Apple Music today revealed the biggest artists, songs and most Shazam recognitions soundtracking Ke Dezemba in South Africa, highlighting the music that dominated playlists, parties and dancefloors throughout the festive season.
Leading the month were Kelvin Momo, Kabza De Small and Thukutela, who emerged as South Africa’s top artists on Apple Music. The season’s defining anthem came from Sam Deep, Nia Pearl and Boohle with “Shela”, which not only topped Apple Music charts but also became the most-identified song on Shazam in South Africa during December.
South Africa’s Soundtrack for Ke Dezemba
From Amapiano and Afro House to Maskandi and global pop, December once again showcased South Africa’s dynamic listening habits. Homegrown hits sat comfortably alongside international heavyweights, reflecting a festive season rooted in local culture while remaining globally connected.
Artists such as Drake, Taylor Swift, Beyoncé, Chris Brown and Kendrick Lamar featured prominently on Apple Music charts, while South African stars including Kelvin Momo, Kabza De Small, Sam Deep, Mzukulu and DJ Maphorisa anchored the month with locally resonant releases.
Ke Dezemba Top Artists in South Africa
- Kelvin Momo
- Drake
- Kabza De Small
- Thukutela
- Babalwa M
- DJ Maphorisa
- JAZZWRLD
- Gunna
- Sam Deep
- Dlala Thukzin
- Zee Nxumalo
- Taylor Swift
- GL_Ceejay
- Chris Brown
- Summer Walker
- Olivia Dean
- Stixx
- Beyonce
- Xduppy
- Boohle
- Mariah The Scientist
- Future
- Kendrick Lamar
- PARTYNEXTDOOR
- The Weeknd
Ke Dezemba Top Songs in South Africa
- “Shela (feat. Mano)” – Sam Deep, Nia Pearl & Boohle
- “Abantwana Bakho (feat. Thatohatsi, Young Stunna & Nkosazana Daughter)” – DJ Maphorisa, Xduppy & Kabza De Small
- “ZEP (feat. Uncool MC)” – DJ Smallz, ZinedinexSguche & 031choppa
- “Tobetsa 3.0 (feat. ShaunMusiq & Ftears)” – Myztro & Leehleza
- “SNOKONOKO” – Al Xapo, Benzoo & EeQue
- “uValo (feat. Dlala Thukzin)” – JAZZWRLD, Thukuthela & Babalwa M
- “Ngyozama (feat. Sykes, Young Stunna, Nkosazana Daughter, Tracy & Thatohatsi)” – Kabza De Small & Dlala Thukzin
- “Lutho (feat. De Rose)” – Dj Jaivane, Smaki 08 & Wesley Keys
- “Mabebuza (Mdu aka TRP Remix)” – Maline Aura, Drega & MDU aka TRP
- “Man I Need” – Olivia Dean
- “uMoya” – Thukuthela, GL_Ceejay, JAZZWRLD & Makhadzi Entertainment
- “You Try” – Yumbs & Simmy
- “Bengicela” – MaWhoo, GL_Ceejay & Thukuthela
- “Rato Laka (feat. Slidoo Man)” – Shebeshxt, Naqua SA & Zee Nxumalo
- “Vele Uyena (Risk It All) [feat. Solaariss]” – Skyla Tylaa, JAZZWRLD, Thukuthela & Elaine
- “Mamma“ – Zee Nxumalo, Skillz & Sykes
- “Amaphutha“ – Babalwa M, JAZZWRLD, Thukuthela & Gl_Ceejay
- “Raindance“ – Dave & Tems
- “Intaba Zokhahlamba (feat. Shenge Wasehlalankosi & Mjolisi)” – Mphathiwohlelo MC
- “Iphupho (feat. Thatohatsi)” – Kabza De Small & Kelvin Momo
- “Shela (feat. Mano)” – Sam Deep, Nia Pearl & Boohle
- “Thandaza” – Sam Deep & Thatohatsi
- “Say I Do” – Kelvin Momo & Elaine
- “Amanxeba” – sami kay, Rox Roberson & Misokuhle
- “Umaqondana” – Feza
Ke Dezemba Most Shazam Recognitions in South Africa
- Sam Deep, Nia Pearl & Boohle Shela (feat. Mano)
- DJ Smallz, ZinedinexSguche & 031choppa ZEP (feat. Uncool MC)
- SdoDiRoba, Official Bangal Baffallo, Dj Kgauza & Farrian Samusa Dibiri Dikae (feat. KayGee Muziq, Ras Chief, Double DB, Tkay Music, Skxyy & EzzyMusica)
- Al Xapo, Benzoo & EeQue SNOKONOKO
- Feza Umaqondana
- Sam Deep & Thatohatsi Thandaza
- Myztro & Leehleza Tobetsa 3.0 (feat. ShaunMusiq & Ftears)
- LuuDadeejay Bacardi via sgidongo (feat. Kabza De Small & Mac Breezy)
- Ezra Neethings Merwalela
- Skyla Tylaa, JAZZWRLD, Thukuthela & Elaine Vele Uyena (Risk It All) [feat. Solaariss]
- Xduppy Feat. Sun-El Musician, Msaki & Seun1401 Ubomi Abumanga (Remix)
- DJ Lag & Zee Nxumalo NgyaSindelwa (feat. K.C Driller)
- Officixl RSA Jab Jab (feat. Scotts Maphuma, Benzoo, Bob Mabena, Mid9t & de-papzo)
- Mphathiwohlelo MC Intaba Zokhahlamba (feat. Shenge Wasehlalankosi & Mjolisi)
- sami kay, Rox Roberson & Misokuhle Amanxeba
- Vico Da Sporo & Zelule zn Sijabulile
- Rea Gopane Suka!
- Maline Aura, Drega & MDU aka TRP Mabebuza (Mdu aka TRP Remix)
- Mthandeni SK Dubai (feat. MaWhoo)
- Xduppy & Dj Maphorisa & Seun1401 Feat. Ftears, Mbuzi, Djy Vino & Mphoet Bang’bonile
Ke Dezemba Top Amapiano Songs
- “Shela (feat. Mano)” – Sam Deep, Nia Pearl & Boohle
- “SNOKONOKO“ – Al Xapo, Benzoo & EeQue
- “Abantwana Bakho (feat. Thatohatsi, Young Stunna & Nkosazana Daughter)” – DJ Maphorisa, Xduppy & Kabza De Small
- “ZEP” – DJ Smallz, ZinedinexSguche, and 031choppa (feat. Uncool MC)
- “Tobetsa 3.0 (feat. ShaunMusiq & Ftears)” – Myztro & Leehleza
Ke Dezemba Top Maskandi Songs
- “Ubu Ghost Bami (feat. Intombi yasoLundi)” – Mzukulu
- “Thandolwethu (feat. Zamambo Mkhize & Umfana weKhansela)” – Mzukulu
- “Sajola Kamnandi” – Sminofu & Zee Nxumalo
- “Umkhovu Etsheni (feat. Zamambo Mkhize)” – Mzukulu
- “Firefighter (feat. Shisamabhodwe)” – Mzukulu
Ke Dezemba Top Afro House Songs
- “Mabebuza (Mdu aka TRP Remix)” – Maline Aura, Drega & MDU aka TRP
- “iPlan (feat. Zaba & Sykes)” – Dlala Thukzin
- “Suka!” – Rea Gopane
- “Kwalula” – Sun-El Musician, Simmy & Sino Msolo
- “Nginawe” – Rea Gopane