Self Releasing Music in South Africa is gaining massive momentum. In recent years we have seen artists chart and dominate radio and the internet without the financial muscle or influence of a major record dlabels and below is a list of 5 SA who did exactly that in 2019 and found massive success.
Sho Madjozi
Sho Madjozi released John Cena which became a global phenomenon . On 15 August 2019, Madjozi was featured on the global music platform COLORS, where she performed the song and it trended and ended up reaching two-million views which is a favourable success for the [COLOURS] music platform. Madjozi was praised for the song by many notable people, including rapper Missy Elliott who she retweeted her video on her Twitter page, whilst professional wrestler John Cena posted Madjozi on his Instagram account. She later released “John Cena” as an official single on 27 September 2019. On 7 November 2019, Madjozi appeared on The Kelly Clarkson Show to talk about the song. While performing as a guest, John Cena came from backstage to surprise her. The video of her reaction went viral, as she said it was a dream of hers to meet Cena himself.
YoungstaCPT
YoungstaCPT released his debut, self published album 3T album which was well received by fans and the industry at large
Dr Peppa
Dr Peppa self released his popular song, What It Is featuring Chang Cello, Riky Rick and Lucasraps.
Major League Djs
Major League Djs released an EP titled Ase Trap Ke Pina Tsa Ko Kasi which was well received and gave us hot songs such as Shotta Moghel and Overload
Costa Titch
Costa Titch self released his Nkalakatha joint which has been getting a lot love. AKA and Riky even jumped on the song remix!
Shane Eagle
Shane Eagle self released his well received mixtape, Dark Moon Flower which was well received world over and even saw the rapper tour Europe and get a billboard screening in the USA.under his Eagle Entertainment imprint which is an independent record label and creative solutions agency co-founded by Shane Eagle
Special Mention
Samthing Soweto
Samthing Soweto dropped song Akulaleki off his debut album which was well received! The album is entirely a self release with no label behind it. The musician has found so much success that not only has he broken records on Apple Music. Isphithiphithi earned him a groundbreaking milestone by becoming the first local artist to have a simultaneous number-one single and album on Apple Music – achieving this whilst Isphithiphithi was still on pre-order
