The holiday season is fast approaching or has already started, depending on how lucky you are, and I think most of us are pretty ready to let off some steam and decompress after a long, hard year. As December rolls around we thought we’d put together a selection of classic South African tracks that are sure to get you in the festive groove. From House to Hip Hop, from Indie Rock to Kwaito, we’ve tried to capture the rich diversity of the local music scene with this selection of essential local tunes from the last few decades.

Playlist Curated by: Nick Trethowan

TKZEE

Shibobo / The Final Countdown

This iconic Kwaito track featuring Bafana Bafana star Benni McCarthy was released in the build-up to South Africa’s participation in the 1998 World Cup in France. Whilst this track remains a sports anthem, even being used to celebrate recent Springbok victories, Shibobo‘s legacy encompasses so much more. Sampling Europe‘s The Final Countdown the track retains the punchy synth line of the 1986 hit while bringing in Kwaito beats and some hard-hitting verses. TKZEE were true pioneers of Kwaito and Shibobo remains one of the genre’s seminal tracks.

Brickz

Sweety Ma Baby

Another Kwaito classic, Sweety Ma Baby is a feel-good track with an anthemic sound off Brickz’s acclaimed 2005 album Face Brick. With a laidback mid-tempo sound, infectious basslines, and Brickz’s heartfelt vocals it’s no surprise that this track became a groove favourite. The chorus of “Aw Sweety My Baby” is likely to be stuck in your head for many days after revisiting this banger.

Revolution, Maduvha

Light Of My Life

This 2005 track off Revolution‘s Roots album has remained a steady favourite in the House scene. The production is characterised by an irresistible and distinctive bassline, lush synth lines, and overall melodic instrumentation. Maduvha’s richly impassioned vocals mesh perfectly with the soundscape to create something magical. Even today Light Of My Life remains a favourite at family gatherings, weddings, and throwback House sets.

Freshlyground

I’d Like

The emotionally driven track from Freshlyground‘s 2004 album Nomvula catapulted the band from local stardom to international fame (alongside the titular track). This moving track is driven by a haunting piano melody, gentle acoustic guitar, and airy synth lines. Lead singer Zolani Mahola’s powerfully delicate vocals lend even more resonance to this track about romantic longing. Most of us over a certain age have caught ourselves humming this South African classic at least a few times.

The Plastics

Caves

This Catchy Indie Rock tune, from The Plastics 2011 debut album Shark, is simultaneously introspective whilst also being made for the dancefloor. Featuring dreamy lead guitar riffs, groovy bass guitar riffs, a driving drum pattern and crooning vocals that are vaguely reminiscent of The Kooks, this track is as quintessentially Indie as they come. Still a much-loved track, Caves evokes a lot of nostalgia for me while still sounding pretty fresh today.

Kwesta ft Casper Nyovest

Ngud

This is one of the newer tracks featured in our selection dropping in 2016 as part of Kwesta’s Dakar II album, but in our opinion, Ngud is already well-established as a local Hip-Hop classic. Over the track’s laidback production of deep basslines, rhythmic drums, and chopped synth lines Hip-Hop heavyweights Kwesta and Casper Nyovest deliver very different but equally memorable verses.