Our Top 50 SA Projects From Jan - March 2025
Image Sourced From @moneybadooworld / Instagram
It looks like it’s that time of the year again! Within only a mere three months into 2025, the South African music environment has seen an array of brilliant releases from the most creative minds throughout the nation.
Ranging from Hip Hop to Pop, Soul to Jazz, and every other genre imaginable, music lovers in SA have been spoilt for choice. I always predicted 2025 to be a massive year for many artists, but the number of stunning projects that have been coming out of this nation has been crazy.
I thought it was the perfect time to bring back the VERVE rankings, rating my choices from not only the artistry of the project but basing my decisions on how the listening experience left an impression on me.
Remember, this is my personal experience…I listen to a ton of local music and in this list were the projects that stunned me within the first three months of 2025. Enjoy!
50. Devolutionary - POST_HuMan (25 January 2025)
This lyrical genius gifted us lovely tunes for Hip Hop lovers to indulge in. Everything about this project left me in awe, infusing scintillating instrumentals that had me feeling like I was in heaven.
49. The Playbook - 031CHOPPA x Djy Biza x Shakes & Les (28 March 2025)
The Yano scene just can’t seem to stop soaring. This project by the dynamic hitmakers brought Amapiano lovers a range of refreshing numbers that will surely have the clubs shaking soon. I’ve always felt CHOPPA has been an underrated mastermind, but I bet this album will surely raise his name to the highest level.
48. If Not Now, When? - Naranjo (14 March 2025)
Naranjo came out with a bang, dropping this enticing project. I loved everything about this latest body of art, gifting me with exciting rock elements and explosive performances from the talented vocalist that had my head rocking back and forth.
47. the fly-frog that is eating its own tale! - QEKO! (7 March 2025)
If you can tell me what exactly this whole listening experience was about, I promise I’ll buy you a beer because I had no idea what the hell I was listening to. All I know is that I loved everything about it! This project was a body of strange but intriguing instrumentals that had me invested in every detail that came my way. If you’re a fan of weird and eerie sounds in music, I highly recommend this listening experience.
46. For The Streets 2 - Vanger Boyz (7 February 2025)
It’s gents like the Vanger Boyz that continue to keep the Qgom scene so alive, bringing us heart-thumping projects like this. Every track on this album had me craving an underground rave scene, utilizing explosive beats and rhythms over the well-established tempo, continuing to elevate the Qgom genre.
45. REFLEKSHUNZ - In2une (7 February 2025)
This broer just doesn’t know when to take a break. Recently, every body of music that he’s dropped has never failed to disappoint me. This tape had In2une showcase his newest range of sounds, merging elements from the Soul and Hip-Hop genres to gift us with a listening experience of splendor.
44. 5TH FLOOR - Skyler YSL x Angelo Supastara (5 February 2025)
I loved how well these two artists merged their completely diverse sounds into one. I was recently introduced to the duo and I’m so grateful. This album had the two display spine-chilling Trap sounds while flaunting their lyrical abilities over intimidating instrumentals. VERVE will definitely be keeping a close eye on the two.
43. $econd Chance Extended Playlist - $TUKU x .kin (6 February 2025)
The second I pressed play on this project, I just knew I was in for a good listening experience. This body of art from the talented virtuosos from Jozi gave us an array of jovial sounds and upbeat instrumentals, guided by $TUKU’s mesmerizing vocal performance.
42. Bella - FeRn (1 January 2025)
I adored everything about this project, low-key giving off Cleo Sol vibes. This short but sweet Neo-Soul project brought out feelings of warmth, telling a story of voyaging through the emotions paired with being in love. A brilliant effort from the Capetonian songbird!
41. Renaissance Baby! - SHIMII
SHIMII did an incredible job at blending his distinct sounds with the different enchanting instrumentals. Tracks like “Missing!”, “Rainy Night!”, and “Pompeii!” were a bliss to listen to, utilizing soft Jazzy elements that warmed up my listening experience.
