Since kwaito was already developed in South Africa before or possibly during the emergence of afro house.[4] It appears the name made immediate differentiation usage of the
prefix 'afro', which in context by definition literally means anything relating to Africa and
African culture[9] as well as, the seemingly obvious
suffix, 'house', in direct relation to
house music.
South African record label, Afrotainment (Ezase Afro)[12] housed one of the first notable female Afro house artists, namely, DJ Cndo[8] in the early 2000s.[13][14] Her debut album released in 2007, Finest Lady of House Vol.1 obtained
gold record status, which would likely have been considered a momentous achievement, during the
CD records, era.[15][16]
Vocalist,
Bucie is regarded as "the female voice of South African
house music",[17][18] presumably Afro house especially in reference to one of her Afro house hit singles "Superman"[19][20] which was produced by
Black Coffee in 2009 and was later
sampled by
Drake in 2017 for his
More Life album featuring
Jorja Smith.[21] British "
Kiss From A Rose", songster
Seal claimed that he liked her music and mentioned that Bucie is "a great singer and artist".[19]
In 2012,
DJ Zinhle "My Name Is" featuring
Busiswa hitmaker,[22] co-founded Fuse Academy. A DJ academy specifically for female,DJs.[23]
In 2016, songstress
Alicia Keys enlisted Black Coffee for one of her "
In Common" official remixes,[24] which was recognized and received well, internationally.[25] Zimbabwean, Songwriter and singer,
Jackie Queens launched her record label Bae Electronica which solely showcases women
house artists, such as Thandi Draai[26] who according to
Mixmag has been "heralded as SA house music's femmetastic triple-threat".[15][27][28]
History
Ostensibly before it was 'officially' named and categorized as a sub-genre, it was just referred to as simply, "house".[29][4]
The genre appeared to have been, in some cases unintentionally labeled and mistaken as
UK funky or
afrobeats, ostensibly due to unawareness and ignorance.[30]
The genre is thought to have possibly been, in effect created in the late 1980s due to the hitherto heavy, presence of kwaito,
mbaqanga and
house both locally as well as internationally.[41][4] This time period was unfortunately during the
apartheid regime whereas information would evidently have not been easy to record nor share.[42] Kwaito-associated acts such as
Brenda Fassie and
Sipho Mabuse were high-charting artists on global charts such as on
KISS-FM and
Capitol Radio during the 1980s and 1990s.This would outwardly be the world's first introduction to "South African house music".[43] Artists such as Vinny Da Vinci,DJ Christos and
Revolution twins[44] were hosting parties and DJing in various locations.[4]
I was working in townships before [Apartheid ended], and I'd get a lot of shit if I was caught. I mean, even name-wise I was never Christos. I changed my name like five times to avoid the cops.
— DJ Christos, DJ Mag
1990s
During this period the genre's universality in various locations such as the United States was set in stone. American artists such as
Grammy-award-winning,
Louie Vega had been regularly frequenting South Africa during this time.[3] There is also evidence of the genre having being popularized in
Angola due to the local dance culture. This is partially attributed to the musical genre
kuduro.[45][46]
In 1994, the South African record label House Afrika was established. The label was founded by Vinny Da Vinci (Vincent Motshegoa),[47] Tim White and DJ Strat3gy(Glen van Loggerenberg). The label's debut album release was titled Fresh House Flava Vol.1 by
DJ Fresh.[citation needed]
Some had friends at airlines and would ask them to bring tracks back in their luggage. Others would pay people to be couriers and get tunes into the country. Whether you call this bootlegging, or contraband, you made the most of any way you could get at the music.
— Vinny Da Vinci, DJ Mag
2000s
In 2001, House Afrika released "Oskido's Church Grooves".[48]
In 2003,
Malaika's "Destiny" topped, charts.[49] The South African trio toured Australia alongside Zimbabwean, singer Tarisai Vushe who made it to the Top.5 of
Australia Idol, 2007 as their supporting act.[50]
In 2005, South African
Grammy-award-winning artist,
Black Coffee released his debut self-titled album Black Coffee.The album appeared to be the first afro house album to win the
South African Music Awards, Best Dance Album, category and featured other distinguished South African artists such as
Hugh Masekela and
Thandiswa Mazwai.[51][33]
The genre had subsequently become popularized in even more parts of the world including South America, Europe, and Asia.[6][52] In, London although already conceivably, presumbably present since the 1980s, its emergence appeared to have become solidified during this period as well as to a greater extent accredited to "giving rise to" the,
UK funky, scene.[53]
According to an interview American DJ,
Osunlade had visited South Africa, for the first time in 2005.[54]
DJ Cleo, released his first hit-single,"Goodbye".[32]
Culoe De Song, released his debut album "A Giant Leap". It won Best New Artist at the
South African Music Awards. The album was inclusive of one of his most popular releases "Webaba".[56]
Between the 2000s and 2010s the genre appeared to have been most prominent in its native region, South Africa as well as the UK.[53]
2010s
Between the early 2010s and 2020s there was a surge in the number of Afro house releases and popularity.[57][58][59] During these decades the genre's maturation had accelerated.[1][60]
In 2012, afro house duo Vetkuk vs.
