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Music

Mariah the Scientist Brings Her R&B Magic to SunBet Arena in 2026
Culture, Latest News, Music

Mariah the Scientist Brings Her R&B Magic to SunBet Arena in 2026

The New Year is set to open on a high note for R&B lovers in Johannesburg and Pretoria. Mariah the Scientist, the platinum-selling singer-songwriter whose work continues to shape contemporary R&B, will perform live at SunBet Arena in Pretoria on Saturday, 3 January 2026. The Atlanta-born artist has built a dedicated global following through her distinctive vocals and emotionally charged storytelling. Her latest album, HEARTS SOLD SEPARATELY, has already become a fan favourite, and her presence on Instagram, where she has more than 3 million followers, speaks to her influence across music and culture. Her South African show, presented by Vertex Events, is expected to offer a carefully curated experience that highlights both her new material and the music that first captured ...
Full Oskido’s Big Day Out Festival Line-Up Announced
Culture, Music

Full Oskido’s Big Day Out Festival Line-Up Announced

The countdown is on for one of the most anticipated music events of the year. Oskido’s Big Day Out returns this November, bringing together a legendary mix of South African talent for a celebration of sound, legacy, and culture. Following the first phase lineup announcement that confirmed DJ Fresh, TKZee, and DJ Cleo, the full artist roster is now here. Fans can expect unforgettable performances from: Zola 7 Revolution DJ Zinhle DJs@Work (Christos and Vinny) Admiral and Jahseed Mafikizolo Malaika Musical Maestro Kabza de Small DJ Kent Bobsta Mgiftana DJ Fresh DJ Cleo TKZee Oskido’s Big Day Out is more than a festival. It is a celebration of both classic and contemporary South African music, offering a space to relive iconic moments...
Black Coffee to Headline Africa Is Not a Jungle Festival in Durban and Johannesburg
Culture, Latest News, Music

Black Coffee to Headline Africa Is Not a Jungle Festival in Durban and Johannesburg

This November, the groundbreaking music movement Africa Is Not a Jungle returns with two highly anticipated events headlined by global music icon Black Coffee. The festival will take place on 8 November in Durban and 29 November in Johannesburg, uniting fans through music, culture, and community with a distinctly African voice. Founded to challenge outdated narratives about the continent, Africa Is Not a Jungle has grown into a cultural platform that showcases the creativity, innovation, and influence of African music on the global stage. Each edition celebrates the continent’s rhythm and artistry, creating spaces for African talent to shine both locally and internationally. At its core, Africa Is Not a Jungle is about visibility and empowerment. It gives artists the opportunity...
Gunna to Headline the Return of Milk + Cookies Festival in South Africa
Culture, Latest News, Music

Gunna to Headline the Return of Milk + Cookies Festival in South Africa

Milk + Cookies Music Week is set to make its highly anticipated return to South Africa from 24 December 2025 to 14 January 2026, bringing with it a fusion of music, art, and culture that celebrates South Africa’s dynamic creative spirit. Headlining this year’s event is multi-platinum hip-hop star Gunna, who will perform live in Cape Town and Johannesburg as part of the 21-day cultural celebration. The Atlanta-based production powerhouse Milk + Cookies, founded by four Morehouse College alumni, has confirmed that the festival will feature Gunna, known for global hits like “Drip Too Hard” and “Push Up.” His performances are scheduled for Kenilworth Racecourse in Cape Town on Saturday, 3 January 2026, and Nasrec Expo Centre in Johannesburg on Saturday, 10 January 2026. Adding to th...
TikTok for Artists Launches in South Africa to Boost Music Discovery and Artist Growth
Latest News, Music

TikTok for Artists Launches in South Africa to Boost Music Discovery and Artist Growth

TikTok has officially launched TikTok for Artists in South Africa, expanding its global rollout of the all-in-one music insights platform. Designed to give artists, their teams, and labels powerful data and tools, the platform helps creators better understand their music performance, engage with fans, and grow their careers both on and off TikTok. Turning Data Into Career Growth TikTok for Artists delivers daily-updated dashboards and in-depth analytics, giving creators transparent, actionable data on how their tracks and content are performing. From measuring song usage to understanding fan demographics, the platform allows artists to shape their strategy with precision. Key Features Include: Song Performance – Track views, creator posts, and engagement per song. Post...
Doja Cat Announced as First Headliner for Hey Neighbour Festival 2025!
Latest News, Music

Doja Cat Announced as First Headliner for Hey Neighbour Festival 2025!

