofiya Nzau, sung in Kikuyu, showcasing her charismatic charm and dynamic presence.
5. Afro-Wave – A vibrant collaboration by the Scorpion Kings (Kabza De Small, DJ Maphorisa), DJ Oskido, TmanXpress, X-Wise, Phila Dlozi, and Olodum, blending Afrohouse with Amapiano and isiZulu lyrics.

Fans can also look forward to exclusive content, including behind-the-scenes footage and artist interviews on the CANEX Creations Incorporated website or alternatively on the artists social media.

CANEX 

OSKIDO

DJ MAPHORISA

KABZA DA SMALL

LISTEN HERE 
MUSIC VIDEO DROPS TODAY HERE

NEW YORK –  This week multi-platinum international DJ-producer Uncle Waffles released her first single of 2024, “Wadibusa.”

In this new song featuring Royal MusiQ, Ohp Sage, PCEE, and Djy Biza, Waffles returns with the iconic upbeat dance rhythms that propelled her into stardom.

Hailed as the “Princess of Amapiano,” Uncle Waffles is back with the ultimate summertime banger as Amapaino continues its meteoric rise within the music scene.

Following the weekly cadence of teasers Waffles began to deliver across her social media platforms, fans anxiously awaited the official release of the single, yearning to finally indulge in the full track. 

The song begins with a steady tempo of traditional Amapiano sounds as vocals seamlessly blend in over Waffles’ euphoric and buoyant production. Her iconic tribal beats culminate in a melody of drums, cymbals, distant sounds of alarms, and swift reverbs. 

[Johannesburg] 18 January 2024 –  Africa is a treasure trove of artistic talent, and 2024 promises to be a year of exciting new voices breaking through.  From soulful singers to trailblazing artists, these emerging talents are going to be the ones to watch this year as they put in work to captivate audiences and redefine the pulse of Africa’s music scene. Spotify, the world’s leading streaming platform, has taken notice, unveiling a captivating list of rising stars from Southern Africa poised to make their mark on the global music scene in 2024. 

Embracing familiar sounds, yet adding their innovative twists, these new voices represent a potential shift in the musical landscape. Their fresh perspectives promise to rethink popular music, not just on the continent, but globally, and captivate listeners worldwide.

They are woven from across the diverse threads of South Africa, Botswana, and Zambia, bringing a rich tapestry of styles, cultures, and perspectives to the forefront and promising to enthral listeners worldwide.

SOUTHERN AFRICA

SOUTH AFRICA

Sykes

An Umhlanga native, the instrumentalist, and vocalist on the rise Sykes is a multi-talented artist known for his collaborations with Dlala Thukzin, especially on the chart-topping Amapiano banger iPlan. Sykes also worked with Dlala Thukzin on Mina. With 1.2 million monthly Spotify listeners 2024 is going to be even bigger for the artist. 

Ggoldie

Tembisa’s Ggoldie is a versatile woman disc jockey well known for the single Asambe. With a music career that started in 2021, her sets are intricate and well-thought-out. Spotify Greasy Tunes attendees got to experience her sets intimately last year when she took to the stage at the pop-up in Braamfontein, Johannesburg.  

Thakzin

Thakzin, whose music DNA stems from creating specific and distinctive sounds and being a 3-step pioneer (a new and developing variation of Afro House), is known across the industry as an artist with a versatility that is as unique as his music. On the single, The Magnificent Dance, Thakzin managed to capture the 2022 summer period with the song achieving viral status. Don’t Let Me See, and Please Don’t cemented his place in the music industry. 

Wordz 

The hip hop community’s wordsmith on the rise, Wordz who hails from Pretoria, first gained prominence through his feature on A-Reece’s single A Real Nigga Tale. His projects which showcase his songwriting and rapping skills include EPs Long Lost Letters and Death B4 Dishonor released a year apart. Wordz released an album titled PEOPLE FORGET TO BE PEOPLE and a deluxe version of it in 2023. 

