List of South African musicians
This list of South African musicians includes notable individual musicians as well as musical ensembles whose members are South African by birth or nationality.
A
- Afrotraction, R&B and neo-soul musician and producer
- AKA, hip-hop artist and record producer
- aKing, acoustic rock band
- Akustika Chamber Singers, chamber choir from Pretoria
- Ashur Petersen, Cape Malay musician
- Sizwe Alakine, Amapiano musician
- Amampondo, traditional Xhosa percussion group from Cape Town
- Anatii, hip-hop artist and record producer
- A-Reece, hip-hop artist and lyricist
- Leigh Ashton, singer-songwriter from Johannesburg
- Assagai, Afro-rock band active in the early 1970s
- Robin Auld, singer songwriter
- The Awakening, gothic rock
- Aymos, singer songwriter
B
- Julian Bahula, jazz drummer
- Ballyhoo, 1980s pop band best known for the hit "Man on the Moon"
- Zakes Bantwini
- Leonel Bastos, Mozambiquan adult contemporary musician and producer working in South Africa
- Battery 9, industrial music project from Johannesburg
- Beatenberg
- Amanda Black, Afro-soul singer-songwriter
- BlackByrd, pop trio
- BLK JKS, rock band
- Elvis Blue, musician and songwriter
- Bongo Maffin, kwaito music group
- Boo!, band
- Boom Shaka, kwaito music group
- Stef Bos, singer
- Cristina Boshoff, folk pop singer and pianist
- Brasse Vannie Kaap, hip-hop group
- Bles Bridges, singer
- Bright Blue, 1980s pop band, best known for the hit song "Weeping"
- The Brother Moves On, performance art ensemble
- Buckfever Underground, folk/punk/art band
- Bucie, R&B and soul singer
- Bulletscript, metal band
- Busiswa, house musician
- Jonathan Butler, singer-songwriter and guitarist
- Guy Buttery, guitar player
C
- Adrienne Camp, singer-songwriter
- Captain Stu, ska, funk, punk, and soul fusion band
- Arno Carstens, former lead singer of Springbok Nude Girls
- Louise Carver, folk rock singer-songwriter and pianist
- Cassette, rock band
- Cassper Nyovest, rapper and record producer
- Tony Cedras, musician
- Chad,, rapper
- Yvonne Chaka Chaka, singer
- Chris Chameleon, solo artist, lead singer and bass guitarist for Boo
- Blondie Chaplin, singer and guitarist
- Jesse Clegg
- Johnny Clegg
- Clout, 1970s rock group
- Basil Coetzee, saxophonist
- Mimi Coertse, soprano singer
- Fifi Cooper, singer
- Tony Cox, guitarist
- Crashcarburn, rock band
- Cutting Jade, five-piece rock group
- Civil Twilight, four-piece rock band
- Crow Black Sky, black metal band
- Costa Titch, Amapiano rapper and dancer
- Covenant Voices, mass gospel choir with elements of traditional Zulu music, jazz, R&B and contemporary music
D
- Da L.E.S, hip-hop artist
- Simphiwe Dana
- Danny K, R&B singer-songwriter
- Kurt Darren, singer
- Pierre de Charmoy, singer-songwriter
- Steven De Groote, classical pianist and winner of the Van Cliburn International Piano Competition
- Fanie de Jager, operatic tenor
- Die Antwoord, alternative hip hop group
- Die Heuwels Fantasties, Afrikaans rock band
- Bonginkosi Dlamini, poet, actor and singer, also known as Zola
- Dollar Brand
- Donald, singer
- Dorp, rock band
- Downfall, ska and punk band
- Dr Victor and the Rasta Rebels, reggae
- Dreamteam, hip-hop group from Durban
- Jabulani Dubazana, singer, Ladysmith Black Mambazo
- Lucky Dube
- Ampie du Preez, singer and guitarist
- Johnny Dyani, jazz double bassist
- DJ Speedsta, hip-hop DJ
E
- Dennis East, singer
- Shane Eagle, hip-hop artist
- Alton Edwards, singer
- Eden, pop band
- Elaine, singer and songwriter
- Endorphine
- Emtee, hip-hop artist
- Dawid Engela, composer and musicologist
- éVoid, 1980s new wave
- Erica Eloff, soprano
F
- The Fake Leather Blues Band
- Falling Mirror, alternative rock band
- Brenda Fassie
- Ricky Fataar, drummer
- Duncan Faure, singer-songwriter formerly with the band Rabbitt
- Mongezi Feza, trumpet player and flautist
- Anton Fig, drummer
- Josh Fix, singer-songwriter
- Fokofpolisiekar, Afrikaans rock band
- Foto na Dans, Afrikaans rock band
- Four Jacks and a Jill, folk rock ensemble
- Johnny Fourie, jazz guitarist
- Freshlyground, Afro-fusion band
- Fuzigish, ska punk band
G
