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2022 saw the world start to properly re-open following multiple pandemic lockdowns and the musical floodgates came with it. If 2021 was breathless then 2022 was unrelenting in it’s release of music. From big mainstream acts to smaller and newer … Continue reading Next Gen Greats’ Top 22 Songs of 2022.
There’s a feeling of absolute euphoria I felt the first time I heard what I sounded like on a final mix. A joy that had me jumping with pure abandon because I was experiencing a childhood fantasy coming to life. … Continue reading JWA Diaries: Don’t Look Back’s Letter
Dor Do Povo is an unrestrained cry for attention from people who don’t feel valued by society and are hyperaware of that lack of care. Continue reading Dor Do Povo – Maglera Doe Boy featuring Ason [produced by MashBeatz], Our Songs of 2022 Highlight
Workin’ On Me is an aching piece of trapsoul for when you’re picking up the pieces but aren’t yet whole. It’s a cathartic anthem that finds September at his current best whilst adding to FLVME’s sterling catalogue of enduring torchers. Continue reading Workin’ On Me – FLVME featuring Ben September [produced by FLVME, ZWAYETOVEN & Kewand], Our Songs of 2022 Highlight
Kabza De Small has an incredible knack of imbuing a sense of spirituality into how his music feels even without lyrical context; and Xola is brimming with it. Continue reading Xola – Kabza De Small featuring Nobuhle, Ze2 & Young Stunna [produced by Kabza De Small], Our Songs of 2022 Highlight
Sondela is a song about cherishing love, delivered by some of the savviest musicians within the crossover space. It’s dependable and it endures as a solid addition to South Africa’s canon of smooth love songs. Continue reading Sondela – Venom & Shishiliza featuring Raspy, Yumbs, Blxckie, Riky Rick & Tshego [produced by Yumbs], Our Songs of 2022 Highlight
Never Ride’s a thrilling anthem that continues to show that South African hip-hop is in a blooming spring. It’s an ascendant moment that saw these contemporary hip-hop trailblazers triumph and I’ve been rooting for them to win. Continue reading Never Ride – MashBeatz featuring Maglera Doe Boy & Thato Saul [produced by MashBeatz], Our Songs of 2022 Highlight
Jumaima is addictive and feel-good swooning from some of South Africa’s premium crooners. It’s got a classic groove that makes you want to sway with somebody. Continue reading Jumaima – Mlindo The Vocalist featuring Ishmael [produced by Howard Gomba], Our Songs of 2022 Highlight
“Statues in my image never made for me…” Amy Lilley released one of my favourite South African pop albums of 2022 with Petrichor. Whilst other personal favourites like Miles and One More Night capture the re-energizing essence that the concept … Continue reading Heavy – Amy Lilley featuring Moonga K. [produced by Greg Abrahams], Our Songs of 2022 Highlight
30minutes to Soweto is a conscious rap song that uses Woody Guthrie’s American folk anthem This Land is Your Land as a reference to paint a portrait of his own home grounds.
The track is a sobering listen that sees Priddy Ugly recounting tales from his family and upbringing. Continue reading 30minutes to Soweto – Priddy Ugly [produced by Shooterkhumz], Top 22 Songs of 2022
Our next selection is a piece of African folk music that’s crying for a culture it can feel eroding. Ziyobalwa is sorrowful music that sooths in how it wallows. It’s a cry for preservation from a bold voice fighting for his space and culture. Continue reading Ziyobalwa – Xhanti Nokwali [produced by Nduduzo Makhatini], Top 22 Songs of 2022
Next Gen Greats 