Apple Music South Africa Unveils December’s Most Streamed Songs and Artists

Apple Music has officially released its Ke Dezemba music report, revealing the top songs, artists, and Shazam trends in South Africa for December. The data captures what dominated listening habits during the festive season — a period known for heavy streaming and music discovery across the country.

Kelvin Momo, Kabza De Small Lead December’s Artist Charts

According to Apple Music South Africa, Kelvin Momo, Kabza De Small, and Thukutela emerged as the most-streamed local artists in December. Their strong presence reflects the continued dominance of amapiano and Afro-house in South African playlists.

International superstars also featured heavily, with Drake, Taylor Swift, Beyoncé, Chris Brown, and Kendrick Lamar ranking alongside top homegrown acts such as DJ Maphorisa, Sam Deep, Mzukulu, Zee Nxumalo, and Babalwa M.

Sam Deep’s “Shela” Tops Apple Music & Shazam in SA

The biggest song of the month was “Shela” by Sam Deep, Nia Pearl & Boohle (feat. Mano). The track not only topped Apple Music’s South Africa charts but also recorded the highest number of Shazam searches in the country, making it December’s most identified song nationwide.

Other chart-toppers included “Abantwana Bakho”, “ZEP”, “Tobetsa 3.0”, and “SNOKONOKO”, showing how amapiano and Afro-inspired sounds continue to drive digital consumption.

Festive Season Listening: Local Sounds Still Dominate

Apple Music’s Ke Dezemba overview highlights a powerful blend of amapiano, Afro-house, and maskandi, alongside global pop and hip-hop. While international artists maintained strong visibility, South African music remained the heartbeat of December’s streaming culture, reinforcing the country’s influence on global African music trends.

Shazam Trends Show What South Africans Are Discovering

Shazam activity revealed strong interest in emerging and collaborative records, with “Shela” leading again, followed by tracks like “ZEP”, “SNOKONOKO”, “Umaqondana”, and “Thandaza”. These results show that discovery remains a major part of festive-season listening behavior.

A Snapshot of SA’s Digital Music Culture

The Ke Dezemba data offers a clear picture of how South Africans stream and discover music during one of the busiest entertainment months of the year. It reflects a balance between local dominance and global appeal, with amapiano continuing to shape the country’s digital soundscape.

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