Apple Music’s celebration of Heritage Month continues this September shining a light on Mzansi’s greatest musical legends with its latest Amaqhawe initiative. In honour of the country’s rich musical tapestry and Heritage Day on 24 September South African musical Icons Judith Sephuma, Ringo Madlingozi, J’Something and Slikour spotlighted 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 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.

Speaking on their playlist the musical greats highlighted the following: 

“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

“The greatest thing in my career is that our country really loves and supports us. My career has been such a blessing since A Cry, A smile and a Dance was released and I was lucky enough to have more than one song play on the radio. My playlist is really a reflection of the powerful female voices who I have been inspired by throughout my career” 

“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

“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.