List of South African musicians
This list of South African musicians includes notable individual musicians as well as musical ensembles whose members are South African by birth or nationality.
A
Afrotraction (Mzwandile Moya; born 1983), R&B and neo-soul musician and producerAKA (1988–2023), hip-hop artist and record produceraKing , acoustic rock bandAkustika Chamber Singers , chamber choir from PretoriaSizwe Alakine , Amapiano musician (aka Reason, rapper)Amampondo , traditional Xhosa percussion group from Cape Town Anatii (born 1993), hip-hop artist and record producerA-Reece (born 1997), hip-hop artist and lyricistLeigh Ashton (born 1956), singer-songwriter from JohannesburgAssagai , Afro-rock band active in the early 1970sRobin Auld , singer songwriterThe Awakening , gothic rockAymos , singer songwriter
B
Julian Bahula (1938–2023), jazz drummerBallyhoo , 1980s pop band best known for the hit "Man on the Moon"Zakes Bantwini [ 1] Leonel Bastos (born 1956), Mozambiquan adult contemporary musician and producer working in South AfricaBattery 9 , industrial music project from JohannesburgBeatenberg Amanda Black (born 1993), Afro-soul singer-songwriterBlackByrd , pop trioBLK JKS , rock bandElvis Blue , musician and songwriterBongo Maffin , kwaito music groupBoo! , bandBoom Shaka , kwaito music groupStef Bos (born 1961), singerCristina Boshoff (born 1980), folk pop singer and pianistBrasse Vannie Kaap , hip-hop groupBles Bridges (1947–2000), singerBright Blue , 1980s pop band, best known for the hit song "Weeping" The Brother Moves On , performance art ensembleBuckfever Underground , folk/punk/art bandBucie (born 1987), R&B and soul singerBusiswa (born 1988), house musicianJonathan Butler (born 1961), singer-songwriter and guitaristGuy Buttery (born 1983), guitar player
C
Adrienne Camp (born 1981), singer-songwriterCaptain Stu , ska, funk, punk, and soul fusion bandArno Carstens (born 1972), former lead singer of Springbok Nude Girls Louise Carver (born 1979), folk rock singer-songwriter and pianistCassette , rock bandCassper Nyovest (born 1990), rapper and record producerTony Cedras (born 1952), musicianChad , (born 1993), rapperYvonne Chaka Chaka (born 1965), singerChris Chameleon (born 1971), solo artist, lead singer and bass guitarist for Boo Blondie Chaplin (born 1951), singer and guitaristJesse Clegg (born 1988)Johnny Clegg (1953–2019)Clout , 1970s rock groupBasil Coetzee (1944–1998), saxophonistMimi Coertse (born 1932), soprano singerFifi Cooper (born 1991), singerTony Cox (born 1954), guitaristCrashcarburn , rock bandCrossingpoint , Christian progressive hardcore bandCutting Jade , five-piece rock groupCivil Twilight , four-piece rock bandCrow Black Sky , black metal bandCosta Titch (1995–2023), Amapiano rapper and dancer
D
Da L.E.S (born 1985), hip-hop artistSimphiwe Dana (born 1980)Danny K (Daniel Koppel), R&B singer-songwriterKurt Darren , singerPierre de Charmoy (born 1961), singer-songwriterSteven De Groote (1953–1989), classical pianist and winner of the Van Cliburn International Piano Competition Fanie de Jager (born 1949), operatic tenorDie Antwoord , alternative hip hop group[ 2] Die Heuwels Fantasties , Afrikaans rock bandBonginkosi Dlamini (born 1977), poet, actor and singer, also known as ZolaDollar Brand (born 1934)Donald (born 1985), singerDorp , rock bandDownfall , ska and punk bandDr Victor and the Rasta Rebels, reggaeDreamteam , hip-hop group from Durban Jabulani Dubazana , singer, Ladysmith Black Mambazo Lucky Dube (1964–2007)Ampie du Preez , singer and guitaristJohnny Dyani (1945–1986), jazz double bassistDJ Speedsta , hip-hop DJ
E
F
