The VERVE Top 100 Projects Of 2025
It is finally here, and it is finally free! The official VERVE Top 100 list has finally landed. I can’t lie, 2025 was quite the memorable year for the underground music environment. Too much was happening all year round, with an abundance of musical geniuses dropping the most innovative works for music lovers to relish.
We had fresh new sounds from all different kinds of genres, while others put a twist of their own to the many sounds we were familiar with, fully showcasing their gifts in music creation. What I loved the most about 2025 was the loaded roster of brand-new artists that caught my ear and had me peeping their work, never failing to disappoint me.
It’s why I was so excited to get our yearly list done, unveiling what I deemed to be our favourite projects of 2025. The list below is projects that were released throughout the year with four or more tracks on them (we’re talking EPs, LPs, Mixtapes, Albums, and whatever else).
100. SHAWTY MUSIK & DEMONS II - BoMalone (19 September 2025)
BoMalone had a seriously crazy year, dropping a total of six projects throughout 2025 (which is beyond abnormal!). When it comes to consistency in music making, the talented Hip Hop artist from Cape Town definitely has that gift. However, out of all of his releases, it had to be this one that kept me going back to it, impressing me with how enchanting his performances were over gripping instrumentals.
99. Umoya Wasekhaya - Kamve (30 August 2025)
The ability to mesmerize listeners with just the strings of a guitar is a wonder to me and a sound I always fall in love with. Kamve used this project to take listeners on a journey, showcasing sounds that brought about images of his childhood, his easier experiences being back home, and him simply being in his happy place, making me enjoy how gentle and alluring this project sounded.
98. album. - 500. (22 January 2025)
To this day, I still don’t know how we came about this phenomenal musician. 500. has this gift of producing the most sterling tunes, swaying listeners with groovy piano notes and peachy drum kicks while also sprinkling his vocal performances over his smooth beats from time to time. We really are fortunate enough to have come across this wonderful music maker.
97. ALL GOLD:THE MIXTAPE - Oro WaAfrika (28 November 2025)
There’s a serious wave of new Hip Hop talents arising in Mzansi, and Oro WaAfrika is one producer I’ve been keeping a close eye on. I was especially excited when this project was released, and I was blown away by how Oro laid out his exceptional beats that cared more about the samples over the typical 808s and bass, having me fully invested in the lyrical preachings from multiple Hip Hop poets that had my jaw constantly dropping to the floor.
96. IWASALLBYMYSELF. - Bipolarr (28 November 2025)
Continuing to make a name for himself in the underground Trap scene, Bipolarr’s newest release was his way of officially affirming his position in the game. I enjoyed how explosive and loud everything sounded on this release, proving to many how capable of an artist he is at dominating a sound not many artists could even dream of challenging.
95. Diary Of A Story-Teller - Leo Brenin (31 July 2025)
There’s just something so special about Leo Brenin. A sound that resembles that of Bryson Tiller (In my opinion), Brenin’s ability to hypnotize listeners with his alluring vocal performances is an absolute bliss to experience. Tracks like “Nothing Less” and “Out Of Sight” were absolute joys to listen to, and this whole project was a brilliant effort from the gifted songbird.
94. LIP’S - Ékedefine (19 September 2025)
Swooning listeners' ears with her exotic performance on this four-track project, Ékedefine really pulled off a wonder with this outstanding release. Every track impressed me with how elegant and alluring everything sounded, introducing a unique blend of Afro and Latin influences, crafting a sound that had me grooving throughout my whole listening experience. Vamos Ékedefine!
93. DAYS GONE BY - Sani Lockeheart (10 October 2025)
One thing I absolutely appreciate about an artist is their ability to add variety to their sound, constantly offering a new way to impress listeners. This project by Sani did exactly that, having the star expand his horizons, dominating a TrapSoul tune to suddenly stunning me with an Amapiano offering. It’s why I loved this offering, and I can’t wait to see Sani’s trajectory in the world music scene.
92. CAN’T CHANGE - JARRY PITBOI (7 February 2025)
Being his first offering of the year, this project truly captured how intense PITBOI’s performances could sound over a range of gloomy Trap instrumentals. His poetry matched with the heavy 808’s and Bass was amazing to experience, crafting a menacing but absorbing atmosphere that had my head bumping constantly throughout this listening experience.
