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
- African Children's Choir
- Afrotraction
- AKA, hip-hop artist and record producer
- Akustika Chamber Singers, chamber choir from Pretoria
- aKing, South African acoustic rock band
- Amanda Black, Multi-award winning and platinum-selling Afro-soul singer-songwriter
- Amampondo, award-winning traditional Xhosa percussion group from Cape Town
- Anatii (born 1993), hip-hop artist and record producer
- A-Reece (born 1997), hip-hop artist and lyricist
- Leigh Ashton (born 1956), singer-songwriter from Johannesburg
- Assagai, Afro-rock band
- The Awakening, gothic rock
B
- Babes Wodumo, gqom musician
- Ballyhoo, 1980s pop band best known for the hit "Man on the Moon"
- The Bang
- Leonel Bastos (born 1956), Mozambiquan adult contemporary musician and producer working in South Africa
- Battery 9
- BlackByrd
- Busiswa, house musician
- BLK JKS
- Elvis Blue, musician and songwriter
- Boo!
- Bles Bridges (1947–2000), singer
- Stef Bos
- Cristina Boshoff
- Jonathan Butler, singer-songwriter and guitarist
- The Brother Moves On
- Brasse Vannie Kaap
- Bright Blue, 1980s pop band, best known for the hit song "Weeping"
- Buckfever Underground
- Beatenberg
- Bongo Maffin, kwaito music group
- Boom Shaka
- Bucie (born 1987), R&B and soul singer
- Guy Buttery
C
- Adrienne Camp, singer-songwriter
- Captain Stu, ska, funk, punk, and soul fusion band
- Arno Carstens, former lead singer of Springbok Nude Girls
- Cassette
- Cassper Nyovest, rapper and record producer
- Tony Cedras (born 1952), musician
- Chad, (born 1993), rapper
- Yvonne Chaka Chaka, singer
- Chris Chameleon, solo artist, lead singer and bass guitarist for Boo
- Blondie Chaplin, singer and guitarist
- Jesse Clegg (born 1988)
- Johnny Clegg (born 1953)
- Clout, 1970s rock group
- Basil Coetzee (1944–1998), saxophonist
- Mimi Coertse (born 1932), musician
- Tony Cox (born 1954), guitarist
- Crashcarburn
- Crossingpoint, Christian progressive hardcore band
- Cutting Jade
- Civil Twilight
- Crow Black Sky
D
- Da L.E.S (born 1985), hip-hop artist
- Simphiwe Dana (born 1980)
- Danny K (Daniel Koppel), R&B singer-songwriter
- Kurt Darren, singer
- Pierre de Charmoy
- Steven De Groote (1953–1989), classical pianist and winner of the Van Cliburn International Piano Competition
- Fanie de Jager (born 1949), operatic tenor
- Die Antwoord
- Die Heuwels Fantasties
- Bonginkosi Dlamini (born 1977), poet, actor and singer, also known as Zola
- Dollar Brand (born 1934)
- Donald, singer
- Dorp
- Downfall
- Dr Victor and the Rasta Rebels, reggae
- Dreamteam, hip-hop group from Durban
- Jabulani Dubazana, singer, Ladysmith Black Mambazo
- Lucky Dube (1964–2007)
- Duck and Cover, hard rock band
- Ampie du Preez, singer and guitarist
- Johnny Dyani (1945–1986), jazz double bassist
E
- Dennis East, singer
- Shane Eagle (b. 1996), hip-hop artist
- Alton Edwards, singer
- Eden, pop band
- Elaine, singer and songwriter
- Endorphine
- Emtee (b. 1992), hip-hop artist
- Dawid Engela (1931–1967), composer and musicologist
- éVoid, 1980s new wave
- Erica Eloff, soprano
- Early B (b. 1991) ,hip hop artist
F
- The Fake Leather Blues Band
- Falling Mirror
- Brenda Fassie (1964–2004)
- Ricky Fataar (born 1952), drummer
- Duncan Faure, singer-songwriter formerly with the band Rabbitt
- Mongezi Feza (1945–1975), trumpet player and flautist
- Anton Fig, drummer
- Josh Fix
- Fokofpolisiekar, Afrikaans rock band
- Foto na Dans, Afrikaans rock band
- Four Jacks and a Jill
- Johnny Fourie (1937–2007), jazz guitarist
- Freshlyground
- Fuzigish
- Fifi Cooper
G
- Hotep Idris Galeta (born 1941), jazz pianist