- Hotep Idris Galeta, jazz pianist
- Goldfish, electronic duo
- Goodluck, electronic music band
- Anton Goosen, singer
- Die Grafsteensangers, comical entertainment group
H
- Half Price, punk rock band
- Paul Hanmer, composer, pianist, and jazz musician
- The Helicopters, pop rock band active in the 1980s
- Ken E Henson, musician
- Henry Ate, band
- Sonja Herholdt, singer-songwriter
- Hog Hoggidy Hog, band
- Steve Hofmeyr, singer and actor
I
- Abdullah Ibrahim
- Zaki Ibrahim, singer-songwriter
- iFANi, hip-hop/rap artist,
- Isochronous, rock band
J
- Jabu Khanyile
- Robbie Jansen
- Jeremy Loops, modern folk, singer
- Theuns Jordaan, singer and songwriter
- Claire Johnston, lead singer of Mango Groove
- Trevor Jones, composer
- Armand Joubert, singer-songwriter
- Joy, a vocal group
- John Edmond, singer
- John Ireland, singer and songwriter
- Juluka, band
- Just Jinjer
- JR, rapper
- Junkyard Lipstick, five-piece, female metal band
- L-Tido, hip-hop artist, aka 16V
K
- Kabelo Mabalane, kwaito artist, former member of TKZee
- Kabza de small, an amapiano producer and DJ
- Kalahari Surfers
- Kamo Mphela, an amapiano musician and dancer
- K.Keed, hip hop artist and rapper
- Wouter Kellerman, flautist
- Johannes Kerkorrel
- Sibongile Khumalo, singer
- Francois Klark, pop singer based in Canada
- KOBUS!, band
- Koos Kombuis
- John Kongos
- Kongos, band
- Gé Korsten
- David Kramer
- Kwesta, hip-hop artist and poet
- K.O, hip-hop artist and record producer
- Kyle Watson, record producer and DJ
L
- Felix Laband, electronic musician
- Riku Lätti, songwriter, composer, music producer
- Ladysmith Black Mambazo, isicathamiya group
- Don Laka, jazz musician, pianist, producer
- Robert Lange, music producer
- Lark, band
- Jack Lerole, tin whistle player; singer
- Solomon Linda, songwriter
- Lira, singer
- Locnville, electro hop music duo
- Steve Louw, singer-songwriter
- Roger Lucey, singer and guitarist
- Lucky Dube, singer and keyboard player
M
- Mark Haze, rock singer
- Sipho Mabuse, singer
- Arthur Mafokate, kwaito singer and composer
- Mahlathini and the Mahotella Queens, a mbaqanga band
- Vusi Mahlasela
- B Major
- Patricia Majalisa, bubblegum artist
- Mandisi Dyantjis is a South African musician, composer, and trumpeter
- Makgona Tsohle Band, a mbaqanga instrumental band
- Bongi Makeba, singer-songwriter
- Miriam Makeba
- Malaika (group)
- Petronel Malan, concert pianist
- Man As Machine
- Mandoza, kwaito singer
- Mango Groove
- Mildred Mangxola, singer in Mahlathini and the Mahotella Queens and member of the Mahotella Queens
- Manfred Mann
- MarcAlex, group known for the hit "Quick Quick"
- Josef Marais
- Martin PK
- Hugh Masekela
- Dorothy Masuka, jazz singer
- Neels Mattheus, traditional musician
- Dave Matthews, lead singer and founding member of Dave Matthews Band
- Irene Mawela, veteran singer and composer
- Illana May
- Abednego Mazibuko, singer with Ladysmith Black Mambazo
- Albert Mazibuko, singer with Ladysmith Black Mambazo
- Thandiswa Mazwai
- Chris McGregor, jazz pianist and composer
- Busi Mhlongo, singer, dancer and composer
- Mind Assault
- Moreira Chonguica, jazz saxophonist and producer
- Kippie Moeketsi, saxophonist
- Moeniel Jacobs, Cape Malay musician and renowned Bo-Kaap member
- Pops Mohamed, jazz musician
- Louis Moholo, drummer
- Matthew Mole
- Moonchild Sanelly, musician and dancer
- Moozlie, hip-hop artist and television presenter
- Lebo Morake
- Shaun Morgan, singer also known as Shaun Morgan Welgemoed
- Ike Moriz, singer, composer and lyricist
- Jean Morrison, alternative rock singer-songwriter
- Mshengu White Mambazo, junior choir of Ladysmith Black Mambazo
- Mthunzi, amapiano singer-songwriter
- Colbert Mukwevho, reggae singer
- Russel Mthembu, singer with Ladysmith Black Mambazo
- Muzi, electronic musician
- MVZZLE, record producer
- Msaki singer-songwriter, composer
N
- Nádine, singer-songwriter
- The Narrow
- Nasty C, hip-hop artist and record producer
- Bongani Ndodana-Breen, composer
- Jim Neversink, alternative country singer-songwriter and guitarist
- New Academics
- Steve Newman
- Bernoldus Niemand