91. Speaking Of The Devil (Demos) - Big Body Bones (24 June 2025)
Rawness and authenticity were everything I received from this extraordinary project. Bones wasted no time showcasing how remarkable a lyricist he is, using this tape to unveil his inner thoughts about his everyday experiences via his impactful rapping abilities that brought about chills throughout my spine. Big Body Bones may be my most underrated rapper currently in the scene, and it’s time more people peeped his amazing discography.
90. ‘99 Dreamcast - Thusang (22 August 2025)
Applauses for Thusang! Honestly, this twelve-track project was such a refreshing listening experience. I was amazed by how the exceptional musician invited listeners into a world of Funk and Bounce, surrounding his unique performances with vibrant instrumentals that had me feeling like I was teleported back to the 60’s Funk era, while also sprinkling his gripping rapping abilities that constantly blew me away.
89. Kai Scott - Kai Scott (1 June 2025)
Our very own Bob Dylan, Kai’s latest offering was a bliss to experience, having the young melodic talent move listeners with his satisfying vocal performance paired with his captivating guitar notes that told lullabying stories of his thoughts and experiences in such a unique way.
88. Lzy Tapes, Vol. 2 - MvRk (17 May 2025)
Beats, beats, and more beats is all I can ever ask for! This tape had the brilliantly minded producer introduce listeners to a world of wonder. I loved every bit of this tape, having the beatmaker incorporate samples from all kinds of classical genres into a modern sound that had me constantly grooving from top to bottom of this fascinating release.
87. Big Purrr - Gaffi (21 November 2025)
What an absolute unit of an artist Gaffi is. Every time I listen to the Capetonian rapper, presence is everything, never failing to make a statement in every track he touches. This project had the vibrant Xhosa lyricist dominate every beat with his eccentric performances that had my speakers struggling to keep up with the amount of bass they had to handle.
86. FORGIVE US OUR FIX - Kijana Damu (29 August 2025)
A way of poetry is the way to our soul, and Kijana Damu captured exactly that. This project had the lyricist portray a world of his thoughts and experiences using just his intrinsic wordplay that brought an abundance of emotions and reflections that had me thinking about a lot on my mind. Honestly, that takes a lot from a project to make me feel that way, and I was so satisfied at finding a listening experience that pulled all of that out of me.
85. Premium Edition: Between Life & Death. VOL 1 - Witne$$ (31 0ctober 2025)
An absolute gem of a storyteller, Witne$$ was incredible on this eye-opening Hip Hop project. This offering had the lyricist preach his tale, detailing his constant frustrations with modern society and the issues that come with it in such a descriptive yet honest manner. Witne$$ is one of those artists who isn’t afraid to unveil the harshest realities of life, and I’m all for it. The truth needs to be told!
84. F.I.F.A (FUCK I FEEL ALONE)(DELUXE VERSION) - Vriety (3 March 2025)
Vriety had listeners tag along on his journey of the ups and downs he’s had to go through throughout his life experiences. I loved how bright this project could sound in the beginning, to sudden somber vibes that really had you understand the environment through just the use of his guitar and his mellow vocals.
83. 4 Peace Sake: II - Falco Holmz (1 May 2025)
Grabbing listeners by the collar and dragging them through this wonderful listening experience was fantastic to see from Falco. I enjoyed how personal an EP this was, having his graceful singing performances hover over serene instrumentals. The track “Find My Way” was one I always found myself returning to, as it perfectly captured the vibe of his elegant and unique sound.
82. theproject - artillery (3 October 2025)
There’s just something so special about the Underground Hip Hop genre that I constantly appreciate, and that’s their ability to flip some of the most iconic sounds we’re familiar with into a sound of their own. We’ve seen Brotherkupa and Killbrady do it, and now we have artillery expanding his own sound into the genre. I loved how entrancing this project was, experiencing lovely melodies mixed with galvanic beats. The production on this tape was outstanding, especially the track “block freestyle” that switched up the iconic Migos track, “T-Shirt,” into a track of his own, which was undeniably special.
81. Teeth - Jaxobz (22 August 2025)
I can’t lie…I don’t even know how to fully describe my listening experience of this project. All I know is that at the end of the day, I liked what I was hearing. A sound that had Jaxobz’s distorted vocal performance glide over electrifying Pop instrumentals was a vibe to experience, and I enjoyed how upbeat and exhilarating this offering was from the exciting virtuoso.