Mahoota released the song "Via Orlando" featuring Dr. Malinga,[62] the song was a rendition of Monwa & Sun's 1988 released "Orlando Hangover"[63],the song's release in all probability, inspired other South African afro-house hit-singles thereafter most notably, in 2013
kwela and afro house duo
Mafikizolo featuring
Uhuru's "Khona".[31]
In 2014, Mafikizolo won eight awards at the
South African Music Awards.[64]Mi Casa won the Best Dance Album, DJ Kent[65] ft. The Arrows, The Highest Airplay of the Year, for "Spin My World Around" and Oskido, Remix of the Year, for "Tsa Ma Ndebele".[64]
Portuguese artists such as DJEFF (formerly known as Djeff Afrozila[66]) accelerated the genre's popularity by performing a live mix from the
DJ Mag, headquarters in
Hoxton.[67]
In 2015, during a visit to South Africa, Osunlade had created and publicly published a social media post inclusive of a negative rant regarding racism towards South Africans. Many South Africans as well as fellow Afro house artists, did not take well to it.[68]
In 2016, Gondwana KE[75] was founded in
Kenya by Eugene Onyago and Suraj Mandavia, the event and label predominantly showcases South African Afro house artists such as Karyendasoul, Citizen Deep, Punk Mbedzi, Frigid Armadillo[1] and
Sun El Musician.[76] As well as Kenyan, afro-house,artists such as Ayrosh.[76]
The "Koze Kuse" hit-maker, DJ Merlon released the album "Original Copy".[77]
Angolan, producer Afro Warriors released "Uyankenteza" featuring vocalist, Toshi. The song was remixed by Hyenah.[78]
In 2017,
Beatport updated its platform with an additional Afro house category.[79]
In 2019, four South African Afro house DJs were nominated at the
DJ Awards for the "afro house", genre.[81]Da Capo won the first-ever, Afro House category, award.[82][40]
A video of the
Hilton Collegemarimba band, in
KwaZulu-Natal performing the Black Coffee and French, multi- number 1 DJ, in the world,
David Guetta,[85] song "Drive" featuring songstress, Delilah Montagu went, viral.[86]
Prince Kaybee and
Msaki's,"Fetch Your Life"[87] won The House Record of the Year at the African Dance Music Awards.[88]
2020s
In 2020, Darque and Shimza[89] established, the afro-house, label Kunye as well as event U'R.[90]
In 2021, the British house music record label,
Defected Records launched an afro house label, Sondela, the first released song "Ezizweni" was by South Africans
DJ Tira, Hyenah and
jazz singer, Luke Ntombela.[37]
Afro-house, DJ and producer FKA Mash paid homage to
kwaito,
mbaqanga,
marabi and
kwela in his "Love Songs From Soweto", album.[95]
South African poetic afro-house, vocalist, DJ and producer Lazarusman as well as German, duo
Booka Shade were nominated at the
Grammies for the album, "Dear Future Self".[96]
Francis Mercier, a DJ and producer based in New York, released his remake of the influential composition "
Premier Gaou" by the globally acclaimed
Ivorian music group,
Magic System. The original version was one of Africa's biggest records, achieving widespread recognition on a global scale in the late 1990s. Mercier revitalized the song by sharing his afro-house rendition in collaboration with,
Spinnin' Records.[98]
In 2023,
Black Coffee was the first African DJ and record producer, to fill up
Madison Square Garden in New York City.[102] Supporting acts were inclusive of musicians such as songstress
Bucie, Monique Bingham,[103] afro-house songster, Shoba (formerly Shota),[104] South African vocalist Portia Monique, singer and songwriter
Msaki and a 12 piece-orchestra.[105]
German music collective,
Keinemusik was listed as number 1, in the top-selling afro house charts on Beatport.[106] Mo Black Records founded by Italian Mimmo Falcone(MoBlack) in 2013,[107] was listed as the number 1, best selling record label on Beatport.[106]
^"Afro definition". Collins Dictionary.
Archived from the original on 8 June 2012. Retrieved 17 December 2023.
^
abSampleSound, Team (1 December 2020).
"How To Make Afro House Music". SAMPLESOUND.
Archived from the original on 16 January 2021. Retrieved 15 November 2023.
^Shorlidge, Chandler (4 November 2021).
"What's Next For Afro House?". Beatportal.
Archived from the original on 5 November 2021. Retrieved 15 November 2023.