Music
2024: A cold year for South African music
As the clock ticks closer to the end of 2024, one thing is glaringly clear—this year has been surprisingly quiet for South African music.
Unlike previous years, the debate around the coveted Song of the Year title is strikingly muted.
But why is that? Did our artists stop releasing music? Absolutely not. Was there a decline in music consumption? Not significantly. So what changed?
To understand this, let’s rewind to 2023, a year that blessed Mzansi with an array of chart-topping hits.
From Tyla’s global smash Water to Tyler ICU’s Mnike, Dlala Thukzin’s iPlan, and Khuzani Mpungose’s uMjolo Lowo, the South African music scene was on fire.
These songs didn’t just dominate locally; they made waves internationally, solidifying our country’s position on the global music stage.
Fast forward to 2024, and the story is different. While there were notable releases, nothing has truly captured the nation’s collective imagination or sparked the same level of excitement.
Biri Marung, a 2024 release, appears to have been embraced by South African music lovers as the Song of the Year.
However, its impact falls short when compared to the monumental success achieved by the hits of 2023.
The absence of a definitive anthem for the year leaves a void, one that reflects the broader challenges the local music industry seems to have faced this year.
As we step into 2025, this observation serves as both a reflection and a call to action.
South African musicians have consistently proven their ability to create magic, and the hope is that the coming year will see a resurgence of unforgettable hits that not only dominate the airwaves but also capture the spirit of the nation.