80. IN TORO - LLELLO (5 May 2025)
This release was different from the many others that came out in 2025. LLELLO’s choice of flaunting her seductive vocal performances over an array of dark and gloomy instrumentals was a sound so new to me…However, I loved every bit of it as it perfectly matched her energy, especially on the tracks “SADGAME” (featuring witney) and "CALIBRE” (alongside akirainfinte).
79. Illusive Fantasy - Kamve x Pijjin (4 July 2025)
A collaborative effort I didn’t think I needed, this dynamic duo did a wonderful job at merging their talents into one. I honestly didn’t think Kamve’s talents on his guitar would work so effortlessly alongside Pijjin’s vocal performances, and it was so cool for me to experience how perfectly they combined their talents on this beautiful project.
78. Light - Tyler Page (4 April 2025)
The ability to craft such an enchanting listening experience for one who isn’t familiar with the Pop genre must be hard to achieve. However, this Capetonian Pop princess wooed me away with how scintillating and entertaining this six-track project sounded, constantly keeping me on my toes with how cool her futuristic approach sounded, especially with her tracks “New Light” and “Psychoheart”.
77. For What It’s Worth - BMTT.20 (11 November 2025)
As a massive fan of Monte Booker, listening to the works of BMTT.20 was crazy to me. The levels of production from this talented producer were amazing to listen to, and it was crazier to see experience his beats merge with performances from my personal favourite artists in South Africa, working with acts like Mxchael Blue, ol.floww, and GQAMI, having them all put in mind-bending efforts in their appearances on this thrilling project.
76. Kenz3i - Kenz3i (22 April 2025)
A sound so dystopian, Kenz3i’s knack for inviting listeners into a world of distortion that was confusing made so much sense, which was awesome to experience. A sound not too far from the likes of Yeat, the approach from this dynamic artist was stunning to experience, having crazy Trap elements merge with his engrossing performances.
75. Lyrical Cardio (Vol. 1) - Verge (13 June 2025)
A perfectly fitting title for this engrossing project from the Jozi-based rapper, Verge, used this album to display his top-tier lyrical abilities while also allowing listeners to enter his mind. I loved how Verge’s poetry flowed above smooth Boom Bap instrumentals that had me bewitched, while I also got to learn a little bit more about the rapper just by simply listening to his absorbing story.
74. Feel*r - kyabo (20 June 2025)
Talk about a mind trip. I adored how kyabo took listeners on an eccentric journey, detailing their personal experiences and questions that run throughout their mind. What stood out for me was the instrumentals on this tape, having abnormal sounds and synths meander above their vocal performance, making this listening experience that much more pleasant.
73. Muro Tapes - Cloudy Muro (31 August 2025)
Muro definitely elevated his rap game in 2025, and this offering proved just that. I was left so impressed by how this album was so well put together, having wonderful instrumentals merge with his magnetic lyrical performances while also having this album as a platform for newer emerging artists like Emenii, ol.floww, Melanie N, and more to showcase their gifts. I look forward to what 2026 holds for Cloudy Muro.
72. Into The Inferno - GQAMI (31 July 2025)
The Trap-R&B sound hasn’t sounded so alive until GQAMI rocked, shaking the room with her exotic performances over explosive instrumentals that blended the two genres perfectly. Tracks like “All I’ve Known” and “Feminine” (alongside Hurricane Dan Fischer) were glorious to experience. If you have yet to tap into the works of this fascinating songbird, I guarantee you now is the time to do so.
71. Too Rare - Chullz Manko x Fiji Mageba (28 February 2025)
This project was quite the discovery for me. Nobody had told me about it, and it just showed up on my suggested list, which I’m so glad I peeped. Chullz Manko really pulled off a stunner of a performance on this tape, hypnotizing listeners with both his rapping and singing performances. And Fiji surprised me with his production style, moving away from his gentle sound to a more explorative sound, crafting outstanding Hip Hop beats that had me appreciating how perfect the duo worked together.
70. ME, MYSELF, AND MIND - Joda Kgosi (26 September 2025)
Listening to this album felt like I was soaring through the clouds. Kgosi’s heavenly vocal performance was one I could not forget, and I loved how she dominated every track with her sensational vocal abilities as she narrated the thoughts that run through her mind. This was a brilliantly crafted offering from the rising singer.
