Top SA house songs of 2022

14 Mar 2022 - 20:18

Published under the Creative Commons Licence

The story of South African music would be incomplete without house, which still commands a huge following in the country despite the emergence of genres like gqom and amapiano. In fact, house music is an important building block in the compositions of newer electronic genres, and was arguably the biggest sub-culture when the rave scene swept the country in the 1990s and 2000s. Since the rave days, SA producers have been fusing local cultures with house music, forging a sound that is unmistakably South African.

Zakes Bantwini, Nobuhle, Prince Kaybee and Skye Wanda.

In celebration of the popular genre, Music In Africa has curated a playlist the will be updated with new music as the country’s biggest producers keep on churning out the hits throughout 2022.

Tayari by Prince Kaybee ft. Idd Azizz

‘Tayari’ is a song that can be played on a road trip and in the club. It premiered on YouTube on 19 January and was produced by Prince Kaybee under LowKey Records South Africa.

Osama by Zakes Bantwini ft. Kasango

‘Osama’ was released under Paradise Sound System and is off Zakes Bantwini’s latest 11-track album Ghetto King released on 3 December 2021. The song has become a house anthem in South Africa and is accompanied by a video, which premiered on 31 December.

As’Buyeli by Heavy-K ft. Drumetic Boyz and Malumnator

This track was released in late December and is off the producer’s Respect The Drumboss 2021, Part 1 (10 Years Of Heavy-K Edition) album.

Phuze Remix by Dlala Thukzin ft. Zaba, Sir Trill, Mpura and Rascoe Kaos

The song was released in October 2021. It was produced by dance music wizard Dlala Thukzin whose versatile palette allows him to switch fluidly between Afro-tech, gqom and amapiano.

Sikelela by TNS and Kasango ft. Bukeka

‘Buleka’ was released on 28 January 2022 under Sony Music Entertainment Africa. It asks with God to bless women and children.

Girl In The Mirror by Zakes Bantwini ft. Skye Wanda

The bass-heavy track ‘Girl In The Mirror’ features Skye Wanda, who adds R&B sensibility to the composition. The song is off the KwaMashu producer’s latest album.

Sawubona by Nobuhle ft. Sun-El Musician

Released in November last year, ‘Sawubona’ is a love song that signals a promising career for Nobuhle. The song was produced by Sun-El Musician who has an incredible track record of scouting around for talented vocalists for his projects. The song is a celebration of love at first sight.

The Journey by Black Motion ft. Toshi

This one is among the tracks that best illustrates Black Motion’s ability to fuse ancestral traditions and global dance trends.

Destiny by DJ Lag ft. Amanda Black

‘Destiny’ was released in January and is intertwined with electronic dance sounds that flow perfectly with Amanda Black’s euphonious voice.

Lutar by Hypaphonik ft. Kali Mija and Offkey

‘Lutar’ was released under Stay True Sounds and is the first single off Hypaphonik’s forthcoming album set for release sometime in 2022. It features guitarist Offkey and Botswana’s Kali Maji.

I'm Fallin' by Black Coffee ft. RY X

‘I’m Fallin'’ is off Black Coffee’s Grammy-nominated album Subconsciously and features Australian singer RY X. The song was released in November 2020 and is still popular with EDM fans in 2022.

Maye by Echo Deep

This song was released in February and promises to be one of the big house songs of 2022. It was produced by Echo Deep who is well known for his features, hit singles and album releases on the House Afrika record label.

‘Uzalo’ is another hit track off Zakes Bantwini’s Ghetto King album. The song is as South African as it gets and features a deep house groove with a sensual melody on top.