Since its launch in South Africa, Spotify has become a hub for music lovers, with user-generated playlists seeing remarkable growth.
In September 2019, there were around 3 billion playlists on the platform, a number that has nearly tripled to 8 billion in 2024. South Africans, especially older millennials aged 35 to 44, have embraced playlist creation, particularly for weddings and jazz music.
The wedding seasons from September to December and February to April see a notable increase in playlist creation, showcasing the vibrant cultural diversity of South Africa.
Playlist names often incorporate local languages, with terms like “umabo,” referring to the closing ceremony of a traditional Zulu wedding, and “lenyalo,” used in Sepedi for weddings.
Other terms like “ukwenda” and “mucato” showcase the diversity of wedding traditions celebrated in Mzansi.
The playlists frequently include traditional Sepedi wedding songs, which inspire well-known dances such as ‘step sa lenyalo.’ Notably, over 280 playlists have been titled “tsa manyalo,” while “lenyalo” appears in over 930 playlists.
Additionally, there are more than 600 tracks featuring the word “Makoti” (bride) in their titles, highlighting the importance of music in these celebrations.
Since 2018, some of the most popular South African tracks added to wedding playlists include "Ndihamba Nawe" by Mafikizolo, "Kgomo (Wedding Song)" by Jonas Gwangwa, and "Vuli Ndlela" and "Wedding Day" by Brenda Fassie, along with "Emlanjeni" by Mafikizolo.
Leading artists featured in these playlists are Mafikizolo, Brenda Fassie, Kurt Darren, Pleasure Tsa Manyalo and Malaika.
Additionally, jazz music is also thriving on Spotify. Interestingly, more males listen to jazz than females, with the gap between young Gen Zs and older millennials being quite small—20% and 23%, respectively.
Big cities like Johannesburg, Cape Town, and Pretoria dominate jazz listening trends, with playlist names often featuring genres like “African Jazz,” “Marabi,” “Kwela,” and “Jive.”
This resurgence of jazz on Spotify reflects a revival of historical and heritage music, linking back to significant eras like apartheid.
Marabi, kwela and jive are closely associated with cultural landmarks such as Sophiatown, bringing the rich history of South African music to the forefront.
Since 2018, some of the most popular jazz tracks added to Spotify include "When Days Are Dark, Friends Are Few" by Sipho Gumede, a heartfelt song that talks about friendship during tough times.
Then there's "Kgomo (Wedding Song)" by Jonas Gwangwa, a staple at many weddings that brings everyone together. Hugh Masekela’s "Thanayi" is another gem, showcasing his incredible trumpet skills and his knack for meaningful lyrics that hit home for many South Africans.
Caiphus Semenya's "Matswale" features his smooth vocals and storytelling, making it a favourite for jazz lovers. Plus, "Morwa," also by Jonas Gwangwa, is another track that mixes traditional sounds with modern jazz vibes.
When it comes to key artists in these playlists, Hugh Masekela stands out as the "father of South African jazz".
His music was a powerful voice during the anti-apartheid movement and continues to inspire. Sipho Gumede is known for his fantastic bass guitar skills, while Jonas Gwangwa has made a name for himself as a top composer and arranger.
Jonathan Butler adds a unique trait of blending jazz with pop and R&B, and Stimela, a band loved for their mix of jazz with other genres, keeps the sound fresh and exciting.
Together, these artists and their tracks not only celebrate our rich jazz heritage but also show how the genre continues to evolve and thrive in our music scene.
Recently, Spotify launched curated playlists like the Mzansi Jazz Archive, a rich collection of South African jazz through the decades, and It's A Wedding Day, featuring classic Mzansi wedding songs.