SA: Apple Music reveals December’s top songs and artists

According to the platform, Kelvin Momo, Kabza De Small and Thukutela were the most-streamed artists on Apple Music in December. The month’s most prominent song was ‘Shela’ by Sam Deep, Nia Pearl and Boohle, which topped Apple Music charts and recorded the highest number of Shazam identifications in South Africa during the period.

Listening trends during December reflected a broad mix of genres, with amapiano, Afro-house and maskandi featuring strongly alongside international pop and hip hop. Local music maintained a significant presence on playlists and charts, underscoring the continued popularity of South African sounds during the festive season.

International artists including Drake, Taylor Swift, Beyoncé, Chris Brown and Kendrick Lamar also featured prominently on Apple Music charts. They appeared alongside South African artists such as Kelvin Momo, Kabza De Small, Sam Deep, Mzukulu and DJ Maphorisa, whose releases contributed to the month’s overall listening patterns.

The Ke Dezemba data offers an overview of music consumption during one of South Africa’s busiest entertainment periods, highlighting both local dominance and sustained global influence across digital platforms.

Ke Dezemba Top Artists in South Africa

• Kelvin Momo
• Drake
• Kabza De Small
• Thukutela
• Babalwa M
• DJ Maphorisa
• JAZZWRLD
• Gunna
• Sam Deep
• Dlala Thukzin
• Zee Nxumalo
• Taylor Swift
• GL_Ceejay
• Chris Brown
• Summer Walker
• Olivia Dean
• Stixx
• Beyonce
• Xduppy
• Boohle
• Mariah The Scientist
• Future
• Kendrick Lamar
• PARTYNEXTDOOR
• The Weeknd

Ke Dezemba Top Songs in South Africa

• ‘Shela’ – Sam Deep, Nia Pearl & Boohle ft. Mano
• ‘Abantwana Bakho’ – DJ Maphorisa, Xduppy & Kabza De Small ft. Thatohatsi, Young Stunna & Nkosazana Daughter
• ‘ZEP’ – DJ Smallz, ZinedinexSguche & 031choppa ft. Uncool MC
• ‘Tobetsa 3.0’ – Myztro & Leehleza ft. ShaunMusiq & Ftears
• ‘SNOKONOKO’ – Al Xapo, Benzoo & EeQue
• ‘uValo (feat. Dlala Thukzin)’ – JAZZWRLD, Thukuthela & Babalwa M
• ‘Ngyozama’ – Kabza De Small & Dlala Thukzin ft. Sykes, Young Stunna, Nkosazana Daughter, Tracy & Thatohatsi
• ‘Lutho’ – Dj Jaivane, Smaki 08 & Wesley Keys ft. De Rose
• ‘Mabebuza (Mdu aka TRP Remix)’ – Maline Aura, Drega & MDU aka TRP
• ‘Man I Need’ – Olivia Dean
• ‘uMoya’ – Thukuthela, GL_Ceejay, JAZZWRLD & Makhadzi Entertainment
• ‘You Try’ – Yumbs & Simmy
• ‘Bengicela’ – MaWhoo, GL_Ceejay & Thukuthela
• ‘Rato Laka’ – Shebeshxt, Naqua SA & Zee Nxumalo
• ‘Vele Uyena (Risk It All)’ – Skyla Tylaa, JAZZWRLD, Thukuthela & Elaine ft. Solaariss
• ‘Mamma’ – Zee Nxumalo, Skillz & Sykes
• ‘Amaphutha’ – Babalwa M, JAZZWRLD, Thukuthela & Gl_Ceejay
• ‘Raindance’ – Dave & Tems
• ‘Intaba Zokhahlamba’ – Mphathiwohlelo MC ft. Shenge Wasehlalankosi & Mjolisi
• ‘Iphupho’ – Kabza De Small & Kelvin Momo ft. Thatohatsi
• ‘Shela’ – Sam Deep, Nia Pearl & Boohle ft. Mano
• ‘Thandaza’ – Sam Deep & Thatohatsi
• ‘Say I Do’ – Kelvin Momo & Elaine
• ‘Amanxeba’ – sami kay, Rox Roberson & Misokuhle
• ‘Umaqondana’ – Feza

Ke Dezemba Most Shazam Recognitions in South Africa

• Sam Deep, Nia Pearl & Boohle Shela (feat. Mano)
• DJ Smallz, ZinedinexSguche & 031choppa ZEP (feat. Uncool MC)
• SdoDiRoba, Official Bangal Baffallo, Dj Kgauza & Farrian Samusa Dibiri Dikae (feat. KayGee Muziq, Ras Chief, Double DB, Tkay Music, Skxyy & EzzyMusica)
• Al Xapo, Benzoo & EeQue SNOKONOKO
• Feza Umaqondana
• Sam Deep & Thatohatsi Thandaza
• Myztro & Leehleza Tobetsa 3.0 (feat. ShaunMusiq & Ftears)
• LuuDadeejay Bacardi via sgidongo (feat. Kabza De Small & Mac Breezy)
• Ezra Neethings Merwalela
• Skyla Tylaa, JAZZWRLD, Thukuthela & Elaine Vele Uyena (Risk It All) [feat. Solaariss]
• Xduppy ft. Sun-El Musician, Msaki & Seun1401 Ubomi Abumanga (Remix)
• DJ Lag & Zee Nxumalo NgyaSindelwa (feat. K.C Driller)
• Officixl RSA Jab Jab (feat. Scotts Maphuma, Benzoo, Bob Mabena, Mid9t & de-papzo)
• Mphathiwohlelo MC Intaba Zokhahlamba (feat. Shenge Wasehlalankosi & Mjolisi)
• sami kay, Rox Roberson & Misokuhle Amanxeba
• Vico Da Sporo & Zelule zn Sijabulile
• Rea Gopane Suka!
• Maline Aura, Drega & MDU aka TRP Mabebuza (Mdu aka TRP Remix)
• Mthandeni SK Dubai (feat. MaWhoo)
• Xduppy & Dj Maphorisa & Seun1401 Feat. Ftears, Mbuzi, Djy Vino & Mphoet Bang’bonile

 Ke Dezemba Top Amapiano Songs

• ‘Shela (feat. Mano)’ – Sam Deep, Nia Pearl & Boohle
• ‘SNOKONOKO’ – Al Xapo, Benzoo & EeQue
• ‘Abantwana Bakho’ – DJ Maphorisa, Xduppy & Kabza De Small ft. Thatohatsi, Young Stunna & Nkosazana Daughter
• ‘ZEP’ – DJ Smallz, ZinedinexSguche, and 031choppa ft. Uncool MC
• ‘Tobetsa 3.0’ – Myztro & Leehleza ft. ShaunMusiq & Ftears

Ke Dezemba Top Maskandi Songs

• ‘Ubu Ghost Bami’ – Mzukulu ft. Intombi yasoLundi
• ‘Thandolwethu’ – Mzukulu ft. Zamambo Mkhize & Umfana weKhansela
• ‘Sajola Kamnandi’ – Sminofu & Zee Nxumalo
• ‘Umkhovu Etsheni’ – Mzukulu ft. Zamambo Mkhize
• ‘Firefighter’ – Mzukulu ft. Shisamabhodwe

Ke Dezemba Top Afro House Songs

• ‘Mabebuza (Mdu aka TRP Remix)’ – Maline Aura, Drega & MDU aka TRP
• ‘iPlan’ – Dlala Thukzin ft. Zaba & Sykes
• ‘Suka!’ – Rea Gopane
• ‘Kwalula’ – Sun-El Musician, Simmy & Sino Msolo
• ‘Nginawe’ – Rea Gopane