Watch out amapiano, Lekompo is set to be the next big thing in South African music
TikTok has become the hub for discovering new music. In a fast-paced technological world, sometimes it’s hard to keep up with what’s new and what’s hot since there are so many bangers being released.
My followers on Instagram and Facebook know that Saturdays are reserved for Maskandi. I play this genre from morning when doing the house chores and if I have to step outside for a meeting with a friend or run a few errands, I will still bump Maskandi in the car.
Late last year, I was going to Thebe Magugu’s house in Houghton and since It was a hot Saturday morning, I was playing Maskandi as usual. After that, I had to run errands on my drive back to Soweto.
I remembered a song “Chokeslam” that I heard on TikTok and decided to lend it an ear. I repeated it until I arrived at Trade Route Mall and boy, I was hooked.
Since then, I’ve been playing it almost every weekend as part of my Maskandi playlist. In December, during chiller sessions with my family, I realised that my brother’s wife also liked the song.
Even on TikTok, most Zulu people who couldn't even understand the lyrics liked the sound and we were told that the genre is called Lekompo.
Lekompo is the same sound that describes Shebeshxt’s and Makhadzi’s music.
For those who grew up in rural Limpopo, Lekompo is not new. This unique genre dates back to the early 2000s and was inspired by people working at the farms who would play Isaac “Spencerman” Madibana’s music.
And if you listen to amapiano, you will know that many songs, including Uncle Waffles’ “Peacock”, are inspired by old music. That song was adapted from Splash's 1986 song, “Peacock”.
The current Limpopo youth also took Spencerman’s sound and ran with it as they continued to embrace their cultures by singing and rapping in their mother tongue.
Besides telling their life stories through music, some of them address social issues, and that's why people are warming up to the sound.
For example, vocalist Kharishma’s “Chokeslam”, which won Song of the Year on Thobela FM and Capricorn FM, addresses GBV.
Kharisma talks about how a lady was rescued from her abusive partner. However, after they helped her open the case at the police station, she still went back to the same lover and he beat her up again.
Many people relate to this as many women in South Africa often return to abusive relationships.
That song resonates with me as well because I had a childhood best friend, Fezile Hadebe, who passed away in 2010. She was murdered by her boyfriend, who showed signs of being abusive.
Like many women, my late friend had forgiven him several times for beating her until one day, he beat her to death and buried her in a shallow grave behind the outside toilet in his White City home in Soweto.
Since then, I have always raised awareness against GBV.
As a music fanatic, I believe Lekompo is the next big thing because it allows the youth, especially those from the rural areas, to express themselves the way they best know how.
Rural people have always been marginalised and seeing them create these opportunities for themselves is marvellous.
Upbeat music has always been a thing in Limpopo, and mixing that with indigenous languages such as Kholobedu adds that South African flavour that can take them to greater heights.
Look at how Master KG, an artist from Limpopo, became a global sensation with “Jerusalema” song.
Since then, he has uplifted many young musicians, including Nkosanaza Daughter, with whom he recently released an album.
Last year, we saw Makhadzi, a Lekompo artist, win a BET award. Those are some of the inspirational stories to prove that there is an opportunity for Lekompo to spread worldwide, these young artists just need to own it and embrace it.
I mean, if amapiano, an original South African genre, can take over the world, so can Lekompo. I believe the two offer a balance because Amapiano is usually chilled, and Kelvin Momo is great at producing those relaxed songs.
Meanwhile, Lekompo is bouncy and encourages you to get on your feet. Not only to dance, but to take charge in your life.
So, whether it’s motivation or a groove you’re looking for, do give Lekompo a chance and listen to the following bangers:
These are my top Lekompo songs:
“Oya Byang Kerekeng”
This song by Zoli White Smoke & SmeezyOn, featuring Miniasque Dididado & Tribby WaDi Bhoza talks about peer pressure. As a young person, you either stand your ground or succumb.
Tribby’s verse is my favourite. I like the opening line, how he acknowledges God, hypes himself and admits that the nightlife sometimes gets in between his relationship with God but he still prays.
“Jealous Down”
In this song, Makhadzi talks about how this generation has normalised cheating. Both men and women are changing partners and cannot commit to one person.
“Selaleng”
Featuring Master Chuza, Hitboss SA & Riri AJ, Janesh embraces her Limpopo culture and brags about how she is proud to be a Lekompo artist.
“Diya Boya”
Original Sedi released a festive banger, talking about how nice it is at a party. Featuring KhuJoyCrazy & LTC_hcirtsly, this song elevates the mood.
“Security Laka”
Shebeshxt is known for being playful with his “Tweaker” intro but, in this song, he poured his heart out. Featuring N*gga la Lekompo, both artists talk about the people who held them down during tough times.
For Shebe, it was his girlfriend who had always supported him before the fame and they still stayed together even after losing their child in a car accident last year.