Shakes & Les

The duo known for producing enthralling Amapiano music is capturing audiences from Johannesburg, Durban, to Cape Town. Their prominent single with DBN Gogo, Zee Nxumalo, Ceeka RSA and Chley Funk 55 released last year is currently dominating the Amapiano scene. 

Will Linley

Social media played a huge role in introducing Capetonian artist Will Linley musically to the digital community.  However, through the single miss me (when you’re gone) and  2023 EP Magic, Will Linley found his place in the music industry. With a sound that extends beyond popular music, Will Linley’s delivery from writing to vocals is impeccable and arresting.  

Nanette

Nanette from Durban’s music career started in 2021 with the release of the debut LP Bad Weather with a guest feature on Fire from Nigerian artist Idahams. Critically acclaimed within the R&B space, in December 2022, features with Kelvin Momo, titled Fool Me and Imfula saw her crossover nationally. ‘Fool Me’ charted atop numerous South African music charts. Nanette further shines brighter on 2023’s released Talk 2 Me, and Call You.

BOTSWANA

Titose

Titose is an R&B artist whose music draws and is inspired by personal experiences. Her sound is the result of collaborations with Zambian-born producer AmoBeatz, and it blends contemporary hip-hop with the smoother and warmer sounds of R&B as evidenced by her 2023 album release All Things Considered and on songs including Borderline and Star. 

ZAMBIA

Natasha Chansa

Natasha Chansa also known as Princess Natasha Chansa (PNC) is an award-winning singer, rapper, and producer known for her 2022 release Sini Ziba featuring Yo Maps. 

Makhadzi is the most streamed South African female artist

[Cape Town] 29 November 2023 – Spotify Wrapped 2023 demonstrated that South Africans are consuming more local songs, compared to 2022. Spotify Wrapped is the streaming giant’s thorough look into the music and podcasts that defined the year for South African users. 

Spotify Wrapped 2023 shows that local users are listening to more and more local songs and South African artists are resonating with users across the country. The improvement is also evident in the consumption. Local music consumption has grown exponentially, increasing by 101% in 2023. 

Tyler ICU’s Mnike and Lady Amar’s Hamba Juba lead the most streamed songs in South Africa, in a list dominated by local songs. Nine out of ten of the top streamed songs in South Africa are all South African, a major difference from the two previous years when international songs dominated the list. On the same token, the top streamed song; Tyler ICU’s – Mnike (feat. DJ Maphorisa, Nandipha808, Ceeka RSA & Tyron Dee) also tops the most added song to user-generated playlists list. 

“The South African music industry is evolving and growing with every song released. We are glad to see the local creators resonating with South African users,” says Phiona Okumu, Spotify Sub-Saharan Africa’s Head of Music. 

The search function on Spotify is one of the key tabs of discovery for many users. Its intuitive searching capabilities in South Africa landed Kelvin Momoon the second most searched artist list behind Drake. In addition, Drake’s Slime You Out (feat. SZA) is the number one most shared song on Instagram. South African users like to share what they are listening to, especially on social media. Correspondingly, Drake and SZA are the top two most shared artists on the same platform. The majority of the social platforms’ users, 18-24-year-olds listen to more non-South African artists than 25-34-year-olds. However, they have one artist in common, Drake, who tops both their lists.

The local resonance can also be attributed to artists’ innovation, for example, Sjava and Big Zulu’s partnership. The duo named Inkabi Zezwe who released their first album project this year, appear in two lists. Their single Umbayimbayi sits at number ten on the most streamed South African songs in SA, while the album, Ukhamba makes an appearance at the same spot on the most streamed albums in SA list. Sjava also appears in two lists. He is the third most streamed South African artist in SA and his album Isibuko, is the third most streamed South African album in SA. The duo’s appearance on the Bhinca culture-leaning playlist Bhinca Nation can be one of the reasons they featured in the two lists. Bhinca Nation is the fifth most streamed South African playlist. The playlist rounds up the top five most streamed South African playlists in SA led by Amapiano Grooves. Other playlists on the list include Made In South Africa, Afrikaanse Hits, and Hot Hits South Africa. 

