The 28 Best South African Songs of the Month (April)
Featuring Zoë Modiga, TNS, Simphiwe Dana, Priddy Ugly, Petite Noire and more.
The music hasn't stopped during the lockdown. Below, are South African songs that were released in April and those that were highlighted with music videos that caught our attention.
TNS "Ibhari" (featuring Luqua)
<iframe src="https://embed.spotify.com/?uri=spotify:album:2KldnFqUxi8vkU58Ond9Gy" id="6e183" frameborder="0" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="34a5437426c6ab08812367d053664c66" expand="1" height="480" width="100%"></iframe><p>TNS takes inspiration from maskandi in his latest single "Ibhari." If the late Bhekumuzi Luthuli ever sang over house beats, he'd probably sound like TNS in this song.<span></span><br></p>Ason "God Mode" (ft. Reason)
<iframe src="https://embed.spotify.com/?uri=spotify:track:37Pr4IX2FMLJhktJvGexwr" id="f66e9" frameborder="0" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="d6d542117f07c4e80e06053b508cf550" expand="1" height="480" width="100%"></iframe><p>Reason joins Ason for a showcase of raps and character over a trap instrumental with a pulverizing bassline.<br></p>ASAP Shembe "Belela Mina" (featuring Fireman R5 and Enkei)
<iframe src="https://embed.spotify.com/?uri=spotify:track:2EDjB6bQgcvnPtPgHnHS2e" id="c18b9" frameborder="0" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="9b0119e21f2982cb2d637acbe3eac96e" expand="1" height="480" width="100%"></iframe><p>A standout track from ASAP Shembe's stellar debut album, <a href="https://open.spotify.com/album/0POL3AH6le4jCz1HtukYEC?si=QnDdGHrJSaybTk64NkUffQ" target="_blank"><em>Amarekere</em></a>.<br></p>J Smash "Hyenas" (featuting Jay Hood, Lucasraps, Mass The Difference, Touchline, Dibi, Indigo Stella)
<iframe src="https://embed.spotify.com/?uri=spotify:track:7l8xn8rod1s9ClRHcsxabP" id="a6f65" frameborder="0" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="f3a60c7d8a128b3f6c1776e93e9b760a" expand="1" height="480" width="100%"></iframe><p><strong>J Smash</strong> assembles a lineup of lyricists for a pleasing posse cut from his latest EP<em> <a href="https://open.spotify.com/album/5XgjWO5Dz68n46kEo2v4r7?si=rFTCIV6zTnOOCDHkqh9QzA" target="_blank">Monumental</a></em>.<br></p>Stogie T "The Making" (ft. Ziyon)
<iframe src="https://embed.spotify.com/?uri=spotify:track:1zjNBEP5udttAc2GzgpDTi" id="4039d" frameborder="0" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="5b6248ccac8b338c4045adc607db9419" expand="1" height="480" width="100%"></iframe><p>Stogie T uses his love for cigars to tell his life story over a minimalist instrumental characterized by mellow keys and a healthy bassline.<br></p>KLY "Cashflow" (featuring Focalistic)
<iframe src="https://embed.spotify.com/?uri=spotify:track:2Prn0QnCthOVRsnHAKxmHN" id="c1b4e" frameborder="0" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="065ae57f15c9ecab36cf5b75f9af69b7" expand="1" height="480" width="100%"></iframe><p>KLY returns with an oxymoronic banger that doubles as a smoothie. An unlikely collaboration you never knew you needed.<br></p>Buli "Can I Kick It" (featuring Amarafleur)
<iframe src="https://embed.spotify.com/?uri=spotify:track:2SGS938sjJTuvIhTWoHIVN" id="622bb" frameborder="0" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="cb132dbeff45c1eb89a5715da025387f" expand="1" height="480" width="100%"></iframe><p>Amarafleur sounds at home over electronic production from Buli on "Can I KickIt" from Buli's new <em><a href="https://open.spotify.com/track/2SGS938sjJTuvIhTWoHIVN?si=Hkp-cI5GRQGgtdI55bEH0A" target="_blank">Blue LP</a></em>.<br></p>Priddy Ugly "Durag"
<iframe src="https://embed.spotify.com/?uri=spotify:track:4ynIRlzVYxdS4JCmGaid9O" id="7bde2" frameborder="0" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="1e38fdf27b1aca7d6cd0cdada2a318fb" expand="1" height="480" width="100%"></iframe><p>Priddy Ugly turns a <a href="https://www.timeslive.co.za/tshisa-live/tshisa-live/2020-01-29-watch--lol-kabza-de-small-is-psed-that-someone-called-his-durag-a-doek/" target="_blank">Twitter moment</a> by amapiano frontman Kabza De Small into an ice-cold trap banger on "Durag" from his latest EP <em><a href="https://open.spotify.com/album/3n8cY60hk46pdfSnMOktLY?si=9n1pEoGfRMuqE2mgCDoMTA" target="_blank">Lockdown Extended</a></em>.<br></p>DJ Maphorisa & Kabza De Small "Suka" (featuring Busiswa)
<iframe src="https://embed.spotify.com/?uri=spotify:track:7uqSYboRuF4KUuPaD8zhuS" id="26c33" frameborder="0" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="f67e8f852079da47d194fb2421e5acf6" expand="1" height="480" width="100%"></iframe><p>A smoky amapiano banger by DJ Maphorisa and Kabza De Small graced by the big personality of Busiswa. <br></p>Sun-El Musican "Uhuru" (featuring Azana)
