Did You Know These Music Genres Were Invented in South Africa?
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Did You Know These Music Genres Were Invented in South Africa?
From kwela to kwaito, here are four music genres that were invented in South Africa.
Did You Know These Music Genres Were Invented in South Africa?
Image by Pexels
The CAT scan and Kreepy Krauly are two proudly South African inventions that are known about almost everywhere. Traditional food like bobotie and bunny chow are very much part of South Africa’s vibrant and sometimes spicy culture.
But what about the music genres that have come from South Africa’s rich diversity?
ALSO READ: 12 Incredible inventions to make you feel Proudly South African
From kwela to kwaito, here are 4 music genres that were invented in South Africa.
Boeremusiek (1650s)
According to Traditional Boeremusiek of South Africa, this type of “dancing-and-singing music” started in the mid-1600s, with the combination of Dutch settlers and traditional English music and instruments.
Boeremusiek (‘boer music’) an informal mixture of different instruments and styles, including the English concertina and the banjo. The music style was quickly adopted into traditional farming culture, becoming especially popular during the 1930s to 1940s during the Second World War.
Kwela (1950s)
According to SAHistory.org, kwela music is a form of South African music that evolved in the 1950s. Kwela evolved from previous forms of popular cultural music, including marabi. Most kwela music relies heavily on the pennywhistle, and eventually brought some of its influences to South African jazz.
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Kwaito (1990s)
Kwaito music evolved in the 1990s, originating in the area of Soweto, Johannesburg where the popular bass-driven music soon spread to other areas of the country. Kwaito music, from the slang for ‘angry’, was one way to discuss current social issues through music – and great beats.
Kwaito is considered a mixture of many musical styles, including kwela music and hip hop. The genre also took some inspiration from South African musicians like Brenda Fassie.
Gqom (2010s)
According to Wikitionary, gqom is a “minimalist style of house music”.
Gqom originated in the ranks, townships, and clubs of Durban. Its production style is minimalist, using only the most basic music production suites, and gqom music originally made its way around through informal distribution on CDs and memory sticks passed from one fan to the next.
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