Apple Music Reveals South Africa’s Top Tracks and Artists for December 2025

Apple Music has released its Ke Dezemba overview, highlighting the songs and artists that dominated listening and Shazam activity across South Africa during the festive season. The data reflects the diverse musical tastes of local listeners and showcases the continued popularity of South African sounds alongside international hits.

Among the most-streamed artists in December 2025 were Kelvin Momo, Kabza De Small, and Thukutela. Their releases captured the attention of South African audiences, driving streams across playlists and charts. The month’s standout track was Shela by Sam Deep, Nia Pearl, and Boohle featuring Mano, which not only topped Apple Music charts but also recorded the highest number of Shazam identifications in the country during the period.

December’s listening trends showed a strong presence of local genres, with amapiano, Afro-house, and maskandi featuring prominently. South African artists such as DJ Maphorisa, Sam Deep, Mzukulu, and Dlala Thukzin contributed to the diversity of the charts, blending traditional and contemporary sounds. International artists including Drake, Taylor Swift, Beyoncé, Chris Brown, and Kendrick Lamar also appeared among the most-streamed, illustrating the sustained global influence on South African listening habits.

The Ke Dezemba overview highlights both the dominance of local music and the wide-ranging tastes of South African listeners during the festive season. Kelvin Momo, Kabza De Small, Thukutela, DJ Maphorisa, and Sam Deep were among the top performers, while tracks like Abantwana Bakho, ZEP, Tobetsa 3.0, and uValo led the charts in their respective genres. Maskandi fans enjoyed songs such as Ubu Ghost Bami and Thandolwethu by Mzukulu, while Afro-house hits included Mabebuza (Mdu aka TRP Remix) and iPlan by Dlala Thukzin.

Shazam activity mirrored streaming trends, with Shela leading the way, followed by tracks like ZEP, SNOKONOKO, Tobetsa 3.0, and Vele Uyena (Risk It All). Amapiano tracks dominated overall streams, demonstrating the genre’s continued appeal, while Afro-house and maskandi maintained a significant presence in playlists and fan engagement.

Apple Music’s Ke Dezemba summary offers a clear view of music consumption during one of South Africa’s busiest entertainment periods. It underscores the enduring popularity of local talent, the influence of international stars, and the diverse genres shaping the country’s festive season soundscape. Fans can look to these insights to discover trending tracks and artists that defined December 2025 in South Africa.