<iframe src="https://embed.spotify.com/?uri=spotify:track:0Bl8N02J5qjjLRk2SlH3Jc" id="7a891" frameborder="0" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="30d4b984312cd0e3fa7abb0c8f66c4f4" expand="1" height="480" width="100%"></iframe><p>Azana weaves social commentary over rich production by <strong>Sun-El Musician </strong>in another potential by the producer who doesn't miss.<br></p>Elizeé "What's Good (Outro)"
<iframe src="https://embed.spotify.com/?uri=spotify:track:5EPeLv9jG6OYRaORTrXOpE" id="dc639" frameborder="0" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="0ec597d0c1191c0465dd1a4065349224" expand="1" height="480" width="100%"></iframe><p>Elize<a target="_blank">é</a> opens up about the ambivalence of life on the come-up while facing personal challenges over fitting production in the outro for his new EP <em><a href="https://open.spotify.com/album/2ZqUsv2s7KYoarkmmeeB91?si=-oaODxdfSMGYt7cJ7iMXNw" target="_blank">BLK SHP</a></em>.<br></p>Audiomarc (featuring Nasty C) "Audio Czzle"
<iframe src="https://embed.spotify.com/?uri=spotify:track:6MFE4JxDutyzsqdA5vIIzZ" id="072fc" frameborder="0" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="1348a4c16d15c375fb27928dd7c16032" expand="1" height="480" width="100%"></iframe><p><strong>Nasty C </strong>and his deejay have a banger in their hands—<strong>Nasty C </strong>is evidently having fun with his craft over a song that switches beats twice.<br></p>Insertcoinz "Sad Machines"
<iframe src="https://embed.spotify.com/?uri=spotify:track:38U10A9kxX7KsRacOMLekk" id="a0aff" frameborder="0" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="b182abc539ef2c9f5d1d5cffdf2f1825" expand="1" height="480" width="100%"></iframe><p>The lines between EDM and kwaito are blurred on the second song from Insertcoinz' EP<a href="https://open.spotify.com/album/36nAn97JrZnr5UBjY6AmuC?si=BzO42ex1R1e86dATEdv5Lg" target="_blank"><em> Good and Nice</em></a>.<span></span><br></p>Muzi "Phuma (Bad Self)"
<span style="display:block;position:relative;padding-top:56.25%;" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="6c2f858742d8f3a47e645466cb8a59ef"><iframe lazy-loadable="true" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/_saIfLDUk3I?rel=0" width="100%" height="auto" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" style="position:absolute;top:0;left:0;width:100%;height:100%;"></iframe></span><p>Muzi epitomizes black boy joy in the video for "Phuma (Bad Self)," a song in which he references South Africa's bubblegum pop music which was popular in the 80s and early 90s.<br></p>Focalistic (featuring Zingah) "Patrice Motsepe"
<iframe src="https://embed.spotify.com/?uri=spotify:track:0xEzHV9h3kjV5O6mE8q9Il" id="4a4fa" frameborder="0" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="f7a684c1afc4ffb753766e743fcf10db" expand="1" height="480" width="100%"></iframe><p>Sonically, "Patrice Motsepe" references old school kwaito and amapiano, two genres <strong>Focalistic</strong> is fond of. Together with his guest <strong>Zingah</strong>, they rap about their aspirations of getting as rich as the South African billionaire.<br></p>Sibu Nzuza "Thinta Thinta" (ft. Mnqobi Yazo)
<iframe src="https://embed.spotify.com/?uri=spotify:track:6qZwgykvbfD4zvioDONVeO" id="23c8e" frameborder="0" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="59262e357bfae3696f688beeb1068dd6" expand="1" height="480" width="100%"></iframe><p>A satisfying cauldron of multiple genres—part EDM, part pop, part Afrobeats and part amazing.<br></p>Ganja Beatz (featuring Costa Titch and FonZo) "ISH"
<iframe src="https://embed.spotify.com/?uri=spotify:track:5cSU3DTJh12DdTtAzwQDcl" id="7796d" frameborder="0" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="4c04ac5aa1397c7d730b2a0a4b923a93" expand="1" height="480" width="100%"></iframe><p>A collaboration by rappers from two different walks of life (and rap) clash in this new Ganja Beatz fire cracker.<span></span><br></p>Moonga K. "Heartbeat 8"
<iframe src="https://embed.spotify.com/?uri=spotify:track:7KC1ivoC6YsXtz9NM1NMEw" id="07f31" frameborder="0" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="530aeda963dc093c940fe0a692dcc436" expand="1" height="480" width="100%"></iframe><p>Moonga K. celebrates love with the soothing "Heartbeat 8."<br></p>Sam Turpin "Cloud City"
<iframe src="https://embed.spotify.com/?uri=spotify:track:75DDhvRludUpgj19unzyAT" id="26ec3" frameborder="0" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="35e11931a7913fbea7122de4482c34da" expand="1" height="480" width="100%"></iframe><p>Sam Turpin sounds convincing over lo-fi production in his latest single<br></p>Zoë Modiga "UMDALI"
