As 2021 draws to a close, global music streaming service, Deezer takes a look back at the music and podcasts that South Africans listened to the most. This includes Amapiano, Pop and who could forget all the influential SA stars that sat behind the mic on the award-winning Podcast and Chill with MacG.
Top Tracks
The Weeknd’s ‘Blinding Lights’ took this year’s top spot as the most-streamed track in South Africa. Despite its release in 2020, the popular song was also the #1 most streamed track around the world. South Africans also showed much love for Busta 929 and Mpura’s Amapiano’s hit ‘Umsebenzi Wethu,’ which came in at #2. Local hits such as ‘Summeryomuthi’ by Blaq Diamond (#4), ‘Banyana’ by DJ Maphorisa and Tyler ICU (#7), and ‘John Wick’ by De Mthuda (#10) also made the list.
Top Tracks from Local SA Artists
We also took a look at just the local artists making waves here in South Africa. The #1 most-streamed top track from local artists goes to ‘Umsebenzi Wethu’ by Busta 929 and Mpura. Blaq Diamond’s ‘Summeryomuthi’, came in at #2, followed by ‘Banyana’ by DJ Maphorisa and Tyler ICU at #3.
Top Albums
The Weeknd smashed it again. Not only did he win ‘Top Track’ of 2021, but his 2020 album, After Hours was the #1 most-streamed album in South Africa. Drake’s Certified Lover Boy came in at #2 and local hometown favourite Riaan Benadé’s Spontaan nabbed the #3 spot. Another local favourite, Pop Smoke’s Shoot for the Stars, Aim for the Moon came in at #7.
Top Albums from Local SA Artists
Pretoria-born crooner, Riaan Benadé, was the local favourite as his album Spontaan won the hearts of the nation coming in at #1. Songstress Makhadzi wasn’t far behind with her album Kokovha coming in at #2, followed by B4Now by Blxckie at #3.
Top Female Artists
Interestingly enough, music fans in South Africa turned to global artists such as American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift who reigned queen as the #1 most streamed female artist, followed by Billie Eilish (#2) and Beyoncé (#3). Local artist Mahkhadzi broke through the top 5, representing the best of 2021 and coming in at #4.
Top Male Artists
South Africans preferred to listen to a mix of pop and rap artists as global rapper Drake came in at #1, beating Justin Bieber (#2) and the Weekend (#3). Local stars such as DJ Maphorisa came in at #8 and Kabza De Small followed right behind at #9.
Top Podcasts
South Africans needed a reason to laugh. No wonder they turned to Podcast and Chill with MacG. Music was also an important topic as KnightSA89 – MidTempo Sessions Uploads came in at #2 followed by DownTown Music at #3 and AMAPIANO PANDEMIC at #8.
“Much like the rest of the world, South Africans clearly couldn’t get enough of the Weeknd this year. Even though his album is nearly two years old, we clearly loved the new wave vibe,” says Sotiris Moldovanos, Editor for Africa at Deezer.
“I was also impressed to see how well local singer Makhadzi has done this year, competing against global female artists and holding her own in the top five. I’m also looking forward to seeing the likes of Busta 929, Mpura and DJ Maphorisa produce hit tracks in the coming year.”
Music fans who want to discover what they’ve listened to the most won’t have to wait too long. Our #MyDeezerYear will return in a few days. Just login to your mobile app to find a complete breakdown on all the tracks, artists and podcasts that you’ve listened to the most.
Don’t forget to listen also to our ‘Best of 2021’ channel to hear all the top tracks that stood out this year.
-ENDS-
All streaming data can be found below.
Top Tracks
- ‘Blinding Lights’ – The Weeknd
- ‘Umsebenzi Wethu’ – Busta 929, Mpura
- ‘Bad Habits’ – Ed Sheeran
- ‘The Business’ – Tiësto
- ‘Dance Monkey’ – Tones and I
- ‘SummerYoMuthi’ – Blaq Diamond
- ‘Banyana’ – DJ Maphorisa, Tyler ICU
- ‘Astronaut in the Ocean’ – Masked Wolf
- ‘drivers license’ – Olivia Rodrigo
- ‘John Wick’ – De Mthuda
Top Tracks from Local SA Artists
- ‘Umsebenzi Wethu’ – Busta 929, Mpura
- ‘SummerYoMuthi’ – Blaq Diamond
- ‘Banyana’ – DJ Maphorisa, Tyler ICU
- ‘John Wick’ – De Mthuda
- ‘Khuza Gogo’ – DBN Gogo, Blaqnick, MasterBlaq
- ‘Izolo’ – DJ Maphorisa, Tyler ICU, Visca
- ‘Idlozi Lami’ – DJ Obza
- ‘Siyathandana’ – Cassper Nyovest
- ‘LiYoshona’ – Kwiish SA
- ‘Woza’ – Mr JazziQ, Kabza De Small, Lady Du
Top Albums
- After Hours – The Weeknd
- Certified Lover Boy – Drake
- Spontaan – Riaan Benade
- SOUR – Olivia Rodrigo
- The Off-Season – J. Cole
- Kokovha – Makhadzi
- Shoot For The Stars, Aim For The Moon – Pop Smoke
- Donda – Kanye West
- Justice – Justin Bieber
- When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go?– Billie Eilish
Top Albums from Local SA Artists
- Spontaan – Riaan Benade
- Kokovha – Makhadzi
- B4Now – Blxckie
- To the World & Beyond – Sun-El Musician
- Country – Demi Lee Moore
- LOGAN – Emtee
- Joyous Celebration 25 – Still We Rise: live at The Joburg Theatre – Joyous Celebration
- African Queen – Makhadzi
- Hardwerkende Man – Appel
- Today’s Tragedy, Tomorrow’s Memory: the mixtape – A-Reece
Top Female Artists
- Taylor Swift
- Billie Eilish
- Beyonce
- Makhadzi
- Rihanna
- Ariana Grande
- Dua Lipa
- Doja Cat
- P!nk
- Olivia Rodrigo
Top Male Artists
- Drake
- Justin Bieber
- The Weeknd
- Ed Sheeran
- J. Cole
- Eminem
- Kanye West
- DJ Maphorisa
- Kabza De Small
- Chris Brown
Top Podcasts
- Podcast and Chill with MacG
- KnightSA89 – MidTempo Sessions Uploads
- DownTown Music
- Weekly Motivation by Ben Lionel Scott
- VT Podcast “Ideas That Matter”
- On Purpose with Jay Shetty
- The Mindset Mentor
- AMAPIANO PANDEMIC
- Elevation with Steven Furtick
- DJ PH
