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.

Contents

• A
• B
• C
• D
• E
• F
• G
• H
• I
• J
• K
• L
• M
• N
• O
• P
• Q
• R
• S
• T
• U
• V
• W
• X
• Y
• Z

A

• African Children's Choir
• Afrotraction
• AKA, hip-hop artist and record producer
• Akustika Chamber Singers, chamber choir from Pretoria
• aKing, South African acoustic rock band
• Amanda Black, Multi-award winning and platinum-selling Afro-soul singer-songwriter
• Amampondo, award-winning traditional Xhosa percussion group from Cape Town
• Anatii (born 1993), hip-hop artist and record producer
• A-Reece (born 1997), hip-hop artist and lyricist
• Leigh Ashton (born 1956), singer-songwriter from Johannesburg
• Assagai, Afro-rock band
• The Awakening, gothic rock

B

• Babes Wodumo, gqom musician
• Ballyhoo, 1980s pop band best known for the hit "Man on the Moon"
• The Bang
• Leonel Bastos (born 1956), Mozambiquan adult contemporary musician and producer working in South Africa
• Battery 9
• BlackByrd
• Busiswa, house musician
• BLK JKS
• Elvis Blue, musician and songwriter
• Boo!
• Bles Bridges (1947–2000), singer
• Stef Bos
• Cristina Boshoff
• Jonathan Butler, singer-songwriter and guitarist
• The Brother Moves On
• Brasse Vannie Kaap
• Bright Blue, 1980s pop band, best known for the hit song "Weeping"
• Buckfever Underground
• Beatenberg
• Bongo Maffin, kwaito music group
• Boom Shaka
• Bucie (born 1987), R&B and soul singer
• Guy Buttery

C

• Adrienne Camp, singer-songwriter
• Captain Stu, ska, funk, punk, and soul fusion band
• Arno Carstens, former lead singer of Springbok Nude Girls
• Cassette
• Cassper Nyovest, rapper and record producer
• Tony Cedras (born 1952), musician
• Chad, (born 1993), rapper
• Yvonne Chaka Chaka, singer
• Chris Chameleon, solo artist, lead singer and bass guitarist for Boo
• Blondie Chaplin, singer and guitarist
• Don Clarke, (Born 1955) Singer-songwriter
• Jesse Clegg (born 1988)
• Johnny Clegg (born 1953)
• Clout, 1970s rock group
• Basil Coetzee (1944–1998), saxophonist
• Mimi Coertse (born 1932), musician
• Tony Cox (born 1954), guitarist
• Crashcarburn
• Crossingpoint, Christian progressive hardcore band
• Cutting Jade
• Civil Twilight
• Crow Black Sky

D

• Da L.E.S (born 1985), hip-hop artist
• Simphiwe Dana (born 1980)
• Danny K (Daniel Koppel), R&B singer-songwriter
• Kurt Darren, singer
• Pierre de Charmoy
• Steven De Groote (1953–1989), classical pianist and winner of the Van Cliburn International Piano Competition
• Fanie de Jager (born 1949), operatic tenor
• Die Antwoord
• Die Heuwels Fantasties
• Bonginkosi Dlamini (born 1977), poet, actor and singer, also known as Zola
• Dollar Brand (born 1934)
• Donald, singer
• Dorp
• Downfall
• Dr Victor and the Rasta Rebels, reggae
• Dreamteam, hip-hop group from Durban
• Jabulani Dubazana, singer, Ladysmith Black Mambazo
• Lucky Dube (1964–2007)
• Duck and Cover, hard rock band
• Ampie du Preez, singer and guitarist
• Johnny Dyani (1945–1986), jazz double bassist

E

• Dennis East, singer
• Shane Eagle (b. 1996), hip-hop artist
• Alton Edwards, singer
• Eden, pop band
• Elaine, singer and songwriter
• Endorphine
• Emtee (b. 1992), hip-hop artist
• Dawid Engela (1931–1967), composer and musicologist
• éVoid, 1980s new wave
• Erica Eloff, soprano
• Early B (b. 1991) ,hip hop artist

F

• The Fake Leather Blues Band
• Falling Mirror
• Brenda Fassie (1964–2004)
• Ricky Fataar (born 1952), drummer
• Duncan Faure, singer-songwriter formerly with the band Rabbitt
• Mongezi Feza (1945–1975), trumpet player and flautist
• Anton Fig, drummer
• Josh Fix
• Fokofpolisiekar, Afrikaans rock band
• Foto na Dans, Afrikaans rock band
• Four Jacks and a Jill
• Johnny Fourie (1937–2007), jazz guitarist
• Freshlyground
• Fuzigish
• Fifi Cooper