The Fake Leather Blues Band Falling Mirror , alternative rock bandBrenda Fassie (1964–2004)Ricky Fataar (born 1952), drummerDuncan Faure , singer-songwriter formerly with the band Rabbitt Mongezi Feza (1945–1975), trumpet player and flautistAnton Fig (born 1952), drummerJosh Fix , singer-songwriterFokofpolisiekar , Afrikaans rock bandFoto na Dans , Afrikaans rock bandFour Jacks and a Jill , folk rock ensembleJohnny Fourie (1937–2007), jazz guitaristFreshlyground , Afro-fusion bandFuzigish , ska punk band
G
H
Half Price , punk rock bandPaul Hanmer , composer, pianist, and jazz musicianThe Helicopters , pop rock band active in the 1980sKen E Henson (born 1947), musicianHenry Ate , bandSonja Herholdt (born 1952), singer-songwriterHog Hoggidy Hog , bandSteve Hofmeyr (born 1964), singer and actor
I
J
Jabu Khanyile (1957–2006)Robbie Jansen (1949–2010)Jeremy Loops (born 1986), modern folk, singerJesse Jordan Band
Theuns Jordaan (born 1971), singer and songwriterClaire Johnston (born 1967), lead singer of Mango Groove Trevor Jones (born 1949), composerArmand Joubert (born 1995), singer-songwriterJoy , a vocal groupJohn Edmond (born 1936), singerJohn Ireland (born 1954), singer and songwriterJuluka , bandJust Jinjer (previously Just Jinger)JR , rapperJunkyard Lipstick , five-piece, female metal bandL-Tido (born 1982), hip-hop artist, aka 16V
K
Kabelo Mabalane (born 1976), kwaito artist, former member of TKZee Kabza de small , an amapiano producer and DJKalahari Surfers Kamo Mphela , an amapiano musician and dancerWouter Kellerman (born 1961), flautistJohannes Kerkorrel (1960–2002)Sibongile Khumalo (born 1957), singerFrancois Klark , pop singer based in CanadaKOBUS! , bandKoos Kombuis (born 1954)John Kongos (born 1945)Kongos , bandGé Korsten (1927–1999)David Kramer (born 1951)Kwesta , hip-hop artist and poetK.O , hip-hop artist and record producerKyle Watson , record producer and DJ
L
Felix Laband , electronic musicianRiku Lätti , songwriter, composer, music producerLadysmith Black Mambazo (born 1960), isicathamiya groupDon Laka , jazz musician, pianist, producerRobert Lange (born 1948), music producerLark , bandJack Lerole (c. 1940–2003), tin whistle player; singerSolomon Linda (1909–1962), songwriterLira (Lerato Moipone Molapo; born 1979), singerLocnville , electro hop music duoSteve Louw (born 1955), singer-songwriterRoger Lucey , singer and guitaristLucky Dube , singer and keyboard player
M
Mark Haze , rock singerSipho Mabuse (born 1951), singerArthur Mafokate , kwaito singer and composerMahlathini and the Mahotella Queens , a mbaqanga bandVusi Mahlasela (born 1965)Patricia Majalisa , bubblegum artistMakgona Tsohle Band (1964–1999), a mbaqanga instrumental bandBongi Makeba (1950–1985), singer-songwriterMiriam Makeba (1932–2008)Malaika (group) Petronel Malan (born 1974), concert pianistMan As Machine Mandoza (born 1978), kwaito singerMango Groove Mildred Mangxola (born 1944), singer in Mahlathini and the Mahotella Queens and member of the Mahotella Queens Manfred Mann MarcAlex , group known for the hit "Quick Quick"Josef Marais (1905–1978)Martin PK Hugh Masekela (born 1939)Dorothy Masuka (born 1935), jazz singerNeels Mattheus (1935–2003), traditional musicianDave Matthews (born 1967), lead singer and founding member of Dave Matthews Band Irene Mawela (born 1940), veteran singer and composerIllana May Abednego Mazibuko , singer with Ladysmith Black Mambazo Albert Mazibuko (born 1948), singer with Ladysmith Black Mambazo Thandiswa Mazwai (born 1976)Chris McGregor (1936–1990), jazz pianist and composerBusi Mhlongo (1947–2010), singer, dancer and composerMind Assault Moreira Chonguica (born 1077), jazz saxophonist and producerKippie Moeketsi (1925–1983), saxophonistPops Mohamed (born 1949), jazz musicianLouis Moholo (born 1940), drummerMatthew Mole Moonchild Sanelly (Sanelisiwe Twisha, born 1987), musician and dancerMoozlie (born 1992), hip-hop artist and television presenterLebo Morake (aka Lebo M)Shaun Morgan (born 1980), singer also known as Shaun Morgan WelgemoedIke Moriz (born 1972), singer, composer and lyricistJean Morrison , alternative rock singer-songwriterMshengu White Mambazo (1976–2003), junior choir of Ladysmith Black Mambazo Mthunzi, amapiano singer-songwriter
