TOP 10 MASKANDI ARTISTS 2024
Top 10 Maskandi Artists 2024: Maskandi music is a genre that originated in the KwaZulu-Natal region of South Africa during the 19th century. It is a powerful force that preserves Zulu traditions and heritage in modern-day South Africa, where many young people are influenced by Western culture. Maskandi is typically performed with the lead guitar or acoustic guitar, and it has been evolving over the years, with many artists making the Zulu Blues more interesting to listen to.
In this blog post, the ZaMaskandi Media team has delved deep to gather information about the Top 10 Maskandi artists of the year 2024. Our ranking follows no particular order, but we have used certain criteria to assess and rank these Maskandi artists.
* Popularity: This is perhaps the most obvious criterion, as the most popular artists are often considered the “best.” Popularity is measured by factors like record sales, streaming numbers, and social media followers.
* Artistic Achievements: This includes awards won, the number of albums or songs released, and critical acclaim from music critics and fans.
* Longevity and Influence: Some artists have had a long and enduring career in Maskandi music, and they have influenced the genre in significant ways.
* Originality and Innovation: Artists who push the boundaries of Maskandi music and bring something new to the genre are highly regarded.
* Stage Presence and Live Performance: Some artists are known for their powerful stage presence and captivating live performances, this elevate their status.
Let’s begin with the list, starting from the top and working our way down. Without any further delay, let’s get started;
1. Khuzani Mpungose: (Biography, Popularity & Achievements)
Khuzani Nkosikhona Innocent Mpungose, also known as Khuzani, is a popular contemporary Maskandi music artist. He was born and raised in Nkandla, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa in 1989, making him 34 years old. Khuzani is the face and king of Maskandi music and has a massive following on Facebook with over 2.3 million followers, which is the highest for any Maskandi music artist currently. He is the proud owner of Indlamlenze Group & Production record label.
Khuzani has won numerous awards throughout his career, the latest being the Best Maskandi Album of the Year at the South African Music Awards 2023 for his project titled “Umqhele neThawula”, which was released in December 2022. His most recent album, “Abolica Icala”, is breaking boundaries and creating barriers. The songs “Imali Yendoda” and “Mayakayaka” from the Abolica Icala project have over 900k and 800k views on YouTube as of April 14, 2024.
Khuzani is in high demand for shows and his performances attract a lot of fans in the South African Maskandi music community. He is considered the modern-day king of Maskandi and currently stands alone at the top.
2. uGatsheni: (Biography, Popularity & Achievements)
Mlungisi Khuzani Ndlovu, popularly known as Gatsheni, was born in Pongola, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa in 1990. In the Maskandi music industry, Gatsheni has made a significant impact and has achieved great success, which is why he is in the second position in our ranking. Despite his accolades, Gatsheni remains one of the most humble Maskandi artists around.
He has over 650k Facebook followers and attracts a large number of fans wherever he goes. Gatsheni has won many awards, but for this post, we will focus on his most recent achievements.
At the 2024 Cultural and Creative Industry Awards, he won the South African Best Newcomer award, defeating Grammy Award winner Tyla. He also won the Mother of All Maskandi Festival Top 30 Artist Award, which came with keys to a brand new Hummer Bus. Gatsheni’s hit song, “Hit After Hit,” released in December 2023, has over 4.5 million streams on YouTube. Many live Maskandi shows and political rallies without Gatsheni performing may seem incomplete. Some of his recent albums include Uyihlo Nonyoko (2023), ISIQENQE (2022), and Inhlupheko (2022).
3. Mthandeni SK: (Biography, Popularity & Achievements)
Mthandeni Manqele, also known as Mthandeni SK, is a popular contemporary Maskandi musician from Mtubatuba, a village in Kwazulu-Natal, South Africa, born in 1988. He has made a significant contribution to the Maskandi industry and is well-known for his versatility in blending traditional and modern styles.
He has a considerable following on Facebook, with over 200k followers. Mthandeni SK has received numerous awards and accolades, including the Best Maskandi Artist at the Metro FM Awards in 2017 and the Best Maskandi Album at the South African Traditional Music Awards (SATMA) in 2018 for his album “Igqumeni”. In 2023, he won the Best Male Artist of the Year at the Zulu Music Awards (ZMA) for his outstanding contributions to the Maskandi genre. His hit song “Paris” featuring Lwah Ndlunkulu has gained immense popularity among the Zulu community and has over 17 million views on YouTube in less than a year of release.
