Apple Music celebrates Heritage Month this September and shines a light on Mzansi’s greatest musical legends with its latest Amaqhawe (meaning “hero” in Xhosa, and “legend” in Zulu) initiative. In honour of the country’s rich musical tapestry and Heritage Day (24 September), Amaqhawe spotlights the legacies of the South African artists whose sounds inspired the Rainbow Nation, and continue to influence and inspire the next generation of artistic voices.
The Amaqhawe dedicated space consists of six new exclusively curated guest playlists from South African musical greats that include Afro-Pop singer-songwriter Ringo Madlingozi, legendary jazz singer Letta Mbulu, Mi Casa frontman J Something, Afrikaans rock royalty Karen Zoid, hip-hop musician and founding member of Skwatta Kamp Slikour, and iconic alternative rock star Francois Van Coke.
The initiative will also feature a flagship Amaqhawe playlist featuring some of Mzansi’s biggest songs, across decades and multiple genres, including the likes of Brenda Fassie, Miriam Makeba, Lebo Mathosa and Malaika, through to Mandoza, Ladysmith Black Mambazo, TKZee and Sipho ‘Hotstix’ Mabuse.
“These are some of the songs which speak to the rhythm of my heart and my wish is that while listening to these eclectic sounds, that you feel the power of the music and how it unifies us.” – Ringo Madlingozi
“This is a collection of some of the songs, which in part represent the soundtrack to my earlier life, while in exile, touring the world and missing home, as well as some of the voices which bring me joy and will forever be a part of our musical heritage.” – Letta Mbulu
“Heritage for me is weighted in the past. It’s a culmination of stories, thoughts, beliefs and characteristics that are then passed down to us. Thereafter comes the important part, how do we as individuals relate to our heritage, study it and break it apart so that we can then create our own stories, thoughts, beliefs and characteristics for us to pass down. This is why music plays such a pivotal role in shaping culture. These are some of my favourite South African creatives at the moment.” – J’Something
“My selection of songs are across genres and decades and all tunes that I listen to often. I think South Africa has the best constitution in the world, written by Nelson Mandela and Thuli Madonsela themselves. Even though our country has had many struggles, officially and unofficially, our last war was the Anglo Boer War that ended in 1902. South Africans for the most part have always tried to live together. I celebrate the spirit of Ubuntu in this land.” – Karen Zoid
“These tunes make me feel like home and some of them shaped who I became. It is a privilege jamming, listening and loving these anthems that make me feel part of South Africa.” – Francois Van Coke
“Heritage is the constant evolution of what influences us physically, mentally and spiritually. When expressed in music it’s different sounds that every generation builds on with the resources disposed to them. The songs I’ve chosen reflect sounds that were inspired by the reality of the times, the disposable resources and aspirations. Without none of that the music wouldn’t be what it is nor inspire what’s it become or about to become. The future inherits the reality of a generation through a song that’s captured with sincerity, the evolution of sound is the heritage of that song.” – Slikour
Discover the Amaqhawe Collection here.
Discover the Amaqhawe playlists below:
