Rashid Vally, the visionary behind South Africa’s iconic jazz label As-Shams, forged a legacy of revolutionary jazz that defied apartheid, and continues to inspire new generations of musicians, activists, and music lovers.
https://africasacountry.com/2024/12/the-sun-shows-the-way
southafrica
Chicco – I Need Some Money
https://amf.didiermary.fr/chicco-i-need-some-money/
Chicco‘s first hit “I Need Some Money” released in 1986.
The two young dancers (not the young kids) were dancing a new ‘ghetto’ style that later became the famous ‘Mapantsula’ style.
Edited 136d ago
The Dark City Sisters
https://amf.didiermary.fr/rss-club/dark-city-sisters-star-time/
The Dark City Sisters were a South African female vocal group formed in 1958, comprised of four young women, with several changes during the course of years. They recorded several hit records during the 1960s, helping usher in the mbaqanga style. […]
Edited 135d ago
Mahlathini & Mahotella Queens – Kazet
https://amf.didiermary.fr/mahlathini-mahotella-queens-kazet/
Surnommé “Le Lion de Soweto” pour sa voix de “groaner“, Simon Nkabinde Mahlathini est une des figures mythiques du mbaqanga. Il s’est fait connaître internationalement dans les années 1980 au sein de la formation Mahlathini et Mahotella Queens.
The Mahotella Queens est un groupe féminin sud-africain. A l’origine, c’est un groupe d’enregistrement en studio mixte, [...]
Edited 135d ago
Promote what you love...
Fruits and Veggies – A Clean Page
https://amf.didiermary.fr/fruits-veggies-clean-page/
Fruits and Veggies was a ska-punk band from Durban, led by Zinhle Purity Mkhize, quite powerful on the South African scene.
Edited 134d ago
Bongeziwe Mabandla - hlala (Mpho.Wav Remix)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d4sn-w89yE0
Yugen Blakrok – Carbon Form
https://amf.didiermary.fr/yugen-blakrok-carbon-form/
Yugen Blakrok is a South African rapper. She appeared on the track “Opps” with Vince Staples from the Kendrick Lamar-produced soundtrack to the movie Black Panther in 2018.
"Five years after releasing Return of the Astro-Goth, Yugen Blakrok descends from the vast cosmos and delivers to the world an impressive lesson in style, […]"
Edited 126d ago
Miriam Makeba & Nina Simone – Thulasizwe
https://amf.didiermary.fr/miriam-makeba-nina-simone-thulasizwe/
Nina Simone collaborated with Miriam Makeba on the song “Thulasizwe / I Shall Be Released” and on May 21st, 1961, performed at Carnegie Hall for Church of the Master’s annual benefit concert. […]
Edited 126d ago
A 30-minute Kwaito mix
https://amf.didiermary.fr/a-30-minute-kwaito-mix-via-okayafrica/
Classic Kwaito mix from 2014 via Afropop Worldwide.
In honor of the 20th anniversary of Nelson Mandela taking office as the first post-apartheid leader of South Africa, A.J. Holmes has dropped a mix of classic kwaito from the mid ’90s and early ’00s.Holmes’ mix provides a great chance to explore the genre’s roots […]
Edited 119d ago
Oumou Sangaré – Ah Ndiyah (remixed)
https://amf.didiermary.fr/oumou-sangare-boddhi-satva-ah-ndiyah/
Ah Ndiyah – Boddhi Satva’s Ancestral Soul mix
Original song from album Moussolou.
#AfroHouse #Mali #OumouSangaré #Remixed #SouthAfrica #Electro
Edited 113d ago
Old footage of Harari live
https://amf.didiermary.fr/old-footage-harari-live-kippies-club-joburg/
Harari (“Lone Wanderer”) was a legendary Afro-Rock group founded in the late 60’s by Om Alec Khaoli, Selby Ntuli and Sipho Hotstix Mabuse.