4. Inkosi Yamagcokama: (Biography, Popularity & Achievements)
Inkosi Yamagcokama was born and raised in Nongoma, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Nongoma is a culturally significant town and is known as the seat of the Zulu king. Growing up in the rural areas of Nongoma gave Inkosi Yamagcokama a deep connection to Zulu culture and traditional music. The songs and stories he heard during his childhood had a significant influence on his Maskandi style and songwriting.
He currently has over 540k followers on Facebook and has received numerous accolades, including the Best Maskandi Artist of the Year award at the SATMA awards in 2023. His latest album, “National Anthem,” is receiving a great response on streaming platforms, with songs like “Kuyazenzakalela” and “National Anthem” having over a million views on YouTube within a few months of their release.
5. Mzukulu: (Biography, Popularity & Achievements)
Mzukulu, comes from Ngungumbane KwaZulu-Natal district in South Africa. He is the son of the late maskandi performers Phumangelakhe and Thuleleni (Ma-Hlela) Buthelezi. His grandfather, Zimele Buthelezi, is a famous figure in the maskandi music scene.
Mzukulu has a massive following of over 405k fans on Facebook. He debuted his first album, Vukani Nonke, in 2017. His latest song “Ijuba” featuring Shenge Wasehlalankosi has received over 2.3 million views on YouTube in under five months. The song is the fifth track on his recent project “IJUBA”. Mzukulu was nominated for the SAMA 2022 award for his hit album “Ivila Laselawini”, but Thokozani Langa won the award.
6. Limit Nala: (Biography, Popularity & Achievements)
Limit Nala is a rising star in the maskandi music industry, known for his electrifying live performances and captivating music.
With a sizable following of 266k fans on Facebook and 83k likes on his page, he’s quickly gaining popularity both online and offline. Some of his recent albums include “No Chance” (released in 2023) and “I-Mathematics” (released in 2022). Four of his songs, namely “Mawalawala”, “Hhayi Suka! Hhayi Man”, “Ubhanqiwe Wena”, and “Fusegi Ngempela Manje” have already garnered over a million views on YouTube. These songs are part of his “No Chance” album, which was released in 2023 and is considered his biggest hit yet. Some have even dubbed him the “future king of Maskandi music”.
7. Thokozani Langa: (Biography, Popularity & Achievements)
Thokozani ‘Somnandi’ Langa was born in Mahlabathini, Ulundi, KwaZulu Natal, South Africa in 1972. He has been a prominent figure in the maskandi music genre for many years, having released his third studio album in 2004.
With over 60,000 Facebook followers, he has a considerable online presence. Langa has been nominated for the SAMA award twice, in 2005 and 2006, for his albums “Peni Nephepha” and “Lishonil’ Ilanga” respectively. He has won the SAMA award three times for the Best Maskandi Album of the Year, in 2012, 2014, and 2020. His latest project, titled “Kwabheda Umswenko,” was released on November 10, 2023.
8. Dumakahle: (Biography, Popularity & Achievements)
Dumakahle Maphathefika Nkosi, popularly known as Dumakahle, is a highly talented maskandi artist from Vryheid, KwaZulu-Natal. He was born in 1995 and has gained a large following on Facebook, with over 600k followers. His most recent project, “Ikhehla lase lenke,” was released in December 203. While there is limited information on his awards and accolades, we will be sure to update this information as it becomes available.
9. Menzi: (Biography, Popularity & Achievements)
Menzi Mabizela is a Maskandi musician from KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, who has been pushing boundaries and breaking limits in the industry. He has a substantial following of over 96,000 people on Facebook as of April 14th, 2024. His most recent album, “Chabo,” released last year, and his latest extended play, “Wawungekho,” are both gaining a lot of traction on YouTube. It’s worth noting that the artist’s contract was terminated by his record label, and he is currently running his own record label called “MENZI MUSIC.” As a result of his recent successes, he has earned a place on our list of the Top 10 Maskandi Artists in 2024.
10. Izingane Zoma: (Biography, Popularity & Achievements)
Izingane Zoma is a female Maskandi group that is based in Nquthu, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. The group was formed in 1993 and has gained a significant following with 41k followers on Facebook. In 2011, they were nominated for SATMA Best Video of the Year, and in 2020, they were nominated for SAMA Best Album of the Year.