📍 Johannesburg, South Africa – The wait is over! Hey Neighbour: Season 2 is officially on the way, and the festival has just dropped its first major headliner—Doja Cat! The global superstar will be lighting up the Legends Adventure Farm stage this August, bringing her electrifying energy, chart-topping hits, and genre-blending sound to one of South Africa’s biggest music events. Doja Cat Takes Over Hey Neighbour 2025 With a career defined by viral anthems and a bold artistic vision, Doja Cat has become a force in the music industry. From smash hits like "Say So," "Kiss Me More," "Paint the Town Red," and "Woman," to her unforgettable performances, she continues to push creative boundaries and command global attention. “We are beyond excited to welcome Doja Cat to the Hey N...
METRO FM Music Awards 2025 Nominations: See the Full List Here
Latest News, Music

METRO FM Music Awards 2025 Nominations: See the Full List Here

The South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) has officially announced the nominees for the highly anticipated METRO FM Music Awards 2025. Covering music singles and albums released between 28 February 2024 and 28 February 2025, this year’s nominations highlight South Africa’s most celebrated musical talents. With an impressive 2,769 entries across 19 categories—up from 1,700 last year—the competition is fiercer than ever. Amapiano remains at the forefront of the industry, with genre heavyweights Kabza De Small, DJ Maphorisa, and Scotts Maphuma leading the nominations with four each. Meanwhile, iNkabi Nation’s Sjava follows closely with three nominations, alongside hip-hop giants Kwesta and Cassper Nyovest. Theme: Crowning Greatness This year’s theme, "Crowning Greatn...
Kelvin Momo, Kabza De Small, and Oscar Mbo to Ignite Motherland Festival 2024
Culture, Music

Kelvin Momo, Kabza De Small, and Oscar Mbo to Ignite Motherland Festival 2024

Amapiano and house royalty Kelvin Momo, Kabza De Small, Oscar Mbo and Mawhoo, are set to bring the heat to this year’s Motherland Festival. Taking place on Saturday, 30 November 2024, at the breathtaking Cradle Boutique Hotel, this festival is a celebration of African rhythms, culture, and unity. The Line-Up of Dreams Kelvin Momo – Renowned for his "private school Amapiano" sounds. Kabza De Small – Internationally acclaimed Amapiano trailblazer. Oscar Mbo – House music maestro with deep, soulful beats. Mawhoo – Celebrated vocalist and crowd-favorite performer. Supporting acts include: KMAT – Rising Amapiano star. Black Motion B2B Soul Nativez – A powerhouse collaborative set. DJ Lag – Gqom pioneer known for electrifying performances. Sun-El Musician ...
Poppulse Exclusive: Yaba Buluku
Interviews, Latest News, Music

Poppulse Exclusive: Yaba Buluku

Formed in 2020, after the viral TikTok hit of their song Yaba Buluku, the Mozambican musical collective, Yaba Buluku Boys is one of the hottest music group on the continent. The group which consists of the dynamic trio of Dj Tarico, the producing brain of the group, Nelson Tivane, the skilled songwriter of the group and recording artist, Preck, who is a gifted connoisseur of Southern Africa's afro-dance genre and other popular indigenous sounds.  Following the success of their debut single, the group enlisted Grammy-award winning artist Burna Boy for the Yaba Buluku remix. Released in 2021, the remix has since become one of the year's biggest songs, accumulating more than six million streams worldwide and over one million Shazams. This breakthrough success saw the group nominated f...
Poppulse Exclusive: Roki
Features, Latest News, Music

Poppulse Exclusive: Roki

Over two decades into his career, Roki is not showing any signs of slowing down anytime soon. The Zimbabwean contemporary musician who has tapped into acting and was a contestant on Big Brother Africa 7 has made a name for himself as a gifted songwriter and exceptional performer. The urban grooves star has won many prestigious awards over the years including ‘Best Video of the Year’ and ‘Song of the Year’ for his undying 2007 hit Chidzoka. He holds the record as the fastest Zimbabwean musician to hit 1 million views on YouTube (he achieved this in a week) with his 2021 hit song Uchandifunga. Poppulse caught up with Roki to get to know a little more about him: What first got you into music? I first got into music because I came from a family where my uncle, my dad’s little...