- Goldfish
- Anton Goosen (born 1946), singer
- Die Grafsteensangers
- Goodluck
H
- Half Price (band)
- Paul Hanmer, composer, pianist, and jazz musician
- The Helicopters
- Ken E Henson (born 1947), musician
- Henry Ate
- Sonja Herholdt
- Hog Hoggidy Hog
- Steve Hofmeyr (born 1964), singer and actor
- Die Heuwels Fantasties
I
- Abdullah Ibrahim (born 1934)
- iFANi
- Isochronous
J
- Jabu Khanyile (1957–2006)
- Jack Parow
- Robbie Jansen (1949–2010)
- Jeremy Loops (born 1986), modern folk, singer
- Jesse Jordan Band
- Theuns Jordaan (born 1971), singer and songwriter
- Claire Johnston (born 1967), lead singer of Mango Groove
- Trevor Jones (born 1949), composer
- Armand Joubert
- Joy, a vocal group
- John Edmond (born 1936), singer
- John Ireland (born 1954), singer and songwriter
- Julian Bahula, jazz drummer*Juluka
- Just Jinjer (previously Just Jinger)
- JR, rapper
- Junkyard Lipstick
- L-Tido (born 1982), hip-hop artist, aka 16V
K
- Kabelo Mabalane (born 1976), kwaito artist, former member of TKZee
- Kalahari Surfers
- Wouter Kellerman, South African flautist
- Johannes Kerkorrel (1960–2002)
- Sibongile Khumalo (born 1957), singer
- KOBUS!
- Koos Kombuis (born 1954)
- John Kongos (born 1945)
- Kongos
- Gé Korsten (1927–1999)
- David Kramer (born 1951)
- Kwesta, hip-hop artist and poet
- K.O, hip-hop artist and record producer
L
- Felix Laband, electronic musician
- Riku Lätti, songwriter, composer, music producer
- Ladysmith Black Mambazo (born 1960), isicathamiya group
- Don Laka, jazz musician, pianist, producer
- Robert Lange (born 1948), music producer
- Lani Groves
- Lark
- Jack Lerole (c.1940–2003), tin whistle player; singer
- Solomon Linda, songwriter
- Lira
- Locnville
- Roger Lucey, singer and guitarist
- Lucky Dube, singer and keyboard player
M
- Mark Haze, Rock singer
- Sipho Mabuse (born 1951), singer
- Arthur Mafokate, kwaito singer and composer
- Mahlathini and the Mahotella Queens, a mbaqanga band
- Vusi Mahlasela (born 1965)
- Makgona Tsohle Band (1964–1999), a mbaqanga instrumental band
- Bongi Makeba (1950–1985), singer-songwriter
- Miriam Makeba (1932–2008)
- Malaika (group)
- Petronel Malan (1974–), concert pianist
- Man As Machine
- Mandoza (born 1978), kwaito singer
- Mango Groove
- Mildred Mangxola (born 1944), 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 (1905–1978)
- Martin PK
- Hugh Masekela (born 1939)
- Dorothy Masuka (born 1935), jazz singer
- Neels Mattheus (1935-2003), traditional musician
- Dave Matthews (born 1967), lead singer and founding member of Dave Matthews Band
- Irene Mawela (born 1940), veteran singer and composer
- Illana May
- Abednego Mazibuko, singer with Ladysmith Black Mambazo
- Albert Mazibuko (born 1948), singer with Ladysmith Black Mambazo
- Thandiswa Mazwai (born 1976)
- Chris McGregor (1936–1990), jazz pianist and composer
- Busi Mhlongo (1947–2010), singer, dancer and composer
- Mind Assault
- Moreira Chonguica (born 1077), jazz saxophonist and producer
- Kippie Moeketsi (1925–1983), saxophonist
- Pops Mohamed (born 1949), jazz musician
- Louis Moholo (born 1940), drummer
- Matthew Mole
- Lebo Morake (aka Lebo M)
- Shaun Morgan (born 1980), singer also known as Shaun Morgan Welgemoed
- Jean Morrison
- Mshengu White Mambazo (1976–2003), junior choir of Ladysmith Black Mambazo
- Russel Mthembu, singer with Ladysmith Black Mambazo
- Moozlie (born 1992), hip-hop artist and television presenter
- Muzi (born 1991), electronic musician
N
- Nádine (born 1982), singer-songwriter
- The Narrow
- Nasty C (born 1997), hip-hop artist and record producer
- Bongani Ndodana-Breen, composer