40. SGHUBU SO LOVA - Even (18 February 2025)
The Kwaito genre may be in safe hands with artists of this level taking over the mantle. Even did an exceptional job at capturing the heart of the genre, reminding Kwaito lovers why the sound is so respected within the nation. Tracks like “Kasi Anthem” and “Buya Lova” are great examples of how outstanding this tape was.
39. neophyte - tan sholto (21 March 2025)
This sweet but short project by the South African songbird was everything I wished for. This project was filled with wholesome ballads that showcased how talented of a vocalist tan really is. I’m so glad I came across this talented virtuoso.
38. SMR PCK (SIDE B) - DONTMAKESENZ (31 January 2025)
We featured this project earlier this year, having Sivu speak on his listening experience. After experiencing the tape for myself, I can confirm everything he said as true. I loved how adventurous this project was, exploring a range of soft and exciting instrumentals, and crafting a lovely environment for the gifted mind to flaunt his talents.
37. Duality Pt 2 Peace - DemiMa (14 February 2025)
Following the release of her stunning “Duality Pt 1 Chaos” album, the exceptional musician, from London and KZN, dropped the second part of her concept. This opposite approach to chaos had her explore a more soothing sound, having elements from the natural world play a major role in her instrumentals. I loved how peaceful and uplifting this project was. What a beautiful attempt from the Alt-Soul performer.
36. WHITE (ALBUM) - FAXXON (28 February 2025)
The Capetonian Rock band continued to impress, dropping this album that really had the group show off what they’re capable of crafting. I loved how powerful Jack Stone’s performance was on each and every track, backed by the incredible performances from his crew, gifting Rock fans a bundle of thrilling tunes to enjoy.
35. CRUX - Slezzy K (21 March 2025)
This project from the Jozi-based hit-maker had him elevate his status within the Hip-Hop realm. “CRUX” saw the young star team up with his crew to bless Hip Hop lovers with a blend of Hip-Hop jams that incorporated multiple elements from the Trap and AfroPop genres, showcasing how explorative of an artist he truly is.
34. seash sounds - seash (28 February 2025)
I was fortunate enough to have someone recommend this project to me. I instantly adored the intro track “Nostagia” and I knew we had a gem on our hands. Although seash’s sound may come off as dreary and heavy, there’s a special thing that always kept me captivated. If it wasn’t the bleak but relatable stories she’d sing about, it was her exceptional vocal performance that made this project a lovely experience. I especially enjoyed the track “Billie” and I highly recommend you peep the project for yourself.
33. Scatterling Empire - Acid Magus (21 February 2025)
Dropping their third album, Acid Magus wasted no time reminding us why their sound is one of immortality. Everything about this Heavy Metal project was loud and filled with rage, a sound that many in the Cape are drawn towards and I can understand exactly why through listening to this project. This album is definitely not for the faint-hearted.
32. BDAY TAPE - 3-Six (25 January 2025)
Celebrating his birthday, 3-six blessed music lovers with a tape filled with soothing mashups, gifting us a range of bouncy numbers to enjoy for any sort of occasion. From top to bottom, I enjoyed everything about this tape, especially the track “ME&U” which blended a vibrant beat with the classic track by the legendary Cassie that had me grooving throughout the recent sunny evenings in Cape Town.
31. Baby Elephant 2 - Lelam (14 February 2025)
This project is one I constantly find myself coming back to and it’s easy to understand why. Lelam went all out with this release, with each and every House track bringing something new to the table, gifting listeners a catalogue of stimulating Dance numbers like the tracks “Time to Cook” and “Shake The Town”. The sky is the limit for this talented hitmaker.
30. chamomile - earlswavy (5 March 2025)
“chamomile” had the wonderfully minded producer craft sublime alternative beats that had me feeling enamored from the second I started listening to it. The assistance from the cameo appearances was a chef’s kiss, having the likes of Roho, LLELLO, and NOKÓ grace the instrumentals with their astonishing vocal abilities.