Amapiano continues to dominate the lists. The most streamed songs are Amapiano songs, and the top two on the most streamed South African artists list are Amapiano artists. Kabza De Small remains the most streamed South African artist for the second year in a row, with two of his projects KOA II Part 1 and The Konka Mixtape : Sweet & Dust respectively rounding up the top 5 most streamed South Africa albums in SA. Furthermore, Kabza De Small and DJ Maphorisa are the only two South African artists to feature in the top ten most streamed artists overall in South Africa, ranking second and third after Drake. 

Male artists are still dominating the most streamed lists, however, female artists are making notable progress in average streams overall. The average streams year on year increase is at 49%. Female Amapiano artist Lady Amarappears on the most streamed South African songs in SA list. While Taylor Swift leads the most streamed female artists in South Africa, Makhadzi is the most streamed South African female artist, followed by Ami Faku with Nkosazana Daughter, Lwah Ndlunkulu, Nomfundo Moh, MaWhoo rounding up the top five, respectively. Lwah Ndlunkulu also appears in the top ten on the most searched South African artists. 

South Africa’s top exported list features Master KG, Black Coffee, Lucky Dube and Lebo M. 

On the podcast side, Wisdom & Wellness with Mpoomy Ledwaba is the most streamed South African female-led podcast in SA. Podcast and Chill with MacG retains its number one spot on the most streamed South African podcast in SA list. 

Eligible users can access their personalized 2023 Wrapped experienceexclusively in the Spotify mobile app (iOS and Android) and also this year, via web view on mobile or Desktop by heading to Spotify.com/Wrapped. 

Additionally, Spotify has also launched its Wrapped creator experience for podcasters and artists.  With access to their own individualized Wrapped microsite experience, creators can dive into all the ways in which their fans listened this year. Check out Spotify for Artists and Spotify for Podcasters to learn more.

The full breakdown of South Africans streamed on Spotify this year

MOST STREAMED SOUTH AFRICAN ARTISTS IN SA	MOST STREAMED ARTISTS IN SA	MOST STREAMED SONGS IN SA	TOP EXPORTED SOUTH AFRICAN ARTISTS
Kabza De Small	Drake	Tyler ICU – Mnike (feat. DJ Maphorisa, Nandipha808, Ceeka RSA & Tyron Dee)	Master KG
DJ Maphorisa	Kabza De Small	Lady Amar – Hamba Juba (feat. JL SA, Cici, Murumba Pitch)	Black Coffee
Sjava	DJ Maphorisa	Soa Mattrix – Mina Nawe	Nomcebo Zikode
Kelvin Momo	The Weeknd	DJ Stokie – Awukhuzeki	DJ Maphorisa
Mellow & Sleazy	Taylor Swift	2Point1 – Stimela (feat. Ntate Stunna & Nthabi Sings)	Lebo M.
Nasty C	Chris Brown	Mas Musiq – Gangnam Style (feat. DJ Maphorisa & Kabza De Small)	The Kiffness
AKA	J. Cole	Mellow & Sleazy – Imnandi lento (feat. Tman Xpress)	Lucky Dube
Tyler ICU	21 Savage	Aymos – Fatela	Will Linley
Joyous Celebration	Travis Scott	Libianca – People	Kabza De Small
Aymos	SZA	De Mthuda – Sgudi Snyc	Nasty C

MOST STREAMED SOUTH AFRICAN SONGS IN SA	MOST STREAMED ALBUMS IN SA	MOST STREAMED SOUTH AFRICAN ALBUMS IN SA	MOST STREAMED SOUTH AFRICAN PODCASTSIN SA
Tyler ICU – Mnike (feat. DJ Maphorisa, Nandipha808, Ceeka RSA & Tyron Dee)	SZA – SOS	Kelvin Momo – Amukelani	Podcast and Chill with MacG
Lady Amar – Hamba Juba (feat. JL SA, Cici, Murumba Pitch)	Kelvin Momo – Amukelani	AKA – MASS COUNTRY