Colbert Mukwevho , reggae singerRussel Mthembu , singer with Ladysmith Black Mambazo Muzi (born 1991), electronic musicianMVZZLE (born 1995 (1995 ) ), record producerMsaki (born 1988) singer-songwriter, composer[ 3]
N
Nádine (born 1982), singer-songwriterThe Narrow Nasty C (born 1997), hip-hop artist and record producerBongani Ndodana-Breen , composerJim Neversink , alternative country singer-songwriter and guitaristNew Academics Steve Newman Bernoldus Niemand (1959–1995)Simon "Mahlathini" Nkabinde (1937–1999), Mbaqanga singerNkosazana Daughter , an upcoming amapiano artistWest Nkosi (1940–1998), mbaqanga musicianNo Friends of Harry Nobesuthu Mbadu (born 1945), singer in Mahlathini and the Mahotella Queens and member of the Mahotella Queens Siphiwo Ntshebe (1974–2010), operatic tenor from New Brighton , Port Elizabeth Ashton Nyte , solo artist as well as lead singer and producer of The Awakening Nadia Nakai (born 1990), hip-hop artist
O
Sarah Oates , violinist and associate leader Philharmonia orchestraWendy Oldfield , rock singer-songwriterOskido (born 1967), record producer and songwriter
P
Jack Parow (born 1982), hip-hop artistThe Parlotones , indie rock bandAl Paton , singer-songwriter, producer, and percussionistOrville Peck , country musicianPetit Cheval , New Romantic rock groupRay Phiri (1947–2017), Jazz, jazz fusion, reggae and mbaqanga musicianJames Phillips , singer-songwriter also known as Bernoldus NiemandAnke Pietrangeli (born 1982), winner of the second series of Idols Dizu Plaatjies , founder and former lead singer of Amampondo PJ Powers (born 1960)Prime Circle , rock bandProfessor (born 1978), Kwaito musicianDudu Pukwana (1938–1990), saxophonist, pianist, and composerPurified , Christian hip-hop artist
Q
R
S
Sandy B , house music singerSavuka , bandRobert Schneider of The Apples in Stereo Leon Schuster (born 1951), singerSeether , formerly called Saron Gas, hard rock and alternative metal bandGerard Sekoto (1913–1993)Judith Sephuma (born 1974), jazz and Afro-pop singerJockey Shabalala (1943–2006), singer with Ladysmith Black Mambazo Joseph Shabalala (born 1941), lead singer and founder of Ladysmith Black MambazoMsizi Shabalala (born 1975), singer with Ladysmith Black MambazoSibongiseni Shabalala (born 1973), singer with Ladysmith Black MambazoTroye Sivan (born 1995), South African-bornThamsanqa Shabalala (born 1977), singer with Ladysmith Black MambazoThulani Shabalala (born 1968), singer with Ladysmith Black MambazoShane Eagle (born 1996), hip-hop artist and lyricistShiraz , band active 1984–1984Margaret Singana (1938–2000)Robert Sithole , pennywhistle playerSkylight , pop rock bandKyla-Rose Smith (born 1982), violinist and dancerEnoch Sontonga , teacher, lay-preacher and composer who wrote "Nkosi Sikelel' iAfrika "South African National Youth Orchestra Springbok Nude Girls Zanne Stapelberg (born 1977), opera soprano Dale Stewart (born 1979)Sterling EQ , Classical crossover groupStimela , Afro-fusion band formed in 1982Straatligkinders , Afrikaans rock bandSugardrive , rock groupValiant Swart (born 1965)Okmalumkoolkat (born 1983), hip-hop artistStogie T , hip-hop artistSun-El Musician , DJ and music producer
T
Tananas Taxi Violence Peta Teanet , singerTKZee , kwaito groupHilda Tloubatla (born 1942), lead singer of Mahotella Queens , and singer in Mahlathini and the Mahotella Queens Tokollo Tshabalala , kwaito singer also known as MageshPeter Toussaint , singer-songwriter and guitar playerToya Delazy , pop singer and pianistTribe After Tribe , alternative rock bandTuks , hip-hop artistTumi and the Volume , hip-hop music ensembleTweak , alternative rock bandTyla , a South African pop artist
U
V
W
Y
Z
See also
References