29. SIPHELELE: BOOK II - PDOT O (21 February 2025)
After impressing me with the first Book that released last year, this was a project I heavily anticipated and I was not left disappointed. PDOT continued to prove why he’s considered a brilliant lyricist within the Rap game and this project showcased just that!
28. This Is The Medicine - Thabo And The Crows (28 February 2025)
This project had the four-piece Capetonian band showcase different narratives over enchanting instrumentals, pushing the Indie Rock genre to a higher level, displaying moments of raw emotions over impeccable performances and captivating sounds. Thabo displayed moments of deep emotions while also having the gifted musician flaunt his unique talent of being multilingual and expressing his knowledge of different languages through his music. There aren’t many in the scene able to accomplish that.
27. Before The Dawn - D.General x V.Underground (21 March 2025)
Listening to House projects of this sort never fails to make me feel a sense of happiness. The track “Praise Him” was one I couldn’t stop enjoying, with the duo reminding me why I fell in love with the original House sound I grew up listening to.
26. Island 22 - Gemma Fassie (28 March 2025)
Gemma’s ascension within the SA music world is one I’ve continuously kept an eye on. I’ve been a fan of hers for a while now and for a long time I was anticipating a body of art from her. “Island 22” did not let me down, having the songbird flaunt her marvellous vocal talents over a range of exciting sounds that proved why she’s to be taken seriously within the music scene.
25. F.I.F.A (FUCK I FEEL ALONE) - Vriety (1 March 2025)
This year had the perfect start for me as I was introduced to a whole range of refreshing sounds from Jozi. Vriety really impressed me with this soulful attempt, having melodies constantly guided by lovely guitar notes that had my head up in the clouds. A sound I hadn’t been seeing too much of in SA but am glad it’s now becoming a thing.
24. Malus - Nastiriff (28 March 2025)
What an exhilarating listening experience this was from the Capetonian Punk-Rock band. I loved how each and every track had me on my feet with the high energy levels coming off the electrifying instrumental performances, especially on the tracks “Suck It” and “Bang”.
23. Himmy The Lawd - Zingah (28 February 2025)
The well-respected Hip-Hop star has been dropping bangers for years now, and this new release proved how far of a craftsman he’s become. I loved how vibrant this five-track EP was, having the lyricist have a blast over intoxicating Trap beats alongside new wave rappers like Mochen, Lowfeye, and the dominant 25K.
22. I really need the attention today - Big Body Bones (18 March 2025)
Bones truly lost the plot with this one, using his phenomenal lyrical gifts as a channel to display his rage over intense Boom Bap beats. The track “DIE ON THAT HILL” (alongside Orakil) was the one that had my jaw dropping to the floor with how outstanding his performance was. I cannot wait to see how he plans to top such an effort in the near future.
21. album. - 500. (22 January 2025)
This collection of Soulful Jazzy numbers had the VERVE team in awe, simply from how smooth the numbers were produced from the talented composer. One listen through this project had me feeling elated by how all the instrumentals came together to grant me a delightful listening adventure.
20. Girls I like: Lost Tapes - Solo Sae (14 February 2025)
I really enjoyed Solo’s earlier album release, “Amelia”, but my apologies, this Trap-R&B project stole my heart. Honestly, I’m a massive Bryson Tiller fan, and hearing this stunner of an EP had me feeling all kinds of ways, having Solo expand on his melodic singing abilities over dark and twisted Trap beats that were perfect for those long night drives. If you don’t know what I mean, check out the track “Low Profile” and you’ll surely get the picture.
19. CAN’T CHANGE - Jarry Pitboi (7 February 2024)
Jarry really shifted gears with this release, tapping into even more dark and twisted sounds that paired well with his somber preachings. Tracks like “Ny Can’t Change 4 Nobody” were a breath of fresh air, utilizing eerie instrumentals over heavy 808s while the rest of the EP constantly flipped the script with every track having its own unique sound that always had me on edge.