- Jim Neversink, alternative country singer-songwriter and guitarist
- New Academics
- Steve Newman
- Bernoldus Niemand (1959–1995)
- Simon "Mahlathini" Nkabinde (1937–1999), Mbaqanga singer
- West Nkosi (1940–1998), mbaqanga musician
- No Friends of Harry
- Nobesuthu Mbadu (born 1945), singer in Mahlathini and the Mahotella Queens and member of the Mahotella Queens
- Siphiwo Ntshebe (1974–2010), operatic tenor from New Brighton, Port Elizabeth
- Ashton Nyte, solo artist as well as lead singer and producer of The Awakening
- Thys Nywerheid
- Nadia Nakai (born 1990), 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
- Al Paton, singer-songwriter, producer, and percussionist
- Peter Toussaint
- Petit Cheval
- James Phillips, singer-songwriter also known as Bernoldus Niemand
- Anke Pietrangeli (born 1982), winner of the second series of Idols
- Dizu Plaatjies, founder and former lead singer of Amampondo
- Plush
- PJ Powers (born 1960)
- Prime Circle
- Professor (born 1978), Kwaito musician
- Dudu Pukwana (1938–1990), saxophonist, pianist, and composer
- Purified, Christian hip-hop artist
- Patricia Majalisa, bubblegum artist
Q
R
- Rabbitt
- Trevor Rabin (born 1954), musician
- Dolly Rathebe (1928–2004)
- Laurika Rauch, Afrikaans singer
- Riddare av Koden
- Surendran Reddy (1962–2010) pianist and composer
- Riky Rick (born 1987), hip-hop artist and record producer
- Robin Auld
- Ray Phiri (1947-2017), Jazz, jazz fusion, reggae and mbaqanga musician
S
- Sandy B
- Savuka
- Robert Schneider of The Apples in Stereo
- Leon Schuster
- Seether, formerly called Saron Gas
- Gerard Sekoto (1913–1993)
- Judith Sephuma
- Jockey Shabalala (1943–2006), singer with Ladysmith Black Mambazo
- Joseph Shabalala (born 1941), lead singer and founder of Ladysmith Black Mambazo
- Msizi Shabalala (born 1975), singer with Ladysmith Black Mambazo
- Sibongiseni Shabalala (born 1973), singer with Ladysmith Black Mambazo
- Troye Sivan (born 1995), South African-born
- Thamsanqa Shabalala (born 1977), singer with Ladysmith Black Mambazo
- Thulani Shabalala (born 1968), singer with Ladysmith Black Mambazo
- Shane Eagle (born 1996), hip-hop artist and lyricist
- Shiraz, band active between 1984 - 1984
- Margaret Singana (1938–2000)
- Robert Sithole, pennywhistle player
- Skylight (band)
- Kyla-Rose Smith (born 1982), violinist and dancer
- Sonja Herholdt
- Enoch Sontonga, teacher, lay-preacher and composer who wrote "Nkosi Sikelel' iAfrika"
- South African National Youth Orchestra
- Springbok Nude Girls
- Zanne Stapelberg (born 1977), opera soprano
- Dale Stewart (born 1979)
- Sterling EQ
- Stimela band formed in 1982
- Straatligkinders
- Sugardrive
- Valiant Swart
- Okmalumkoolkat (born 1983), hip-hop artist
T
- Tananas
- Taxi Violence
- Peta Teanet, singer
- TKZee, kwaito group
- Hilda Tloubatla (born 1942), 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
- Tuks, hip-hop artist
- Tumi and the Volume
- Tweak
U
- Uhuru— Kwaito and afropop music group
- Urban Creep
V
- Bobby van Jaarsveld (born 1987), singer-songwriter and actor
- Bok van Blerk (born 1978)
- Jason van Wyk (born 1990), musician, composer
- Van Coke Kartel
- Amor Vittone (born 1972)
- Valiant Swart (born 1965)
W
- Watershed
- Wargrave
- Shaun Welgemoed (born 1978)
- Heinz Winckler (born 1978), singer who won the first series of Idols
- Winston's Jive Mixup
- Wonderboom
- Markus Wormstorm, electronic musician and composer
Y
- Pretty Yende (born 1985), operatic soprano from Piet Retief, Mpumalanga
- YoungstaCPT (born 1991), rapper and songwriter
Z
- Zahara, singer-songwriter and poet
- Zebra & Giraffe
- Karen Zoid (born 1978)
- Zola (born 1977)
- Zonke (born 1979)