The Best of South African House Music
Contents
A blog dedicated to the best of South African House Music. From the newest releases to classic tracks, we’ll keep you updated on the latest and greatest in South African House Music.
The Origins of South African House Music
House music is a genre of electronic dance music that originated in South Africa in the late 1980s. The genre was created by South African producers such as Christos Katsaitis, Robbie Jansen, and DJ Ronnie Naidoo. House music has been popular in South Africa since the early 1990s.
The Birth of Kwaito
The origins of South African house music can be traced back to the early 1990s, when a new style of music called Kwaito emerged on the country’s dance floors. Kwaito was informed by both local and international trends, and its popularity quickly spread beyond the clubs and into the mainstream.
Kwaito is a uniquely South African style of house music that is characterized by its laid-back, mellow sound. The genre often incorporates elements of hip hop, disco, and African traditional music, and its lyrics are typically in Setswana, Zulu, or Sotho.
While Kwaito has its roots in the Johannesburg township of Soweto, the genre gained widespread popularity in the mid-1990s after several influential Kwaito artists released mainstream hits. One of the most popular Kwaito songs of all time is “Bum Bum” by Mzekezeke, which topped South African charts in 2003.
In recent years, Kwaito has begun to lose some of its appeal with younger audiences, who are more likely to prefer international styles of house music such as Gqom or Amapiano. However, the genre remains popular with older generations and continues to be an important part of South Africa’s musical landscape.
The Rise of Gqom
In South Africa, a new style of house music called Gqom is taking over the clubs and the airwaves. This genre is characterized by its heavy bass and slow, hypnotic tempo. Although it has only been around for a few years, Gqom has already made a huge impact on the music scene in South Africa.
Gqom was originally developed in the city of Durban, which is located on the east coast of South Africa. The name “Gqom” comes from the Zulu word for “drum,” which is fitting given the genre’s focus on percussion. The first Gqom tracks were created by DJs who were looking for a way to stand out from the rest of the house music scene. They used simple drum machines and 808 bass drums to create a sound that was both dark and seductive.
While Gqom is still relatively new, it has already started to spread beyond Durban. In recent years, Gqom tracks have been released by artists from all over South Africa, as well as from other parts of the world. As Gqom gains popularity, it is likely that we will see even more innovative and exciting tracks coming out of this fascinating genre.
The Sound of South African House Music
The South African house music scene has been exploding in recent years, with a new generation of producers and DJs emerging and making a name for themselves. The sound of South African house music is a unique and refreshing take on the genre, with a focus on melody and feeling over club-ready beats. If you’re looking for something new and exciting to listen to, look no further than the South African house music scene.
The Elements of Gqom
Gqom (“goma” or “gaquma”) is a genre of music that emerged in the early 2010s from Durban, South Africa. It is a subgenre of house music, distinguished by its repetitive, percussive sound and use of Zulu vocal samples.
Gqom is characterized by minimalistic percussion and futuristic basslines, often layered with alternating layers of synth pads and vocal samples. The tempo is usually around 140 beats per minute (BPM), making it slower than most forms of house music. Gqom songs often have a dark or somber atmosphere, with themes ranging from reflectiveness to nihilism.
The word “gqom” comes from the Zulu phrase “igqomu,” which describes the sound made by striking two pieces of metal together. This minimalistic approach to percussion is one of the defining characteristics of gqom music.
While gqom has its roots in Durban, South Africa, the genre has been gaining popularity globally in recent years. Thanks to the work of pioneering artists like DJ Lag, Okzharp, and Muzi, gqom has become one of the most exciting and innovative genres in electronic music today.
The Elements of Kwaito
Kwaito is a music genre that emerged in Johannesburg, South Africa, during the early 1990s. It is characterized by its use of African sounds and samples, often in an offbeat or percussive manner. Kwaito is also sometimes referred to as ” township house ” or “African house.”
The earliest kwaito tracks were often simply instrumental versions of existing house tracks, with the addition of a few African percussion samples. As the genre developed, vocals became more common, and lyrics began to deal with issues relevant to the black urban youth culture of South Africa. Kwaito artists often use a mixture of English and African languages in their songs.
The word kwaito is derived from the Afrikaans word kwaai, which means “angry” or “aggressive.” This reflects the fact that kwaito music often has a raw, edgy quality to it. Kwaito music is also sometimes said to have a “kaffir” sound, in reference to the South African term for black people. While this term is considered offensive by many people, it nonetheless indicates the way in which kwaito music has been influenced by elements of African-American music such as hip-hop and R&B.
The Future of South African House Music
The South African house music scene has been growing rapidly in recent years, with more and more people getting into the genre. The music is a unique blend of African and Western influences, and it is only getting more popular. In this article, we will take a look at the future of South African house music.
The Rise of Afro-House
In recent years, there has been a rising trend in South African house music that is influenced by traditional African music. This new genre, known as Afro-house, has been taking the country by storm.
Afro-house is a combination of deep house and traditional African sounds and rhythms. The result is a unique and intoxicating style of music that is perfect for dancing.
While Afro-house is still relatively new, it has already made a big impact in the South African music scene. Many of the country’s top DJs and producers are beginning to experiment with this sound, and it shows no signs of slowing down.
If you’re looking for something fresh and exciting, be sure to check out some Afro-house next time you’re in South Africa.
The Global Appeal of South African House Music
Since its inception in the late 1980s, South African house music has been steadily gaining popularity around the world. Thanks to the internet and social media, South African DJs and producers have been able to reach new audiences and build a global following for their unique brand of house music.
Today, South African house music is enjoyed by people of all ages and backgrounds, with fans all over the world. The genre has even started to make its way into the mainstream, with several South African artists achieving international success in recent years.
As South African house music continues to grow in popularity, it is clear that it has a bright future ahead. With its infectious beats and feel-good vibes, there is no doubt that this genre will continue to bring people together from all corners of the globe.
