Johannesburg, South Africa – With Trace’s ongoing mission to showcase fresh African talent, the channel today announced their continued focus of empowering young and emerging creatives to produce outstanding quality local content with a huge retention of top-performing shows amidst the current show changes.

Always connected to the pulse of urban culture, Trace plans to deliver even more of what their viewers love – the music via current favourites and entirely new shows.

Trace Urban: “More Hits. More Fresh. More You”
 
Trace Urban, the countries #1 Hip Hop, R&B and Rhythmic music channel has evolved its offering to a more streamlined and simplified, playlist-driven experience for their viewers. The channel will provide more hits, while also introducing more fresh and original content throughout the day at fixed time slots.

The current highest viewed shows that will remain on the 2024 / 2025 roster include K-Pop Hits, Gqom 10 Hits, SA Hip Hop 10 and Piano to the World.

With a big focus on increased fresh content: new and original content will introduce emerging talent and music for the next season via Trace original shows including House of Trace, showcasing live performances on Trace Sessions and the flagship show New Music Friday which is dedicated to debuting the hottest new tracks. 

NEW MUSIC FRIDAY
 

This flagship show is a fan favorite, blending dynamic energy with a focus on discovering new talent while staying up-to-date with the hottest tracks. It consistently keeps viewers informed about the freshest music in the industry.

Introducing Vik The Groove, the channel’s only dedicated presenter-led show, offering an unmatched music experience

New Music Friday will premiere on 11th October 2024 and will air every Friday at 12h00, 17h00, and 20h00, with a repeat on Saturdays at 12h00.

DRILL HITS

Brand new to the channel, Drill Hits is set to spotlight the rapidly growing drill music genre, bringing viewers the best tracks and emerging artists shaping the scene. 

Drill music is a subgenre of hip-hop that originated in the early 2010s, primarily in the South Side of Chicago, and later gained significant popularity in the UK, especially London. Known for its gritty, raw, and often dark lyrical content, drill music typically reflects street life, violence, and the struggles of urban youth.

The show airs every Tuesday from 15h00 to 15h30. 

SHORTS

Another exciting new addition to the channel, Shorts will seamlessly connect TV and social media. In today’s fast-paced media landscape, this show delivers quick, bite-sized content for fast, engaging entertainment, keeping viewers hooked with its dynamic and fresh format.

K-POP HITS

With an ever growing global K-Pop movement, K-POP Hits is yet another Trace audience favourite. The show airs on Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 15h00 to 15h30. 

Trace Africa: “Kuningi – More of What You Love”
This proudly South African focused music channel will continue to deliver thematic shows but with a surge of more local music and culture. 

Known for reflecting on the rhythmic lifestyles of South Africans, Trace Africa is committed to delivering more of what its viewers love and will continue to provide a rich mix of local and Afro-urban. With the channel’s repositioning to increase emerging talent from the country, the goal of pushing more local is very intentional.

Over the next few weeks, Trace  Africa will be airing a variety of external shows further pushing the boundaries of local lifestyle content. Additionally, the channel is introducing a dedicated hour for undiscovered artists, giving a platform to local talent and showcasing hidden gems in the music industry.

Trace will feature its top-performing shows including originals Hit 30 and Hits & Lyrics. In addition new playlists have been introduced via various new thematic playlists: Afro Vibes, Amapiano Plz, All Hip Hop, Fresh and New.

                “With change comes great opportunity. We are confident that our new programming lineup will not only resonate with our current audience but also attract new viewers to Trace. For 17 years, Trace has been a key player in promoting South African music on a local, regional and global stage. With the success of the pan-African Trace Awards, launched in 2023 and set to return in 2025, we continue to elevate African music and culture to new heights. Our commitment remains steadfast—to empower emerging talents and amplify the rich diversity of Afro-urban music worldwide.” shared Trace’s Managing Director – Southern Africa, Valentine Gaudin-Muteba.


Stay tuned to TRACE Urban (DStv channel 325) TRACE Africa (DStv channel 326) for your best local, International and African content.

Alternatively, keep it locked on Trace social media platforms:

Facebook @TraceSouthernAfrica
X  @Trace_Inter
Instagram @tracesouthafrica

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.