Who brought their A-game in 2016? Well lets discuss that. 2016 has been a rollercoaster for SA music scene not forgetting the highs and lows (which we discussed here).
But let’s take this moment and give an applaud to those who killed in 2016. A number of artists made 2016 a great year for the music scene, from new music, collaborations and awards. Below we have put together a list of ‘new talent’ artists (PLS note that) that made a massive impact in the scene this year, and this is measured in influence, collaborations, impact of their music/projects and lastly dominating the Radio/TV airplay.
Here is the list:
A-Reece
Fresh outta Ambitiouz Entertainment , well the boy has been dropping 16’s from way back with the influence of his brother PJay ; one half of B3nchMarQ. This year A-Reece proved himself with dropping major singles that dominated the Hip Hop scene. All this became solid when he released his much anticipated debut album ‘Paradise’ which was sold out at almost every MUSICA store on the day of release. The tracklist includes his lead singles; Couldn’t , Mgani, Sebenza and Zimbali which paved way for him on radio/TV platform. Wrapping up his year, he was crowned Lyricist of the Year at the 2016 SA Hip Hop Awards.
Sjava
Another one from Ambitiouz Entertainment….Sjava. His own unique style of music is what will always make him so impactful in the scene. From releasing his lead singles Ek’seni, Uthando and ofcoz features of Ameni and Vura. He also managed to wrap his year with releasing his debut album ‘Isina Muva’ which is a true identity of his long-lived passion for Maskandi music. The project has put him in a solid position in the industry, and we predict he will be involved with a number of projects in 2017.
Amanda Black
When it comes to Amanda Black this is an obvious one. She proved herself on this one. The super talented and sensational – Amanda Black released her new studio album ‘Amazulu’ this year. And recording Amanda is an excellent move by Ambitiouz Entertainment. Most will remember her voice from Season 11 of Idols SA, and since then she never looked back into creating her own story and sharing her style of music inspired by Brenda Fassie, Thandiswa Mazwai, Simphiwe Dana.
Amanda introduced herself to many with her signature single ‘Amazulu’ which drove her album to even go platinum 3 weeks after release. Well what more can we say. You can definitely tell that 2017 is the year we will see Amanda clean out most of the awards. Mark our words on this one!
Gemini Major
We call Gemini ‘The most Demanded’….Coz everyone wants his piece of work. After paving his way into the scene with a number of singles back in 2015, this Malawian-born boy definitely didn’t sleep on 2016. Gemini Major is famously known for his ragga-flavour on the mic and dropping creative elements on the production. This year he delivered solid work on ‘Walking and Dabbing’ with Aewon Wolf, his very own smash Ragga Ragga, producing Juice Back by Nasty C, Speedsta’s Mayo, Lifestyle by Da L.E.S to mention a few and further being called to produced 2 songs on this year’s Coke Studio season.
The list goes on from working on some of the project released this year….
His impact in the Hip Hop scene is very much felt, and this boy will still shine more in 2017.
Big Star Johnson
Like Big Star said…’this is my year’. Lets give him credit for putting in the work in 2016. Ofcoz his catalogue is not big yet, but his name was all over this year. Big Star blew after being crowned ‘Vuzu Hustle’ winner back in 2015, then in 2016 he did a collabo with Aewon Wolf on his signature single ‘My Year’. From there on he has delivered work with DJ Sliqe , Shane Eagle and Kyle Deutsch. It doesn’t end there, come early 2017, Big Star will be releasing his much anticipated EP. Hope you ready for this one!
King Monada
Mr Moreki aka King Monada needs no introduction, and you will understand why he made it to this list. This Molobedu-born singer is best known for his hit song titled ‘Ska Bhora Moreki’ which exposed his name to major platforms in 2016. From his humble beginnings back in 2004 as a dancer, then started singing in 2007. Monada has a 13-track album titled ‘Monna Waka’ released in 2015. After making such a buzz in 2016, we’re all anticipating to see what he will bring for 2017.
