Apple Music announces most streamed SA artists to celebrate Heritage Day

Heritage Day is a public holiday when South Africans are encouraged to celebrate their culture and the diversity of their beliefs and traditions.

The list features amapiano artist Kabza De Small who is Apple Music’s most streamed South African artist, while R&B singer Elaine’s chart-topping debut EP Elements is the most streamed South African Album.

“I'm pleased, honoured and humbled to accept this award and to join past recipients,” Kabza De Small said. “As musicians, it is our dream to be recognised. It gives me great pleasure to be awarded by Apple Music as the most streamed South African artist to date. The amapiano genre was generated long before it became commercial. The genre has surpassed my expectations. I don’t know how else I would be able to express myself without music. Thank you so much to all my fans.”

Elaine said: “I am so humbled and grateful that my music has been received with so much love and adoration. This project changed my life forever, and seeing how much people connect with it till this day, warms my heart. Thank you to every single person that's been streaming and supporting me. It wouldn't be possible without you. I love and adore you guys! Thank you to Apple Music for the incredible support since its release. I can't wait to share new music with you all very soon. Stay safe. Love and light.”

‘Drive’, a song by DJ Black Coffee and David Guetta featuring Delilah Montagu, is the most streamed South African song. 

Black Coffee said he was blown away to hear that the track is the most streamed song in South Africa. “It's an honour and a privilege to be able to carry the flag of my country and to continue to expand the world's palette on the sounds of the globe,” he said.

Meanwhile, Shazam has also released the Most Shazamed South African Artists and Songs of All Time list. Kabza De Small again took the top artist spot while ‘LiYoshona’ by Kwiish SA featuring Njelic, MalumNator and De Mthuda is the most shazamed song.

Below is Apple Music’s Top 10 most streamed artists, albums and releases that South Africans enjoy on repeat:

Most Streamed South African Artists of All Time

1. Kabza De Small
2. DJ Maphorisa
3. Nasty C
4. Joyous Celebration
5. Spoegwolf
6. AKA
7. A-Reece
8. Black Coffee
9. Sjava
10. Cassper Nyovest


Most Streamed South African Albums of All Time

1. Elaine – Elements
2. Kabza De Small – I Am The King of Amapiano: Sweet & Dust
3. Nasty C – Strings and Blings
4. Mlindo The Vocalist – Emakhaya
5. Samthing Soweto – Isphithiphithi
6. Kabza De Small & DJ Maphorisa – The Return of the Scorpion Kings
7. Kabza De Small & DJ Maphorisa – Scorpion Kings
8. Kabza De Small & DJ Maphorisa – Scorpion Kings Live
9. Sjava – Umqhele
10. AKA – Touch My Blood

Most Streamed South African Songs of All Time

1. Black Coffee & David Guetta ft. Delilah Montagu – ‘Drive’
2. Elaine – ‘You’re The One’
3. Samthing Soweto ft. Sha Sha, DJ Maphorisa & Kabza De Small – ‘Akulaleki’
4. Kabza De Small & DJ Maphorisa ft. Aymos, Samthing Soweto, Myztro – ‘eMcimbini’
5. Shekhinah – ‘Suited’
6. DJ Zinhle ft. Mvzzle & Rethabile – ‘Umlilo’
7. Busta 929 & Mpura ft. Zuma, Mr JazziQ, Lady Du – ‘Umsebenzi Wethu’
8. Goldfish ft. Diamond Thug – ‘Deep of the Night’
9. AKA ft. Kiddominant – ‘Fela In Versace’
10. Sun-El Musician & Ami Faku – ‘Into Ingawe’

Most Shazamed South African Artists of All Time

1. Kabza De Small
2. DJ Maphorisa
3. Mr JazziQ
4. De Mthuda
5. Busta 929
6. Sir Trill
7. Cassper Nyovest
8. DJ Tira
9. Reece Madlisa
10. Mpura

Most Shazamed South African Songs of All Time

1. Kwiish SA ft. Njelic, MalumNator & De Mthuda – ‘LiYoshona’
2. Musa Keys ft. Sir Trill & Nobantu Vilakazi – ‘Vula Mlomo’
3. Busta 929 & Mpura ft. Zuma, Mr JazziQ, Lady Du & Reece Madlisa – ‘Umsebenzi Wethu’
4. Soa Mattrix & Soulful G ft. Shaun 101 – ‘uThando’
5. Mthandazo Gatya ft. DJ Manzo SA & Comado – ‘Senzeni’
6. Boohle ft. Njelic, Ntokzin & De Mthuda – ‘Wamuhle’
7. Elaine – ‘You're the One’
8. DJ Maphorisa & Tyler ICU ft. Sir Trill, Daliwonga & Kabza De Small – ‘Banyana’
9. Black Coffee & David Guetta ft. Delilah Montagu – ‘Drive’
10. De Mthuda ft. Sir Trill & Da Muziqal Chef – ‘John Wick’