Latest news with #Usimamane
IOL News
01-08-2025
- Entertainment
- IOL News
The beat of a generation: South Africa's Gen Z playlist unplugged
Gen Z isn't just listening to music - they're actively shaping it. Image: Pexels/Rdne South Africa's Gen Z is the first true digital native. They grew up with the internet in their pockets, communicating in memes and TikToks, and when it comes to music, their tastes are borderless, genre-blending, and often delightfully unpredictable. But in 2025, one thing is crystal clear: Gen Z isn't just consuming music - they're curating culture, dictating trends and reshaping the industry from the inside out. So, what exactly is SA's Gen Z listening to right now? Amapiano still reigns - but it's shifting Let's start with the obvious: Amapiano remains the heartbeat of the youth. But this isn't the same Yanos that erupted from taxis and township parties in 2019. In 2025, it's darker, slower, more introspective - yet still infectious. Mainstays like Young Stunna and Tyler ICU are still beloved, but a new wave of Gen Z producers is steering the genre into experimental territory. Subgenres like Private School Amapiano - with its jazzy flourishes, ambient synths and minimal vocals - are gaining serious traction. This is music for studying, for night drives, for solo unwinding. Gen Z isn't just dancing to Amapiano - they're living in it. The beat still bangs, but now it breathes. Hip hop gets softer - and realer Hip hop hasn't disappeared, but it has evolved. While trap beats and bravado still have their place, South African Gen Z is tuning into a more emotionally honest side of rap. The biggest surprise of 2025? The rise of lo-fi rap - think diary-like lyrics over chilled boom-bap beats. Artists like Blxckie, Usimamane, Tony Dayimane, Lucasraps and Dee Koala have helped shift the narrative. It's not about 'who's the hardest' anymore. It's about 'who's the realest'. Vulnerability is in, and the youth are here for it. Video Player is loading. 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Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad Loading 3-Step sound: Fast, fun and viral-ready Not just millennials - Gen Z is fully on board with the 3-Step wave. This infectious, energetic genre is tailor-made for digital life. Why does it work? Because it's fun and thrives on virality. Perfect for TikTok challenges, street dance videos and high-energy playlists. Artists like Dlala Thukzin, as well as the duo Jazzworx and Thukuthela, are dominating youth-driven trends both online and in real life. If it bangs on TikTok, you'll hear it in the streets the next day. R&B still hits - if you know, you know Not everyone's into beats and basslines all the time. Some Gen Z listeners are soft at heart - and they've got the playlists to prove it. Take Kamogelo Makhura, for example. Her daily rotation? 'Burning Blue' by Mariah the Scientist 'Kusazokhanya' by DJ Zinhle, Thabsie & Brenden Praise 'Is It' by Tyla 'These are songs I need to hear every morning. 'Kusazokhanya' gives me hope - it makes my dreams feel reachable. 'Is It' is my go-to mood booster. And 'Burning Blue' is like my coffee - it's how I start my day,' she told 'Independent Media Lifestyle'. TikTok: Gen Z's new A&R Speaking of TikTok - it's not just a social platform; it's the new music discovery engine. A single viral clip can launch a track from obscurity to chart-topper in hours. And while TikTok's global influence on music is well documented, its real local impact in SA kicked off around 2020 during the pandemic. Yuvir Pillay, TikTok's music operations lead for Sub-Saharan Africa, told "Independent Media Lifestyle": 'In 2020, Amapiano was just starting to rise. But when artists like DJ Maphorisa, Kabza De Small, and even hip hop stars like Cassper Nyovest began posting Amapiano tracks on TikTok, the genre exploded. "Our users started to shift from hip hop to Amapiano - and we amplified it.' No genres, just vibes Trying to box Gen Z into genre categories? Good luck. This generation doesn't do labels. They're not loyal to any one genre, but to a vibe. The shuffle button is king. So, what does it all mean? Gen Z in SA isn't just listening to music - they're actively shaping it. They're breaking down genre boundaries, embracing emotional honesty, championing local talent alongside global stars and using social media tools to amplify voices that speak to their realities. In 2025, music isn't a one-way experience. It's a conversation - and Gen Z? They're leading it, headphones on, playlists full of protest, pleasure and possibility.
