Apple Music celebrates SA Heritage Month with Amaqhawe campaign

Amaqhawe, which means ‘hero’, features curated guest playlists from South African icons Yvonne Chaka Chaka, TKZee, Rebecca Malope, DJ Ready D, Oskido, Judith Sephuma, Thandiswa Mazwai, Mafikizolo, Khuli Chana, Laurika Rauch and The Soil. The campaign will also include an Amaqhawe playlist curated by Apple Music’s editorial team, featuring songs from some of South Africa’s biggest artists across all decades, including Brenda Fassie, Letta Mbulu, Johnny Clegg, Miriam Makeba, Ladysmith Black Mambazo and Mandoza.

Apple Music has also commissioned a series of exclusive Home Sessions from artists like Mango Groove, Simphiwe Dana, Mi Casa and Springbok Nude Girls. Each Home Session release features the artists reimagining their signature songs and recording a cover version reinterpreting their favourite South African song of all time.

“This Apple Music Amaqhawe playlist celebrates some of the many classic, old-school voices and rhythms of South Africa with a dash of the contemporary,” Thandiswa Mazwai said. “It is a nod to our unmistakable harmonies and that unshakable groove.”

TKZee said: “Our Apple Music Amaqhawe playlist is a mix of songs that inspired us to make music combined with a list of songs of a generation that we as TKZee inspired. It feels good to have taken and to have had the privilege to give back tremendously.”

DJ Ready D says his playlist is a selection of music that captures the sonic and rhythmic tapestry of “our great country. Some of the music influenced me as a child growing up while others completely transformed and revolutionised my creativity, career and personality.”

Oskido described his compilation as a sonic backdrop to his musical journey over the years, with Judith Sephuma seeing her playlist as a collection songs she would listen to on a daily basis.

Mafikizolo say their collection is a reflection of their identity as South Africans, while Rebecca Malope defined her selection as timeless, with music that covers all generations.

“That's what makes the songs and artists on my Apple Music Amaqhawe playlist the greatest of all time. They are songs my mother used to love, I grew up enjoying and now even my kids know and love them,” she said.

Rapper Khuli Chana said his playlist was inspired by a new generation of South African musicians and creatives who inspired his creativity and music style, while a capella group The Soil said their compilation was curated to honour “the icons that came before us and to be continuously inspired by their magical creations breathes life into our music and gives it the same golden touch that informs the degree of its timelessness.”