G

• Hotep Idris Galeta (born 1941), jazz pianist
• Goldfish
• Anton Goosen (born 1946), singer
• Die Grafsteensangers
• Goodluck

H

• Half Price (band)
• Paul Hanmer, composer, pianist, and jazz musician
• The Helicopters
• Ken E Henson (born 1947), musician
• Henry Ate
• Sonja Herholdt
• Hog Hoggidy Hog
• Steve Hofmeyr (born 1964), singer and actor
• Die Heuwels Fantasties

I

• Abdullah Ibrahim (born 1934)
• iFANi
• Isochronous

J

• Jabu Khanyile (1957–2006)
• Jack Parow
• Robbie Jansen (1949–2010)
• Jeremy Loops (born 1986), modern folk, singer
• Jesse Jordan Band
• Theuns Jordaan (born 1971), singer and songwriter
• Claire Johnston (born 1967), lead singer of Mango Groove
• Trevor Jones (born 1949), composer
• Armand Joubert
• Joy, a vocal group
• John Edmond (born 1936), singer
• John Ireland (born 1954), singer and songwriter
• Julian Bahula, jazz drummer*Juluka
• Just Jinjer (previously Just Jinger)
• JR, rapper
• Junkyard Lipstick
• L-Tido (born 1982), hip-hop artist, aka 16V

K

• Kabelo Mabalane (born 1976), kwaito artist, former member of TKZee
• Kalahari Surfers
• Wouter Kellerman, South African flautist
• Johannes Kerkorrel (1960–2002)
• Sibongile Khumalo (born 1957), singer
• KOBUS!
• Koos Kombuis (born 1954)
• John Kongos (born 1945)
• Kongos
• Gé Korsten (1927–1999)
• David Kramer (born 1951)
• Kwesta, hip-hop artist and poet
• K.O, hip-hop artist and record producer

L

• Felix Laband, electronic musician
• Riku Lätti, songwriter, composer, music producer
• Ladysmith Black Mambazo (born 1960), isicathamiya group
• Don Laka, jazz musician, pianist, producer
• Robert Lange (born 1948), music producer
• Lani Groves
• Lark
• Jack Lerole (c.1940–2003), tin whistle player; singer
• Solomon Linda, songwriter
• Lira
• Locnville
• Roger Lucey, singer and guitarist
• Lucky Dube, singer and keyboard player

M

• Mark Haze, Rock singer
• Sipho Mabuse (born 1951), singer
• Arthur Mafokate, kwaito singer and composer
• Mahlathini and the Mahotella Queens, a mbaqanga band
• Vusi Mahlasela (born 1965)
• Makgona Tsohle Band (1964–1999), a mbaqanga instrumental band
• Bongi Makeba (1950–1985), singer-songwriter
• Miriam Makeba (1932–2008)
• Malaika (group)
• Petronel Malan (1974–), concert pianist
• Man As Machine
• Mandoza (born 1978), kwaito singer
• Mango 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 singer
• Neels Mattheus (1935-2003), traditional musician
• Dave Matthews (born 1967), lead singer and founding member of Dave Matthews Band
• Irene Mawela (born 1940), veteran singer and composer
• Illana 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 composer
• Busi Mhlongo (1947–2010), singer, dancer and composer
• Mind Assault
• Moreira Chonguica (born 1077), jazz saxophonist and producer
• Kippie Moeketsi (1925–1983), saxophonist
• Pops Mohamed (born 1949), jazz musician
• Louis Moholo (born 1940), drummer
• Matthew Mole
• Lebo Morake (aka Lebo M)
• Shaun Morgan (born 1980), singer also known as Shaun Morgan Welgemoed
• Jean Morrison
• Mshengu White Mambazo (1976–2003), junior choir of Ladysmith Black Mambazo
• Russel Mthembu, singer with Ladysmith Black Mambazo
• Moozlie (born 1992), hip-hop artist and television presenter
• Muzi (born 1991), electronic musician

N

• Nádine (born 1982), singer-songwriter
• The Narrow
• Nasty C (born 1997), hip-hop artist and record producer
• Bongani Ndodana-Breen, composer
• Jim Neversink, alternative country singer-songwriter and guitarist
• New Academics
• Steve Newman
• Bernoldus Niemand (1959–1995)
• Simon "Mahlathini" Nkabinde (1937–1999), Mbaqanga singer
• West Nkosi (1940–1998), mbaqanga musician
• No 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
• Thys Nywerheid
• Nadia Nakai (born 1990), hip-hop artist

