Most streamed songs, artists, podcasts of 2021 in South Africa

As 2021 draws to a close, global music streaming service, Deezer takes a look back at the music (including musicians) and podcasts that South Africans listened to the most this year alone. This includes Amapiano, Pop and who could forget all the influential SA stars that sat behind the mic on the award-winning, ‘Podcast and Chill with MacG’.

Interestingly, The Weeknd not only took home top track of 2021 for ‘Blinding Lights’, his 2020 album ‘After Hours’ is the #1 most streamed album in South Africa. Despite the album being nearly 2 years old, it was also the #1 most streamed track around the world.

Drake’s ‘Certified Lover Boy’ is the #2 most listened to track, while and local hometown favourite Riaan Benadé’s ‘Spontaan’ nabbed the #3 spot.

South Africans, however,  also showed much love for Busta 929 and Mpura’s Amapiano’s hit ‘Umsebenzi Wethu,’ which came in at number 2 globally, while it is the #1 most streamed top track from local artists.

Local hits such as ‘Summeryomuthi’ by Blaq Diamond (#4), ‘Banyana’ by DJ Maphorisa and Tyler ICU (#7), and ‘John Wick’ by De Mthuda (#10) also made the list.

As for the most listened female artists, interestingly, music fans in South Africa turned to global artists such as American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift who reigned queen as the #1 most streamed female artist, followed by Billie Eilish (#2) and ‘Black Pradise’ hitmaker Beyoncé (#3). Local artist Mahkhadzi broke through the top 5, representing the best of 2021 and coming in at #4.

And when it comes to most popular male artists, South Africans preferred to listen to a mix of pop and rap artists as global rapper Drake came in at #1, beating Justin Bieber (#2) and the Weekend (#3). Local stars such as DJ Maphorisa came in at #8 and Kabza De Small followed right behind at #9.

MacG podcast and Makhadzi hold their own against global giants

South Africans needed a reason to laugh. No wonder they turned to ‘Podcast and Chill with MacG’. Music was also an important topic as  ‘KnightSA89 – MidTempo Sessions Uploads’ came in at #2 followed by ‘DownTown Music‘ at #3 and ‘Amapiano Pandemic’ at #8.

“Much like the rest of the world, South Africans clearly couldn’t get enough of the Weeknd this year. Even though his album is nearly two years old, we clearly loved the new wave vibe,” said Sotiris Moldovanos, editor for Africa at Deezer.

“I was also impressed to see how well local singer Makhadzi has done this year, competing against global female artists and holding her own in the top five. I’m also looking forward to seeing the likes of Busta 929, Mpura and DJ Maphorisa produce hit tracks in the coming year.”

Local music fans who want to discover what hear all the top tracks that stood out in South Africa this year, can visit Deezer’s shortlist here.

Most streamed song and artists of 2021

All streaming data can be found below.

Top Tracks

1. ‘Blinding Lights’ – The Weeknd
2. ‘Umsebenzi Wethu’ – Busta 929, Mpura
3. ‘Bad Habits’ – Ed Sheeran
4. ‘The Business’ – Tiësto
5. ‘Dance Monkey’ – Tones and I
6. ‘SummerYoMuthi’ – Blaq Diamond
7. ‘Banyana’ – DJ Maphorisa, Tyler ICU
8. ‘Astronaut in the Ocean’ – Masked Wolf
9. ‘drivers license’ – Olivia Rodrigo
10. ‘John Wick’ – De Mthuda

Top Tracks from Local SA Artists

1. ‘Umsebenzi Wethu’ – Busta 929, Mpura
2. ‘SummerYoMuthi’ – Blaq Diamond
3. ‘Banyana’ – DJ Maphorisa, Tyler ICU
4. ‘John Wick’ – De Mthuda
5. ‘Khuza Gogo’ – DBN Gogo, Blaqnick, MasterBlaq
6. ‘Izolo’ – DJ Maphorisa, Tyler ICU, Visca
7. ‘Idlozi Lami’ – DJ Obza
8. ‘Siyathandana’ – Cassper Nyovest
9. ‘LiYoshona’ – Kwiish SA
10. ‘Woza’ – Mr JazziQ, Kabza De Small, Lady Du

Top Albums

1. After Hours – The Weeknd
2. Certified Lover Boy – Drake
3. Spontaan – Riaan Benade
4. SOUR – Olivia Rodrigo
5. The Off-Season – J. Cole
6. Kokovha – Makhadzi
7. Shoot For The Stars, Aim For The Moon – Pop Smoke
8. Donda – Kanye West
9. Justice – Justin Bieber
10. When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go?– Billie Eilish

Top Albums from Local SA Artists 

1. Spontaan – Riaan Benade
2. Kokovha – Makhadzi
3. B4Now – Blxckie
4. To the World & Beyond – Sun-El Musician
5. Country – Demi Lee Moore
6. LOGAN – Emtee
7. Joyous Celebration 25 – Still We Rise: live at The Joburg Theatre – Joyous Celebration
8. African Queen – Makhadzi
9. Hardwerkende Man – Appel
10. Today’s Tragedy, Tomorrow’s Memory: the mixtape – A-Reece

Top Female Artists

1. Taylor Swift
2. Billie Eilish
3. Beyoncé
4. Makhadzi
5. Rihanna
6. Ariana Grande
7. Dua Lipa
8. Doja Cat
9. P!nk
10. Olivia Rodrigo

Top Male Artists

1. Drake
2. Justin Bieber
3. The Weeknd
4. Ed Sheeran
5. J. Cole
6. Eminem
7. Kanye West
8. DJ Maphorisa
9. Kabza De Small
10. Chris Brown

Top Podcasts

1. Podcast and Chill with MacG
2. KnightSA89 – MidTempo Sessions Uploads
3. DownTown Music
4. Weekly Motivation by Ben Lionel Scott
5. VT Podcast “Ideas That Matter”
6. On Purpose with Jay Shetty
7. The Mindset Mentor
8. Amapiano Pandemic
9. Elevation with Steven Furtick
10. DJ PH