Welcome to Continental Drift! This week, we're continuing with the theme of Black History Month and drifting over to South Africa! You can find the playlist here and listen back to the episode here!

The Republic of South Africa is the southernmost country in Africa and its coastline spans the Indian and South Atlantic Oceans. It’s bordered by the countries of Namibia, Botswana, and Zimbabwe to the north; and to the northeast by Mozambique and Eswatini. It also entirely encloses the country of Lesotho. South Africa has 3 capitals: Cape Town (its legislative capital), Pretoria (its administrative capital), and Bloemfontein (its judicial capital). With a population of over 62 million people, it ranks as the 23rd most populous country in the world.

Outside of the world of humans, South Africa is known for its biodiversity and although it takes up only 2% of the world’s land surface area, it boasts 7% of its reptile, bird and mammal species, and 10% of the world’s plant species, and much more, making it the 3rd most biodiverse country globally. So, let's back away from biology and head straight to what everyone’s tuned in for…music.

Our first segment of music is dedicated to marabi. After gold and other minerals were uncovered in South Africa in the early 20th century, many people left their villages and moved to cities to find good paying jobs in mines. However, slums developed as a result of black people not being allowed to own property in the cities (Natives Land Act of 1913). These slums had exciting nightlife with shebeens (kind of like an illegal bar) providing musical entertainment. At this time the marabi style developed, which blends American jazz, ragtime, and traditional African music. Its popularity grew and it still continues to be influential in South African music today.

Marabi

Casanova Jump // Basement Boys

Lalelani // The Skylarks

Yaku Yaku // The Manhattan Brothers

The Movers were a South African band from the 1970s that created music mixing jive, jazz, and disco. With their American sound, rolling organs, and funk, they rose in popularity and gained a following in their country’s racially-segregated music scene. They sound like a cross between the Monkees and the Doors with a hint of Player. Something that any American audience in the late ‘60s and ‘70s would love. So up next, we have a few tunes by The Movers.

The Movers

Tau Special // The Movers

Give Five or More // The Movers

Soweto Disco // The Movers

In the ‘90s a form of house music that blended African sounds, samples, fast beats, and electronic sounds developed. It’s called Kwaito, which comes from the Afrikaans word “kwaai” which means “angry,” while at the same time, being sslang for “great.”

Up next, we have “Bengim’ngaka” by the kwaito group, Trompies. After, is Thobela by Boom Shaka, which might be the greatest band name of all time, right after “Psychadelic Porn Crumpets”. We have some sick songs heading your way, which may make you feel like you’re shopping at the Gap with your mom, but in the grooviest, coolest way possible. Without further ado, here’s our kwaito segment.

Kwaito

Bengmin’ngaka // Trompies

Thobela // Boom Shaka

Palafala (feat. S’bu) // TKZee, S’bu

In the 60s, the genre called mbaqanga hit the scene, a descendant of the older genre known as kwela. Kwela is characterized by its use of the pennywhistle, which, for the uninitiated, is basically like a metal recorder. Never underestimate the power of the recorder, because the pennywhistle, though almost identical and just as ridiculous-sounding, actually can make some pretty groovin’ bops. What we’re about to play for you is a kwela song, then, to showcase what kwela inspired, for your listening pleasure, we have mbaqanga.

Kwela & Mbaqanga

Jika Spokes // Spokes Mashiyane

Usale Kanjani // Thokozani Langa

Songs To Play At The End Because We Can

Malaika // Miriam Makeba

• This is Carolyne's bonus track; it's a cover of a Swahili song from Tanzania that eventually would be covered by Boney M

Afro Beat Blues // Ojah, Hugh Masekela

• Kirby's bonus track; they've had this song on their radar for almost 3 months

Hi, Kirby here! You've gotten to the end of this post which means you've not heard about the vuvuzela!

WELL

The vuvuzela is a brass instrument, it's basically a plastic trumpet that only plays one note. Rather silly, but also controversial, because the output of a vuvuzela can be around 120 dB at a meter away from the opening (which, for those of you keeping score at home, is loud enough to physically hurt). And at football/soccer games in South Africa, fans will carry their vuvuzelas into the stands and blast them during the game, which naturally comes with the occasional permanent hearing loss and banning of vuvuzelas from venues. When this episode aired, I had a joke about the notes you can play with a vuvuzela, but the punchline fell flat 😭.

“Song” To Play At The End Because Kirby Thinks They’re Funny

Vuvuzela // 2010 FIFA World Cup

That's the episode, thanks for listening/reading!