The Best Southern African Songs Right Now

Across South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Lesotho, a generation of artists is reshaping the soundscape, blurring genres, pushing boundaries, and building bridges between local traditions and global currents.

This roundup captures just a slice of the fire: from Ciza's chart-topping dancefloor anthem "Isaka (6AM)" to Lowfeye and Usimamane's lyrical cage match on "Tango," each track is a testament to a region overflowing with talent, grit, and groove.

Ciza - “Isaka (6AM)” feat. Jazzworx and Thukuthela (South Africa)

"Isaka" is an undisputed banger. Since its release in April, the song has climbed the charts, entered the hearts of dance music lovers, and given dance floors another reason to come alive. The Tarryn Tippens-directed video is a lavish display that mirrors the track's energy, allure, and infectious groove, securing its place within the lush and evolving terrain of South African electronic music.

Brotherkupa - "Today Is A Good Day" (South Africa)

Brotherkupa's aura is currently unmatched. Alongside artists like Mfanatouchline and collectives like The Qwellers, he's ushering in a new era of jiggy raps and outlandish production that borders on disrespect in the best way possible. Here, samples are chopped, sped up, slowed down, reversed, and paired with buzzing 808s. It's an entire vibe. And the streets are responding: his fourth album, Before The Worst, shot to number one on streaming platforms upon release. Echoing the sunshine and glory of Ice Cube's 1992 hit. "Today Is A Good Day" is more than a statement — it's a lifestyle, a religion, and a way of life.

lordkez - "Aweh" (South Africa)

South African R&B is in a mighty healthy place right now, with new releases emerging left, right, and center across the burgeoning scene. Lordkez, a staple of this sonic wave whose reign has blessed us with collaborations with Maglera Doe Boy, Bas, and Shekhinah, shines on "Aweh," which is a colloquial term for "yo." The vibes are vibing; the choreography by the inimitable Tarryn Alberts is on point, and her command of the music elevates the track to another level.

Ntate Stunna - "Robari 2" (Lesotho)

With his debut offering, Sesotho Fashioneng, Ntate Stunna ushered a new age of Lesotho rappers, ones who drew from the innovations of both Famo musicians and rappers of an earlier time, such as Kommanda Obbs and Skebza D. The original "Robari," taken from that album, is a vivid tale of a robbery gone wrong. A series of unfortunate events leaves the protagonist at odds with himself, wondering how he'll escape a situation that now involves police officers.

On the Flash Cortez-produced follow-up, Ntate Stunna disregards imminent danger and tries to negotiate with the hostages. "Toronko kapa mokhohlane/ ke re nka mpa ka baleha/ lebaka le nke keng ka tšoaroa, ke tsoile ka parole ene ha ke sa itlaleha, ("Jail or funeral/I'd rather run away/ I can't be arrested, I haven't been reporting for parole/")" he raps, as the cinematic soundscape elevates the song's impact. This is how you do a follow-up.

Killer T - "Magunje" (Zimbabwe)

In the animated video for "Magunje," Zimbabwean dancehall stalwart Killer T portrays an easy, carefree life. The song celebrates the finer things, luxuries, and pleasures that, while enjoyable, might still attract trouble with the authorities. Through a series of hilarious incidents, Killer T maintains an energetic flow that drives the song from start to finish, adding to its charm and playful defiance.

Voltz JT - "Medzai Fridge" (Zimbabwe)

Every track the Zimbabwean emcee Voltz JT touches turns to gold. With a voice that echoes the gravitas of rap's greats and a mastery of flow that stretches words, flips meanings, and reassembles them into nuggets of inside jokes, prophetic wisdom, and unapologetic badassery, he carries an entire scene on his back. "Medzai Fridge" (Shona for "put it in the fridge") is bass-heavy, raw, unfiltered, and impossible to ignore. Beware of the funk.

Kharishma - "Fly High Lekompo" (South Africa)

Kharishma is the moment. Her main occupation? Dishing out hits, which she does superbly. On "Fly High Lekompo," a melodic earworm rooted in South Africa's Limpopo province, she uses the infectious beat as a springboard to showcase the full range of her talent. The result is both catchy and commanding, a clear reminder that she's a force to be reckoned with.

saveHXPE - "80s Baby" feat. Baby Diaz (Lesotho/South Africa)

Lesotho's saveHXPE wears his influences on his sleeve. Following up on "Real," released earlier this year, he channels a Kendrick Lamar-esque cadence to magnetic effect. Baby Daiz adds the extra seasoning, elevating an otherwise intimate affair into a rap banger with serious replay value.

Lowfeye - "Tango" feat. Usimamane (South Africa)

Lowfeye and Usimamane butt heads and unleash pure lyrical warfare. Lowfeye sets it up, leaving the slate clean for his counterpart to run wild on the beat. "This how it be, nobody's safe when I step out the house," he declares in the opening line. Usimamane wastes no time, making it clear that every rapper in the game is his offspring. He even slips in a shoutout to Riky Rick before passing the mic back to Lowfeye, who excavates words so jiggy they deserve their own dictionary.