18. The Plunge - James Deacon (14 March 2025)
James Deacon never fails to impress, always bringing his raw energy to every track he touches. This EP was filled with that, having an array of funky numbers that always brought the vibe with the crazy instrumentals and his charming performances that had me craving more by the time the tape concluded.
17. Hugo: The Etheromaniac - Earldridge x Iam6teen (28 February 2025)
What these two geniuses were able to craft with this project is truly unexplainable. Everything about this EP was a bliss to experience, having Earldridges astounding performances over 6teen’s heavenly instrumentals that had me feeling like I was transported to a different dimension with the captivating noises I was hearing. The duo definitely outdid themselves and they should be proud of their efforts with this one.
16. LOTUK VOL. 2:NO RISK, NO ROSES - Sipho The Gift (7 February 2025)
Sipho just can’t stop releasing absolute bangers. The brilliant poet from Stellenbosch kicked off his year with this gem of a project, having this release explore a highly energetic first half, with tracks like “GHOST” and “NO PROBLEM” (alongside Hanna) shaking the room before slowing the vibes down with deeper toned tracks like “BEEN GOOD TO ME” and “DENOUEMENT” that really had me as the listener carefully listening to his stories while appreciating his pen game. A fantastic attempt from the extraordinary musician.
15. Asante III - MÖRDA (28 March 2025)
MÖRDA’s consistency needs to be studied. I feel like every time he drops, it’s always a classic and I have a good feeling that many AfroHouse enjoyers will agree with me. Keeping faithful to his established sound, MÖRDA used this project to have listeners enjoy bundles of soft melodic Dance tracks that are simply perfect for those Summer afternoons.
14. Journal Entries 2 - Lungelo Manzi (28 February 2025)
Lungelo really impressed me with his latest offering. This EP touched my heart with how soulful and affectionate everything sounded, having Lungelo’s smooth vocal performances over mesmerizing Soul instrumentals. Tracks like “Tanaka” and “Ekhaya” were the tunes that really had me feeling exuberant after my first listen throughout the stunning project.
13. Lord Faku - The Life Of A Dyan - Yanga Chief (21 February 2025)
I still hold Yanga Chief as the top Xhosa artist this decade has seen. The talented mind has never failed at producing the most stunning offerings, and this project did just that, having the virtuoso flaunt his abilities over a range of stunning beats while narrating the honest stories of his everyday life. It’s no surprise the track “What If? (Mngani)” was a major success in the SA music scene.
12. Bear With Me - Grixxly (14 March 2025)
I can’t lie, this was my first time encountering Grixxly, and I was immediately stunned by how spectacular this project was from the Eswatini musician. I loved how incredible his storytelling abilities were over the charming Hip-Hop instrumentals that I’m obviously a sucker for. I look forward to the ascension of this young poet in the music world.
11. CROSSROADS - Trophy (28 February 2025)
I guess the main reason why I appreciated this tape so much was the overall tone. Trophy did a fantastic job at crafting the most beautiful rap melodies over gloomy instrumentals, carrying this heartbreak theme throughout the project, and his performance on the tape was phenomenal, especially on the track “we were.” alongside Kaizer Beats.
10. MSRYLUV$CMPNY - Money Badoo (7 March 2025)
The evolution of Money Badoo’s sound has been amazing to witness over the years. This album from the Jozi-based musician had her tackle dystopian beats and instrumentals that constantly had my head banging. Another element of the project that kept me entertained was the multiple cameo appearances from the likes of KashCpt, The Big Hash, Nannette, and so many more established names, and they all put in a fantastic effort at making this album such an enjoyable listening experience.
9. Lullaby For Khayoyo - McCoy Mrubata (31 January 2025)
The legendary SAMA award-winning saxophonist produced this lovely, constructed Jazz album, swaying my mood with the heavenly sounds I was hearing. Just taking a walk through my nearest park while listening to this album had me truly understanding why these legends are still so important for their contributions towards the modern SA Jazz scene and it’s a blessing to still have these legends release new pieces of fine art.