Babes Wodumo
uBabes Wodumo is another major name in 2016 for the SA music scene. Babes Wodumo has been in the industry for years now, from her days as a dancer for Afrotainment. Now all things turned around for her this year, after she was singed by Mampintsha (of Big Nuz) under his label WestInk. Then they collaborated on 3 major singles Amatsegetsege, Wololo and Mercedez which all created a solid position for Babes in the SA music scene. Babes recently released her debut album ‘Gqom Queen, Vol. 1′ which we predict will have more singles booming in 2017. As for awards in 2017, hmmmmmm…..it’s gon’ be lit!
Kyle Deusctch
Kyle Deutsch – The vocalist , smart collaborator and part of Wolf Pack. Most will recognise him from Idols SA, and ofcoz as a song maker with a hit making touch. In 2016 he made sure we felt his presence, from his collaboration with DJ Qness on ‘My World’ , Big Star Johnson on ‘Can’t Help Myself’ and on the sing-along jam ‘Back To The Beach’ with Shekinah. He later released ‘Can’t Get Enough’ which is his current single. With this on the table, 2017 we are expecting a solid project from Kyle.
Maraza
Sounding hella nice! Maraza has been long coming, we gotta admit 2016 was his year. Maraza has been in studio for sometime and made sure this year was the year to take a spot in the SA Hip Hop scene. By releasing his project ‘Blind’ he made 2016 a solid year for his career, this is after he released ‘Gwan’ as the leading single for this project. With the work he has put in on this debut album we predict a dope 2017 for him. This calls on collaborations, a number of awards and more music ofcoz.
Aewon Wolf
Another one from Wolf Pack..It’s Aewon Wolf. Rapper /songwriter from eDubane, they boy did great this year and lets give him the credit. He has been in the game for years now. But applaud for his much felt presence this year. Aewon knocked on 2016 with ‘Walking & Dabbing’ working with Khuli Chana, and since then he has not looked back. It is the very same single that paved way for him this year and was endorsed by Cell C for the TV commercial. He has further did a Coke Studio collabo this year and worked on a number of projects. And into 2017 we’re waiting for a solid project from the boy!
TiMO ODV
Maaaaan talk about being unique, and here is the super talented singer/songwriter and producer TiMO ODV. After spending years in studio and getting signed by Universal Music in 2015, he made sure 2016 was a booming year him. TiMO penetrated this year with an EP (Origins) which saw most of the singles get enough radio/TV airplay. And we’re talking his sing along jams I need you, Find My Way and Dancing Again to mention a few. With so much work done this year, we await more music from him in 2017.
Toshi
The KwaLanga Township born singer has always been passionate about music through her journey in life and proves it when she gets behind the Microphone on stage and in the studio. Toshi is no stranger to the SA music scene, but 2016 has to be the year she made her mark. Back in October, Toshi released her long awaited Album ‘Ubuhle Bendalo’ which features the hit single; “Uyankenteza” and to date the smash single can be found on 3 albums namely Dj Mbuso’s Phezulu Selection 4, Dj Fresh House Flava 9 and her own. It is on this very same project she worked with fro Wariors, Xolisa, Eltonick, Da Capo, C-Major, Stones & Bones and Diamantopoulos and Chris Deepak. 2017 is set to be a very big year for her following her album release, hit singles and collaborations which also include Black Motion on their hit single titled “The Journey” which is on their latest album, Ya Badimo. Toshi is a force to be reckoned with and has her mind set on taking a few nominations and awards in 2017.
Shekhinah
Most of us got introduced to Shekhinah back in 2012 as she was part of Idols SA Season 8.This talented singer/song-writer took advantage of the platform this year. She kicked off 2016 with dropping 2 major singles that will remain her signature; ‘Back to the Beach’ with Kyle Deutsch and ‘Let You Know’. Since then she has been at work with new collaborations, and even landed a single with Black Coffee on ‘Your Eyes’ then did a collabo for Coke Studio. With so much done, we await an album for this mad talent, so let’s see what she got for us in 2017.
The hit song Let You know, featuring Sketchy Bongo, who was recently signed to Sony Music, is set for release in the US and internationally soon.
Your thoughts on the list? Drop your comments below & Join the conversation , even on our Twitter or Facebook :