- Simon "Mahlathini" Nkabinde, Mbaqanga singer
- Nkosazana Daughter, an upcoming amapiano artist
- West Nkosi, mbaqanga musician
- No Friends of Harry
- Nobesuthu Mbadu, singer in Mahlathini and the Mahotella Queens and member of the Mahotella Queens
- Siphiwo Ntshebe, operatic tenor from New Brighton, Port Elizabeth
- Ashton Nyte, solo artist as well as lead singer and producer of The Awakening
- Nadia Nakai, hip-hop artist
O
- Sarah Oates, violinist and associate leader Philharmonia orchestra
- Wendy Oldfield, rock singer-songwriter
- Oskido, record producer and songwriter
P
- Jack Parow, hip-hop artist
- The Parlotones, indie rock band
- Al Paton, singer-songwriter, producer, and percussionist
- Orville Peck, country musician
- Petit Cheval, New Romantic rock group
- Ray Phiri, Jazz, jazz fusion, reggae and mbaqanga musician
- James Phillips, singer-songwriter also known as Bernoldus Niemand
- Anke Pietrangeli, winner of the second series of Idols
- Dizu Plaatjies, founder and former lead singer of Amampondo
- PJ Powers
- Prime Circle, rock band
- Professor, Kwaito musician
- Dudu Pukwana, saxophonist, pianist, and composer
- Purified, Christian hip-hop artist
Q
R
- Rabbitt
- Trevor Rabin, musician
- Dolly Rathebe
- Laurika Rauch, Afrikaans singer
- Reason, rapper
- Surendran Reddy pianist and composer
- Riddare av Koden
- Riky Rick, hip-hop artist and record producer
- Rooibaardt, rock band
- Rouge (rapper)
S
- Sandy B, house music singer
- Savuka, band
- Robert Schneider of The Apples in Stereo
- Leon Schuster, singer
- Seether, formerly called Saron Gas, hard rock and alternative metal band
- Gerard Sekoto
- Judith Sephuma, jazz and Afro-pop singer
- Jockey Shabalala, singer with Ladysmith Black Mambazo
- Joseph Shabalala, lead singer and founder of Ladysmith Black Mambazo
- Msizi Shabalala, singer with Ladysmith Black Mambazo
- Sibongiseni Shabalala, singer with Ladysmith Black Mambazo
- Troye Sivan, South African-born
- Thamsanqa Shabalala, singer with Ladysmith Black Mambazo
- Thulani Shabalala, singer with Ladysmith Black Mambazo
- Shane Eagle, hip-hop artist and lyricist
- Shiraz, band active 1984–1984
- Silver Creek Mountain Band, folk band
- Margaret Singana
- Robert Sithole, pennywhistle player
- Skylight, pop rock band
- Kyla-Rose Smith, violinist and dancer
- Enoch Sontonga, teacher, lay-preacher and composer who wrote "Nkosi Sikelel' iAfrika"
- South African National Youth Orchestra
- Springbok Nude Girls
- The Square Set
- Zanne Stapelberg, opera soprano
- Dale Stewart
- Sterling EQ, Classical crossover group
- Stimela, Afro-fusion band formed in 1982
- Straatligkinders, Afrikaans rock band
- Sugardrive, rock group
- Valiant Swart
- Okmalumkoolkat, hip-hop artist
- Stogie T, hip-hop artist
- Sun-El Musician, DJ and music producer
T
- Tananas
- Taxi Violence
- Peta Teanet, singer
- TKZee, kwaito group
- Hilda Tloubatla, lead singer of Mahotella Queens, and singer in Mahlathini and the Mahotella Queens
- Tokollo Tshabalala, kwaito singer also known as Magesh
- Peter Toussaint, singer-songwriter and guitar player
- Toya Delazy, pop singer and pianist
- Tribe After Tribe, alternative rock band
- Tuks, hip-hop artist
- Tumi and the Volume, hip-hop music ensemble
- Tweak, alternative rock band
- Tyla, a South African pop artist
U
- Uhuru, Kwaito and afropop music group
- Uncle Waffles, Swazi-born DJ and record producer
- Urban Creep, rock band
V
- Bobby van Jaarsveld, singer-songwriter and actor
- Bok van Blerk
- Van Coke Kartel, Afrikaans alternative rock band
- Amor Vittone, singer
W
- Watershed, pop rock band founded in 1998
- Shaun Welgemoed
- Heinz Winckler, singer who won the first series of Idols
- Winston's Jive Mixup, tenor saxophone player
- Babes Wodumo, gqom musician
- Wonderboom, rock band
- Markus Wormstorm, electronic musician and composer
Y
- Pretty Yende, operatic soprano from Piet Retief, Mpumalanga
- Yorxe, singer and songwriter
- YoungstaCPT, rapper and songwriter
Z
- Zahara, singer-songwriter and poet
- Zebra & Giraffe, alternative rock band
- Karen Zoid
- Zola
- Zonke, singer-songwriter and record producer
- DJ Zinhle, DJ and producer