News24
14-07-2025
- Entertainment
- News24
Up close and personal with Metro FM award winner Usimamane
Collaboration with Rick Ross, best male award at the metros and working with his childhood faves, Usimamane is on the right path. Usimamane Facebook page
TimesLIVE
12-07-2025
- Entertainment
- TimesLIVE
Gold hits, platinum dreams & global ambassador — Usimamane's glow up
His hit Uvalo featuring Sjava has officially gone double platinum, while Bank and Star are both certified gold solidifying his spot among South Africa's hottest talents right now. But it doesn't end there. Usimamane has just been announced as a brand ambassador for Converse, further cementing his status as a cultural icon on the rise. Speaking to TshisaLIVE, he said: 'I am all about culture and embracing ... the culture of where I come from, my roots. I really like to speak about what I am going through in my songs in that moment of time.'
The Citizen
11-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Citizen
Usimamane ‘so blessed and grateful' after being embraced by industry and global sneaker brand
South African rapper Usimamane is among the few artists who were swiftly embraced by both fans and the music industry. It takes several years for artists to be recognised and embraced by the industry. South African rapper Usimamane is one of those who was rapidly embraced by fans and the industry as a whole. 'It's really an honour, I feel so blessed and grateful', real name Omuhleumnguni Simamane, told The Citizen. 'I feel so seen and heard, you know. And you know, when you're doing what we're doing [rap], not a lot of people believe in what you're doing. So finally I get to have these global brands doing what they're doing for me.' The 21-year-old spoke to The Citizen on Thursday at the Converse Love Chuck event, where he was named as an ambassador of the global sneaker brand. ALSO READ: Must get! Travis Scott tickets for FNB Stadium still up for grabs Usimamane the fashionista Usimamane says he always had a dream of being a model one day, despite his shy personality, and says his collaboration with Converse is somewhat a ticking of that box. 'I'm not into fashion like that, but I've always had a dream to be a model one day. I always wanted to be on the runway,' the rapper said. He says being an ambassador of a fashion brand had its challenges. 'Getting dressed and putting on new clothes and all of that; that was a little bit tricky for me since I'm camera-shy. I'm not too comfortable when it comes to being on camera,' said the rapper, adding that being in front of the camera is different from recording in studio. 'Recording in studio is one thing, going outside to perform the song in front of like 2000 people is one thing. But like cameras… I'm not doing what I'm really good at, I'm still new,' he said. 'I'm very honoured to be in that position, to actually be like the guy who's gonna be a bridge when it comes to fashion and music…a lot of guys have been doing it, but they do it by making clothes and stuff. I can make clothes, but I just wanna rap.' ALSO READ: WATCH: Modise Sekgothe, a poet equipped in the exercise of digging deep and baring himself naked New music Despite not winning the Hip Hop artist of the year award at this year's Metro FM Music Awards, Usimamane was named the Best Male artist of 2025, owing to a successful 18 to 20 months. Usimamane said his debut album, 19th, didn't fully capture his life story and said he will unveil more of who he is in upcoming projects. 'With my first album, I didn't actually bring everything to it, in terms of explaining where I'm coming from, and you know when I dropped my album, a lot of stuff happened, new inspirations…now it's no longer talking about the grind, the struggle. Now it's about being free and doing what you want to do.' NOW READ: What to watch this weekend: 'F1: The Movie' with Brad Pitt and burnouts at 300km/h
TimesLIVE
08-05-2025
- Entertainment
- TimesLIVE
Now rapper Usimamane is setting his sights on an acting career
After a successful career in music as a rapper, Usimamane is looking to venture into acting. Real name Omuhleumnguni Simamane, he first rose to fame with his breakthrough single Cheque released in 2024, which was certified three times Platinum in South Africa. He is popularly known for his smash hit single Uvalo featuring Sjava. Earlier this year, Usimamane shot a music video Dangerous II featuring US rapper Rick Ross in Cape Town. The Umlazi-born rapper spoke to TshisaLIVE during the 25th Metro FM Music Awards at Mbombela Stadium in Mpumalanga — where he scooped Best Male Artist — and revealed he has set his sights on acting. 'I'm looking forward to a lot of collaborations and also touching into fashion but I'm acting just to expand on my craft as an artist. I feel I've been well received by the industry — I'm grateful for the opportunity. What is important is love,' he said.
