The South African recorded music industry has doubled in value since 2017, with more growth on the way, as a boom in domestic talent has helped to drive listeners to streaming.
South Africa’s music scene is making significant international strides, highlighted by Tyla’s historic debut on the Billboard Hot 100 in October 2023. The country’s vibrant music genres, particularly amapiano, are gaining global traction, with streaming numbers surging from 34 million in 2019 to over 300 million in 2021. This growth has propelled South Africa to become Sub-Saharan Africa’s fastest-growing music market, with a 20% revenue increase in 2023 following a 32% rise the previous year.
Streaming has become a major revenue driver, contributing nearly 75% of the total music income. The country’s thriving digital music sector is attracting global attention, with international artists like Burna Boy and Chris Brown embracing amapiano. As South Africa’s music infrastructure develops, the industry is poised for continued growth, fueling both local and international success.
“The South African recorded music industry has doubled in value since 2017… fuelled by the continuing explosion in the amapiano and afrobeats genres, which fans are consuming on streaming services and social media…” Yoel Kenan, Africori
Source: https://musically.com/
