From making headlines, appearing on billboards, breaking scales, boosting streams and having songs echoing and blasting from every speaker in many countries, the artist is in God mode and winning awards is just part of the process.
In the South African music industry, we have very few who can easily climb this mountain with just one song. With each release, over several days, it grows, reaching thousands and millions of views, clicks, streams, and watch hours.
It’s true that he doesn’t compete with songs for the number 1 position because he’s already on the throne, and he has it.
This is not to deny the effort and energy put into making good music by other talented and gifted artists, but, to be honest, the industry chooses the brave and the blessed, and not many artists will make it.
Let’s check out some of the most streamed South African music artists (across all platforms).
In no particular order:
- Naughty C
- AKA
- Kabza De Cilik
- Elaine
- Black Coffee
- Cassper Nyovest
- DJ Maphorisa
- A- Reece
- Question
- Bust 929
- Makhadzi
- Mr. JazziQ
- Blxckie
- Blessed Feast
- Java.
Apple launched its roots in South Africa more than 6 years ago and since its inception, there have been many artists who have rocked and topped the charts, but, according to him, the famous producer and musician, Kabza De Small is the most streamed South African artist, when Elaine’s debut EP was tagged “Elements” it was the most streamed South African album.
When it comes to the most released South African songs on Apple music, Black Coffee takes the place with the number 1 smash hit with David Guetta and Delilah Montagu tagged “Drive”.
According to Shazam, the list for the most Shazamed South African Music sees Kabza De Small come out on top.
For Spotify, Nasty C and AKA are trending. Although, Saudi recently became the most streamed rapper with more than 1 million streams per month, over the years, AKA has become more than 124,000 listeners per month and Nasty C at 619,604 listeners per month.
Furthermore, in the list of South African artists broadcast by Spotify there are also Sjava, Black Coffee, Prince Kaybee, Jeremy Loops, Goldfish, Snotkop and Fokofpolisiekar. Also, in the list of artists who cover different genres, AKA and Nasty C still come out on top.
The Most Shipped South African Artist of All Time
- Kabza De Cilik
- DJ Maphorisa
- Naughty C
- Blessed Feast
- wolf spit
- AKA
- A- Reece
- Black Coffee
- Java
- Cassper Nyovest
The Most Streamed South African Album of All-Time
- Elaine – Elements
- Kabza De Small – I’m the King of Amapiano: Sweet & Dusty
- Nasty C – Strings and Blings
- Mlindo The Vocalist – At Home
- Samthing Soweto – Chaos
- Kabza De Small – Return of the Scorpion King
- Kabza De Cilik – The best of Kabza De Cilik
- Kabza De Small & DJ Maphorisa – Scorpion Kings Live
- Sjava – Crown
- AKA – Touch My Blood
The Most Streamed South African Songs of All Time
- Black Coffee & David Guetta feat. Delilah Montagu – Drive
- Elaine – You’re Wrong
- Samthing Soweto feat. Sha Sha, DJ Maphorisa & Kabza De Small – I can’t sleep
- Kabza De Small – EMcimbini mp3
- Shekhinah – Appropriate
- DJ Zinhle feat. Mvzzle & Rethabile – Fire
- Busta 929 & Mpura feat. Zuma, Mr. JazziQ, Lady Du – Our Work
- Goldfish feat. Diamond Thug – Deep of the Night
- A.K.A feat. Kiddominant – Fela In Versace
- Sun-El Musician & Ami Faku – Into Ingawe
The Most Shazamed South African Artist of All Time
- Kabza De Cilik
- DJ Maphorisa
- Mr. JazziQ
- De Mthuda
- Bust 929
- Mr. Trill
- Cassper Nyovest
- DJ Tira
- Reece Madlisa
- I found it
Most Shazamed South African Songs of All-Time
- Kwiish SA feat. Njelic, MalumNator & De Mthuda – “LiYoshona”
- Musa Keys feat. Sir Trill & Nobantu Vilakazi – “Open Your Mouth”
- Busta 929 & Mpura feat. Zuma, Mr JazziQ, Lady Du & Reece Madlisa – “Our Work”
- Soa Matrix & Soulful G feat. Shaun 101 – “uThando”
- Mtandazo Gatya feat. DJ Manzo SA & Comado – “Senzeni”
- Boohle feat. Njelic, Ntokzin & De Mthuda – “Wamuhle”
- Elaine – “You’re the One”
- DJ Police & Tyler ICU feat. Sir Trill, Daliwonga & Kabza De Small – “The Girls”
- Black Coffee & David Guetta feat. Delilah Montagu – “Drive”
- De Mthuda feat. Sir Trill & The Musical Chef – “John Wick”