<iframe src="https://embed.spotify.com/?uri=spotify:track:3WFU22OI1ZHjOCaEXlRpJB" id="26a93" frameborder="0" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="99429cafaafe2175f418cba32f73c740" expand="1" height="480" width="100%"></iframe><p>As usual<strong>, Zoë Modiga</strong> offers a positive outlook on life in her latest single "UMDALI." And the overall quality of the song is unmatched.<br></p>DJ Lag (featuring Moonchild Sanelly) "Uhuru Dis"
<span style="display:block;position:relative;padding-top:56.25%;" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="d56026f299018c84bed6a4b22648db8b"><iframe lazy-loadable="true" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Zrm4Sa_vIUQ?rel=0" width="100%" height="auto" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" style="position:absolute;top:0;left:0;width:100%;height:100%;"></iframe></span><p>DJ Lag highlights "Uhuru Dis" from his 2019 EP <em>Uhuru </em>with a creative music video the artist and his team have deemed the first <a href="https://www.okayafrica.com/premiere-dj-lag-and-moonchild-sanelly-gqom-musical-/" target="_blank">gqom musical</a>.<br></p>Marcus Harvey "Be Right Back"
<iframe src="https://embed.spotify.com/?uri=spotify:track:1yShhZi89JK1RC7vZAvTWH" id="bb108" frameborder="0" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="136212cac0cb182aeadc929d527e981c" expand="1" height="480" width="100%"></iframe><p><strong>Marcus Harvey</strong> croons over moody trap production on "Be Right Back" from his EP<em> I Am Marcus Harvey</em>.<br></p>Tshego "With My Bros"
<span style="display:block;position:relative;padding-top:56.25%;" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="a499caa4e12c6fabc189621d6d8c3cd5"><iframe lazy-loadable="true" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/99po25a5h7k?rel=0" width="100%" height="auto" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" style="position:absolute;top:0;left:0;width:100%;height:100%;"></iframe></span><p>This month, "With My Bros" from Tshego's 2019 album <em><a href="https://www.okayafrica.com/tshego-pink-panther-interview-south-african-hip-hop/" target="_blank">Pink Panther</a></em> is treated to an emotive visual that comes with cameos from <strong>Nadia Nakai</strong>, <strong>Nasty C</strong>, <strong>Gemini Major</strong> and<strong> Tellaman</strong>.<br></p>Champagne69 "Complicated"
<iframe src="https://embed.spotify.com/?uri=spotify:track:0ufoIlLfyQKbFboDsaSr0C" id="9c3d7" frameborder="0" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="fc8fc64f781b16b0870a26b9a04c86b1" expand="1" height="480" width="100%"></iframe><p><br></p><p>Another energetic tune from the <strong>Champagne69 </strong>duo.</p>Robin Thirdfloor (featuring ASAP Shembe and Laliboi) "Gibela (Remix)"
<iframe src="https://embed.spotify.com/?uri=spotify:track:7GrfLWskJ9Vrx7w9CHrr7X" id="a0755" frameborder="0" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="04214ab8b6d11d8da255723aa1e229ec" expand="1" height="480" width="100%"></iframe><p>A showcase of different rapping styles from three of the best alternative rappers in South Africa.<br></p>Petite Noir & Kingdom "Alive"
<iframe src="https://embed.spotify.com/?uri=spotify:track:1C0RqlX4XPT2UqBPmGIITa" id="14dbe" frameborder="0" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="c562a9b0538fb696b4d0774c2b53e4f9" expand="1" height="480" width="100%"></iframe><p><strong>Petite Noir</strong>'s vocals float above a cloud of pads and dense trap-inspired basslines and 808s on "Alive."<br></p>Black Coffee (featuring 'SBCNCSLY' (featuring Sabrina Claudio)
<iframe src="https://embed.spotify.com/?uri=spotify:track:4AA1dJbrLXikzLCaishyny" id="582ec" frameborder="0" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="44cca03115bb954354b7ecf967a8f0b0" expand="1" height="480" width="100%"></iframe><p>Black Coffee's rich production collides with <strong>Sabrina Claudio</strong>'s soulful vocals for a sophisticated house tune.<br></p>Simphiwe Dana "Masibambaneni" (featuring Salif Keita)
<iframe src="https://embed.spotify.com/?uri=spotify:track:1pX94ATR4DVBR9viWZAaTP" id="fce99" frameborder="0" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="e3ae2bdab2c23a74fedb70ac97be5e0f" expand="1" height="480" width="100%"></iframe><p>"Masibambaneni" sounds unrushed with every element given its own screentime. Of course, it's on-brand for Simphiwe Dana whose music is never clattered.</p>
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