A survey of Southern African music in the first half of 2026 highlights a surge of alternative sounds from Zimbabwe, Zambia, Lesotho, South Africa, and Eswatini. The period saw a rise in underground artists and collaborations between francophone and anglophone musicians, with songs that document personal journeys, societal issues, and celebrations.
Internet Athi: Polymorphism
Internet Athi spent roughly 18 months building an audience, releasing the love song “Wena” and selling out multiple shows across South Africa. His debut LP, Polymorphism, arrives as a culmination of that work. The album sustains a steady, immersive flow and marks a formal introduction to a wider audience.
Mila Smith: “Cake”
Mila Smith’s single “Cake” channels the frustrations of early adulthood with a punk aesthetic. She sings, “I live at home, don’t pay the rent / checked my card, I’m in the red,” and later rages, “I wanna be part of your world,” addressing the intersections of race and class in South Africa.
Golden Oldie: Less Is Enough
Golden Oldie uses 1990s boom-bap as the foundation for Less Is Enough, a ten-track compilation featuring rappers from Eswatini. The opening track, “Take Your Time” with BluuJay and Swiss, sets a high bar for lyricism. The album’s consistency is left for listeners to judge.
Namakau Star and Daev Martian: “Let It Be”
“Million-dollar baby, I hope that you know you’re enough,” sings Namakau Star on “Let It Be,” a collaboration with Daev Martian. The track moves from innocence to self-discovery and back to a place of self-knowledge. Namakau Star’s soulful delivery is complemented by Daev Martian’s musicianship.
Kanu Ntshoko: African Pulse
Kanu Ntshoko, rooted in Cape Town, is among the younger musicians mentored by free jazz champion Louis Moholo-Moholo, a close friend of Ntshoko’s grandfather, Makhaya Ntshoko. His debut project, African Pulse, is a five-song collection built around the idea of freedom expressed through sound. He assembled a quartet of Cape Town musicians to realize the vision.
Serokolo7: Maramfra Music Pro
Limpopo-based producer Serokolo7 released his debut album, Maramfra Music Pro, in April. A clip of Björk playing one of his songs during a set at the Venice Biennale brought additional attention. Serokolo7 translates the frantic energy of dinaka (also known as kiba), a traditional dance of the Bapedi people, into electronic music, using reed and metal pipes, drums, and antelope horn as sonic elements.
Tkay Maidza: “Pressed”
Tkay Maidza delivers rapid-fire raps on “Pressed,” a dancefloor-ready track. The Zimbabwean-born, Australia-based emcee and vocalist maintains a high level of energy throughout, with precise word choice and a commanding presence.
Jnr Spragga: “Twerka”
Jnr Spragga brings a distinct Zim dancehall flavor to “Twerka,” using slang that resonates with the streets. The artist threads together words and worlds with a clear understanding of the form, delivering bars without missing a beat.
Denim Woods: “LVLM”
Denim Woods is a Zimbabwean emcee with a convincing outlook and engaging content. “LVLM” (pronounced “leveling me”) adds to his catalog with a performance that is consistent and packed with notable moments.
Voltz JT: “Isa Matext”
Voltz JT presents a bold and restless version of Harare on “Isa Matext.” Rapping over trap production by JaxTheBeatBully, he uses melodic cadence and restraint to deliver some of the most pointed bars in African rap today.
