Publications
Partners
Here are #Trending’s picks of music that made our year bangin’:
BANGER OF THE YEAR
DJ Maphorisa, DJ Raybel ft Moonchild Sanelly, K.O, Zulu Mkhathini: iWalk Ye Phara
Usually a December dance song is released in October, but iWalk Ye Phara has been having us for months. The song has a rough history, after gqom artist TDK Macassette, who was on the original version of the song, claimed DJ Maphorisa stole the track – a claim the Midnight Starring producer denies. This, however, has not stopped Mzansi from voshoing to the song.
INTERNATIONAL BANGER OF THE YEAR
Drake: In My Feelings
What makes this song so popular could be its inherent Drakeness, from its emo-romantic lyrics to its New Orleans bounce-inspired beat. But it really took off when the chorus was transformed into a popular meme. Along with Shiggy’s viral dance challenge, there probably isn’t another song out this year that had everyone talking, dancing and participating in a viral dance challenge more than this Scorpion single.
PARTY STARTER
AKA ft Kiddominant: Fela In Versace
This Afrobeat track inspires a luxurious lifestyle, with the video showing Fela Kuti donning Gianni Versace threads and Nelson Mandela in a Ferrari. It got the approval of fans and naysayers.
ROADTRIP SINGLE
Manu Worldstar: Nalingi
Rapper and singer Manu Worldstar got everyone’s attention with his breakout single Nalingi. The crossover pop/Afrobeat song has gone on to be one of the biggest songs this year, topping charts on local radio stations and across Africa.
SURPRISE HIT
Boity ft Nasty C: Wuz Dat
Boity reinvented herself and dropped one of the biggest songs this year. Many fans were impressed with Boity’s lyrical skills and even dubbed her the best female rapper in South Africa. Whether that’s true or not, everyone sang “black woman, white man money, getting back the land” whenever the song played.
INTERNATIONAL SURPRISE HIT
Ella Mai: Boo’d Up
English R&B singer Ella Mai had her breakthrough US moment courtesy of the popularity of her sultry single Boo’d Up. The song is a streaming success story with a miraculous rise across the globe and has been certified four times platinum. Boo’d Up has got to be special if you’ve got the legendary Stevie Wonder calling you to tell you how much he loves your song.
EARWORM
PinkFong: Baby Shark
If you spend most of your time on the internet or with little ones, then we’re sure you’re well acquainted with this year’s most viral nursery song Baby Shark. The song, a happy tune about a family of sharks and their hunting endeavours, went viral and sparked the #BabySharkChallenge.