O

• Sarah Oates, violinist and associate leader Philharmonia orchestra
• Wendy Oldfield, rock singer-songwriter
• Oskido, record producer and songwriter

P

• Jack Parow, hip-hop artist
• The Parlotones
• Al Paton, singer-songwriter, producer, and percussionist
• Peter Toussaint
• Petit Cheval
• James Phillips, singer-songwriter also known as Bernoldus Niemand
• Anke Pietrangeli (born 1982), winner of the second series of Idols
• Dizu Plaatjies, founder and former lead singer of Amampondo
• Plush
• PJ Powers (born 1960)
• Prime Circle
• Professor (born 1978), Kwaito musician
• Dudu Pukwana (1938–1990), saxophonist, pianist, and composer
• Purified, Christian hip-hop artist
• Patricia Majalisa, bubblegum artist

Q

• Qkumba Zoo

R

• Rabbitt
• Rouge (rapper)
• Trevor Rabin (born 1954), musician
• Dolly Rathebe (1928–2004)
• Laurika Rauch, Afrikaans singer
• Riddare av Koden
• Surendran Reddy (1962–2010) pianist and composer
• Riky Rick (born 1987), hip-hop artist and record producer
• Robin Auld
• Ray Phiri (1947-2017), Jazz, jazz fusion, reggae and mbaqanga musician

S

• Sandy B
• Savuka
• Robert Schneider of The Apples in Stereo
• Leon Schuster
• Seether, formerly called Saron Gas
• Gerard Sekoto (1913–1993)
• Judith Sephuma
• Jockey Shabalala (1943–2006), singer with Ladysmith Black Mambazo
• Joseph Shabalala (born 1941), lead singer and founder of Ladysmith Black Mambazo
• Msizi Shabalala (born 1975), singer with Ladysmith Black Mambazo
• Sibongiseni Shabalala (born 1973), singer with Ladysmith Black Mambazo
• Troye Sivan (born 1995), South African-born
• Thamsanqa Shabalala (born 1977), singer with Ladysmith Black Mambazo
• Thulani Shabalala (born 1968), singer with Ladysmith Black Mambazo
• Shane Eagle (born 1996), hip-hop artist and lyricist
• Shiraz, band active between 1984 - 1984
• Margaret Singana (1938–2000)
• Robert Sithole, pennywhistle player
• Skylight (band)
• Kyla-Rose Smith (born 1982), violinist and dancer
• Sonja Herholdt
• Enoch 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
• Stimela band formed in 1982
• Straatligkinders
• Sugardrive
• Valiant Swart
• Okmalumkoolkat (born 1983), hip-hop artist

T

• Tananas
• Taxi Violence
• Peta Teanet, singer
• TKZee, kwaito group
• Hilda Tloubatla (born 1942), lead singer of Mahotella Queens, and singer in Mahlathini and the Mahotella Queens
• Tokollo Tshabalala, kwaito singer also known as Magesh
• Peter Toussaint, singer-songwriter and guitar player
• Toya Delazy, pop singer and pianist
• Tribe after Tribe
• Tuks, hip-hop artist
• Tumi and the Volume
• Tweak

U

• Uhuru— Kwaito and afropop music group
• Urban Creep

V

• Bobby van Jaarsveld (born 1987), singer-songwriter and actor
• Bok van Blerk (born 1978)
• Jason van Wyk (born 1990), musician, composer
• Van Coke Kartel
• Amor Vittone (born 1972)
• Valiant Swart (born 1965)

W

• Watershed
• Wargrave
• Shaun Welgemoed (born 1978)
• Heinz Winckler (born 1978), singer who won the first series of Idols
• Winston's Jive Mixup
• Wonderboom
• Markus Wormstorm, electronic musician and composer

Y

• Pretty Yende (born 1985), operatic soprano from Piet Retief, Mpumalanga
• YoungstaCPT (born 1991), rapper and songwriter

Z

• Zahara, singer-songwriter and poet
• Zebra & Giraffe
• Karen Zoid (born 1978)
• Zola (born 1977)
• Zonke (born 1979)

See also

• List of Afrikaans singers
• Music of Namibia
• Music of the Netherlands
• Music of South Africa

References