Ending the year on a high note
WITH 2015 almost a wrap, here is a quick recap of the good, the bad and the funny of this year in homegrown music.
When Zahara made a country comeback
Zahara returned to the scene with Country Girl – even appearing on the cover with a horse! It was reported that the album sold 20 000 copies on the first day of its release and has since gone platinum.
When the industry rallied behind Hog Hoggidy Hog
George Bacon, the frontman of Hog Hoggidy Hog, unexpectedly died as the group was making a comeback. The band were celebrating 20 years in the music industry this year. Francois Van Coke, The Rudimentals, George van der Spuy and more joined the remaining members of the band on stage in tribute to the fallen pork rocker.
When Black Coffee proved he was a home bru
This house music maverick has had an amazing year. Not only did he get co-signs from the likes of Drake, but he also won the Breakthrough DJ of the Year gong at the DJ Awards in Ibiza. He then released his Pieces of Me album which features We Dance Again with Nakhane Toure on vocals. The dance went viral and Black Coffee retained his position as one of Mzansi’s finest.
When we lost Flabba and R Mashesha
This year, hip hop veteran, Nkuli “Flabba” Habedi died after he was allegedly stabbed by his girlfriend, Sindiwe Manqele. Sibusiso “R Mashesha” Khomo, who was a third of the popular Durban kwaito group, Big Nuz, also died after an operation. Both will be sorely missed.
When “cinematic pop” finally became a thing
From Monark to Connell Cruise, a group of indie kids has armed themselves with guitars and synths to make anthems that fall under the “cinematic pop” genre. If radio airplay is anything to go by, there is a legion of fans who like their pop cinematic.
When “Nomvula” stopped being just a name
Nathi’s hit song, Nomvula, can be heard everywhere from weddings to taxi ranks and salons. Nomvula is no longer just a girl’s name. It’s the song that brought on Nathi’s reign.
When hip hop sales rose
From Cassper Nyovest’s Refiloe going platinum to iFani being roasted on social media for his #1stDayGold campaign, mainstream South African hip hop has had a good year. AKA’s Levels album went gold, while K.O just kept pumping out music videos for his platinum album, Skhanda Republic. Oh yeah, this year, gold status has been reduced from 20 000 to 15 000 copies sold.
When Karen Zoid ruled iTunes
kykNet’s Republiek van Zoid TV show sees rocker, Karen Zoid, talk with musicians before a collaboration is sparked. Each week, the collabo would be uploaded onto iTunes for sale. And each week, every new song would shoot right up to the No 1 spot on the Top 40 SA with iTunes charts. Ten times in a row! Zoid sang with Jack Parow, Bobby van Jaarsveld and more.
When Cassper filled up the Dome
Yeah, we know. Nyovest and AKA went at it with a lukewarm and really catchy diss song, respectively. Nyovest’s biggest musical moment probably came in the form of him putting himself out there for potential ridicule when he decided he wanted to sell 20 000 tickets for a one-night-only concert. After months of campaigning, he finally did it. Using the #FillUpTheDome hashtag, he also inspired others to dream bigger.
When DJ Zinhle went pink
DJ Zinhle’s FUSE Academy – which teaches women how to DJ – turned six this year. To celebrate, she and business partner and BFF, Nomndeni Mdaki, launched The Pink Revolution Conference. The music-centred conference targeted an all-female audience and was insightful.
When Oppikoppi turned 21
The most-respected rock music festival in the land turned 21 this year. It continues to be on many people’s bucket lists because of the international and local acts that grace its stages.
When everyone wrote a book
Kabelo Mabalane’s memoir, I Ran For My Life, was interesting, while Jack Parow’s biography, Die Ou Met Die Snor By Die Bar, made waves. Nakhane Toure wrote Piggy Boy’s Blues, a novel set in his home town of Alice.
When we wanted to go to Mswenkofontein
Except it wasn’t an actual place. The guys from Boyzn Bucks broke onto the scene a few years ago, but individually made their own marks this year. Okmalumkoolkat is still at the forefront of the primustof movement, Riky Rick put out hit after hit for himself and others and $tilo Magolide is next up.
What was your favourite music moment of 2015? Tell us @IOLtonight on Twitter.