8. You, Me & The 90’s - Lordkez (28 March 2025)
Going back to the roots of R&B, Lordkez gifted fans of the genre with a variety of passionate ballads that had me falling in love with her sound all over again. It’s no surprise she’s an award-winning artist and the tracks “Boogie (Get Down)” and “Aweh” are true examples of why that’s the case.
7. Bite The Bullet - K.Keed (28 February 2025)
After so many years of watching Keed’s growth and elevation as an artist within the Hip-Hop scene, the exceptional virtuoso finally reached the milestone of dropping her debut studio album and boy did she not miss. I loved how she used this opportunity to showcase her versatility on the different tracks, even flaunting her singing abilities on multiple tracks. It was a really proud moment to see how far she’s come, and I can’t wait to see the heights she’s destined to reach.
6. Enhlizweni - song stories from my heartland - Steve Dyer (31 January 2025)
Another Jazz legend on this list, the highly respected saxophonist came together with an array of legendary composers to gift Jazz listeners a lovely bundle of numbers to lose themselves in. A legendary effort from the legendary performer from Pietermaritzburg.
5. Because I Said So - Ginger Trill (7 March 2025)
After a ton of anticipation and hype from the whole nation, Trill finally released his body of art, and I can confirm it was one of high standards. From the beat selections to his lyrical performance on each track, everything about this album had me completely understand why there was so much excitement behind his name and I can safely say I’m now a major fan of his discography.
4. Purity. - ZRi (24 January 2025)
ZRi did it once again, dropping yet another project that kept reminding me why I fell in love with his distinct sound that nobody else could take away from him. This release had the virtuoso continue dominating his tracks with his somber yet captivating approach that always had me entertained, especially with the intriguing instrumentals that backed his vocal performances.
3. Handsome Luke & The Heartbreakers - Mars Baby (7 February)
After just one listen through this project, I felt like this was my favourite version of Mars Baby. Everything about his performance was bubbly even though you could tell the stories he was narrating through his performance were those of dark tones. I especially loved the tracks “Forgiving You" and “So American” which kept a jovial spirit over the sad messaging behind the track. A strange contrast, but one I really enjoyed.
2. The Seed - Rorisang Sechele (7 February 2025)
Finally releasing her debut EP, Rorisang’s “The Seed” is a body of art filled with brilliance. The vocalist’s approach to the Soul genre displayed how mature of a sound she has developed, inviting listeners on her journey of self-discovery and how she’s had to grow from her roots. Everything about this project was flawless to listen to, from the Jazz instrumentals to her pitch-perfect vocal performance. This seven-track EP easily swept me away and I’m sure it did so for many out there.
1. OFFCUTS: The Mixtape - Yung Tyran (24 February 2025)
I instantly get goosebumps every time I press play on “ICEMAN”, the intro for this excellent project from the Jozi-based musician. It was pretty obvious how personal of a project this was for Tyran, as he found comfort in unveiling his truest thoughts and emotions through his impeccable lyrical talents while being assisted by the wonderfully crafted beats and instrumentals that made this project such a joy to listen.
And there you have it! Obviously, this was a list based on my own experiences and enjoyment. These are the projects from 2025 that I keep going back to.
And there’s been plenty more I’ve had the blessing of experiencing. However, if I have missed any, let us know. At the end of the day, that’s what VERVE is there for, and finding new music is what I love doing the most.
If you have yet to check out the work from the artists I’ve listed, please do check out their work. These guys have been doing the most and it’s up to us to actually check and appreciate the art they’ve been crafting. Most of their work is available on streaming platforms, so please check them out.
I cannot wait for what the next three months has in store for the South African music environment and I’m pretty certain we’re going to get even more amazing music, so stay tapped in with VERVE to see what else or who else we can uncover.
