The beat of a generation: South Africa's Gen Z playlist unplugged

IOL News

2 days ago

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.
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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.