Here are the tracks chosen by music producer DJ Cleo as song of the year.
We're only five days into the new year, but the debate over 2024's song of the year is heating up.
There was no outright winner for Song of the Year in 2024, as at least four songs dominated the country's biggest radio stations and regions across the country.
Mtandeni “SK” Mankele song gucciKarishma chock slamSol Fenduka's Dikaban and Billi Marun The four cases by Mr. Pilate have been claimed by many people.
Veteran DJ and music producer DJ Cleo is one of those who made the latter argument.
Also read: There is no outright winner for SA's 2024 Song of the Year
Cleo's defense of Billi Marun
Cleo has a show on National Radio 2000. escareni party every Friday night.
He hosted the New Year's Eve edition on Tuesday night, and did a live countdown.
“We had to be strategic about how we laid out the show,” Cleo said in an interview with Newzroom Afrika.
“I went straight to 1 o'clock, did a countdown, and there was a live event, so I went on stage and broadcast it. But I had set up a producer to play it. Billi Marun “Sometimes,” he declared.
“As a traveling DJ, Billi Marun It is located in the provinces of Setswana and Sesotho, and has some Zulu as well. And I travel to KZN and I see the impact it's having on that region and automatically I'll see that [a] candidate. ”
The song was nowhere to be found on KZN's biggest radio stations, Ukhozi FM and Gagasi FM.
Mr. Mankele gucci The former won the BlaQ Major title Sudakiwe Subari It was chosen as the best by Gagasi.
“Bili Marun had a huge impact nationally and internationally,” Cleo said, noting that the song was popular in countries such as Nigeria and Congo.
There is some truth to this, as a video of George Weah, former President of Liberia and the only African player to win the Ballon d'Or, dancing to the song at a New Year's celebration has gone viral on social media. .
Former Liberian President George Weah celebrates the New Year with dance steps. pic.twitter.com/Mzzm8mu1Lm
— Africa Facts Zone (@AfricaFactsZone) January 4, 2025
“We are in a time where Amapiano has polarized the entertainment industry and lost musical diversity,” Cleo said.
Metro FM is Radio 2000's sister station. Billi Marun Number one title on New Year's Eve.
Also read: How South African celebrities celebrated 2025 [VIDEO]
Sol is resolute in Dikaban.
Sol Fenduka's “Dikabang” was ranked as the song of the year only on Lesedi FM, but some thought the song should have won outright on other stations as well.
Kaya FM's on-air personality shared statistics from Radiomonitor, which monitors music played on radio and television in over 120 countries.
Number 1. nationwide pic.twitter.com/ay2rS2cbo9
— Thandubuntu Solomji (@Solphendukaa) January 4, 2025
sol shared it Dikaban Most played on all radio stations in South Africa from Friday 27 December 2024 to 2 January 2025
This song was released in May 2024.
Also read: Ukhozi’s song of the year SABC backs Subongi Ngcobo as drama drags on
music consumption
The situation is different from 20 years ago when it was a hit song for Malaika. destiny It was the undisputed crossover truck in South Africa.
Differences in the way people consume music compared to 20 years ago are impacting the popularity of songs as people are deprived of the opportunity to choose between streaming platforms and are less reliant on radio stations. .
destiny In 2004, Malaika's debut album sold over 350,000 copies, went 7x platinum, topped radio charts across South Africa, and was considered a milestone in the country's musical history.
Today, it is no longer possible to determine impact based solely on radio numbers. Countless people have chosen to stream their favorite songs and blast them out of their Bluetooth speakers when the clock strikes midnight, without bothering to turn on the radio.
Some of the buzz from the sound system not mentioned is that of Mr. Vee Sholo. Avantu BamSpirit of Preyrise Bamba MzalwaneNdisize by Caiiro featuring Ami Faku, Urele – Artist: Heavy-K
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