Hugh Masekela
South Africa's jazz ambassador — his trumpet sang of freedom and exile.
Die Antwoord
Zef rave-rap from the Cape Flats — confrontational, bizarre, and globally influential.
Nasty C
Africa's most technically gifted young rapper — Durban to global stages.
Brenda Fassie
South Africa's most iconic pop and struggle-era voice.
Mafikizolo
South African Afropop duo blending kwaito and Afrobeat.
Black Coffee
South African house music's global ambassador.
The Johannesburg music scene
Johannesburg (South Africa) is represented on the Genesis of Sound map by 6 bands and artists across 5 genres. Post-apartheid Johannesburg exploded with creativity. Kwaito, jazz, and now Amapiano — the city is always inventing new genres.
The most represented genres are electronic (2), jazz (1) and hip-hop (1). The scene also includes pop and afrobeats.
The earliest year on record is Hugh Masekela (1959) and the latest is Nasty C (2012); the busiest decade on the map is the 2000s with 2 acts.
Notable acts to start with: Hugh Masekela, Die Antwoord, Nasty C and Brenda Fassie. Every entry links to Spotify, Apple Music and YouTube searches.
Nearby music scenes
Questions about Johannesburg music
What music is Johannesburg known for?
Johannesburg is known for rock, hip-hop, afrobeats music. Notable acts include Hugh Masekela, Die Antwoord, Nasty C.
How many bands are from Johannesburg?
The Genesis of Sound map features 6 bands and artists from Johannesburg, spanning jazz, electronic, hip-hop, pop, afrobeats.