Through the years Harari supported many international acts on their tours of South Africa, including Percy Sledge, Timmy Thomas, Brook Benton, Wilson Pickett and Letta Mbulu. […]
Edited 104d ago
Coal Train – Hugh Masekela (live)
https://amf.didiermary.fr/coal-train-hugh-masekela-live/
“Coal Train (Stimela)” recorded at the “Freedom Beat” festival in June 1986.
The song, composed by Hugh Masekela in the 70s, speaks about local history and the migrant labour system around mines and reminds everyone that South Africa’s wealth and infrastructure was built on the back of labour from all over Africa. […]
Edited 104d ago
The Art of Noise – Yebo!
https://amf.didiermary.fr/memories-80smusic-art-of-noise/
The Art of Noise featuring Mahlathini & The Mahotella Queens in 1989.
So many memories…
Edited 101d ago
Chakalaka Jazz
https://amf.didiermary.fr/chakalaka-jazz/
Chakalaka Jazz (a reference to a local sauce made from tomatoes, onions and peppers) was released in November 2024 on double vinyl, CD and digital, and includes eleven gems released in South Africa between 1969 and 2003. […]
The Tailfeathers - Tail Feathers
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=meu4a30Pp7w
Edited 101d ago
Sho Madjozi – Shahumba Feat. Thomas Chauke
https://amf.didiermary.fr/sho-madjozi-shahumba-thomas-chauke/
Dr. Thomas Chauke is one of the greatest Tsonga artists. He has released an incredible 35 albums in his career, over the last 35 years. He has 8 SAMA awards (South Africa music awards).
"Dr. Thomas Chauke has never been featured by any musician, the reason is widely known to be that he’s apparently extremely […]"
Edited 100d ago
Peter Gabriel’s Biko (Wakafrika – 1994)
https://amf.didiermary.fr/peter-gabriel-biko-manu-dibango-wakafrika/
This version of Peter Gabriel’s Biko is on Manu Dibango‘s Wakafrika album (1994).
Edited 86d ago
The politics of South African sound
From #Kwaito to #Amapiano, South African music is a bridge between past and present, where cultural memory, resistance, and reinvention collide on the dancefloor.
https://africasacountry.com/2025/03/the-politics-of-south-african-sound
The Mozambican band 340ml is back on stage after almost 15 years.
They started as a backup band for hiphop acts, before releasing 2 albums, Moving (2003) and Sorry For The Delay (2008).
Midnight (from album Moving)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YssYhusEs4I
Yvonne Chaka Chaka – Umqombothi
#TGIF! Thank God, It’s Friday!
“Umqombothi” (the name in Xhosa of a traditional beer) is a famous track by Yvonne Chaka Chaka, from her “Thank You Mr. D.J.” studio album, released in 1987.It was composed by Sello “Chicco” Twala and Attie van Wyk.
Edited 71d ago
Cassper Nyovest – Ksazobalit
https://amf.didiermary.fr/cassper-nyovest-ksazobalit/
Ksazobalit (K’Sazobalit) is a song by Cassper Nyovest in 2018, where he imagines “The Day we Take Back Our Land”.
"The rapper’s tongue-in-cheek video takes inspiration from the memes and tweets about what black South Africans will do with it when land that was stolen from them by colonialists is returned."
Okayafrica
Edited 65d ago
Zawadi Yamungu performing Ngimuhle live
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D6Q68lIF838
Official audio
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4bBa6VTmNM4
Sathima Bea Benjamin – Winnie Mandela Beloved Heroine
https://amf.didiermary.fr/sathima-bea-benjamin-winnie-mandela-beloved-heroine/
About Beloved Heroine in an interview with Carol Ann Muller in Musical Echoes:
“I wanted to write this song for Winnie [Mandela], because I absolutely identified with her,” says Benjamin. “I could feel her pain,” Benjamin writes of her subject’s “soft, gentle eyes reflecting those unshed tears”.
Winnie Nomzamo Madikizela-Mandela
26 September 1936 – 2 April 2018
Edited 64d ago
Confused Love - Billy Monama
Live at Soweto Theatre - 02/2025
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9HLvWHBhypE
Internet Girl - Treat Him Like A Baby
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4czpckDF20s
A Cape Town band, mixing electronica, pop-rock & trap.