69. COLORS - RGRSNW x Medicine Man (22 August 2025)
Hypnotizing listeners with his sweet singing gifts, RGRSNW shaped an incredible world of bliss with this release. I was impressed by how easy his melodies blended with Medicine Man’s enchanting instrumentals. My standout track was “LEAN ON ME”, which I constantly found myself returning to, and it’s no wonder - the track is an absolute banger and so is the rest of this project.
68. Lowlife - Seventhirty (23 May 2025)
The amount of energy on this release from the Underground virtuoso was too immense to the point where I struggled to keep up. Every track had the exciting gem flow over explosive Trap beats that had my speakers struggling to survive, which was a vibe to experience. Seventhirty may be my most underrated Underground artist out there, and the public needs to tap into this spine-chilling offering.
67. Sixteen - Thammy Ndlovu (26 September)
Gently guiding listeners on this voyage with just his guitar and soft melodies, Thammy’s “Sixteen” was a project I couldn’t help but relish. Each and every track brought about groovy vibes, constantly creating a lively environment, especially with the tracks “Pink Sheets” (alongside Giuliette Price) and “Games”.
66. The Metamorphosis - S B X (20 November 2025)
A project filled with colour, I really enjoyed how bubbly and jubilant this release was from the flourishing songbird. Each and every track had an abundance of flavour, having groovy dance tunes that were guided by her elegant vocal performances, truly displaying how astonishing an artist she can be.
65. As My Sanity Fades - Leo Brown x Rillo Beats (22 August 2025)
A deep and personal release from the gifted musician, Leo did an extraordinary job at unveiling his deepest and honest truths and thoughts in such a special way, using his sensational lyrical abilities to detail his story alongside Rillo Beats marvellous beats that constantly kept me entertained.
64. Take Caution - Fiji Mageba (14 January 2025)
There’s just something so unique about the quality of Fiji Mageba’s sound, never failing to let me down. This project had the gifted producer compose the most elementary sounds that brought about soothing energy via his Jazzy approach to his popular sound, and it was dope to see him work alongside a range of interesting artists like Luuigie_itis, Styles Davis, and Marcus Harvey.
63. UNDERWATER SPACE GARDEN - Sergiodeartist (4 March 2025)
If I’m being totally honest with you…I’m still not sure what the hell I was experiencing while listening to this tape. I am sure that I loved every bit of it, though. Listening to this project felt like a whole new medium of art and not the familiar sounds I’m used to. Listening to this project felt like I was lost in the wild, trying to find my way back home while encountering bizarre moments along the way. Not many projects make me feel that way, and it was lovely to have experienced that through this offering.
62. INYANGA - Lungelo Manzi (7 September 2025)
Swaying listeners away with his graceful performance, I adored how sophisticated Lungelo sounded on this suave release. This project was filled with so much love and soul. bringing about emotions of upliftment and joy that were paired with serene instrumentals that were an absolute paradise to experience.
61. Letters I Never Sent - Hannah Ray (17 October 2025)
This seven-track release from the proficient singer was one that had me reflecting on the hardships of being in love and the process of healing from that suffering. I enjoyed how beautiful Hannah’s vocal performance was on this album, creating such a delicate and fragile atmosphere that really made the listener resonate with her experiences.
60. BEFORE THINGS FELL APART - Joshua Futura (22 August 2025)
Futura had one hell of a crazy year, constantly impressing me with how thrilling his poetry and approach to Hip Hop sounds. This jarring release had the lyricist speak on the negative experiences he’s had to deal with in his young life, such as xenophobia, making sacrifices, and having to determine what kind of man he’ll eventually have to become in a harsh world.
59. Beginnings & Endings - Faker Streets (21 November 2025)
This was such a wholesome album to experience. Faker Streets has this brilliant talent of uplifting listeners with their fulfilling sound, moving listeners with glorious performances over stimulating Alt-Rock instrumentals that constantly had me feeling jovial throughout this album.
58. Better Days Are Coming - Frank Apollo (19 September 2025)
Uplifting the sounds of soul, Apollo’s efforts in this wonderful project were of the highest level. This album took a slow and careful approach, crafting a world of harmony while also incorporating a wide range of talented cameo appearances from exceptional artists like Chvrlie Erathling, King Lutendo, Ovuyonke, and more.
57. It’s Complicated - Maxine Caesar (20 August 2025)
A body of soulful love ballads, Maxine’s “It’s Complicated” was her moment to flaunt her mighty vocal gifts. I loved how appealing she sounded on this six-track release, exploring a variety of R&B and Poppy instrumentals that perfectly matched the energy of her performances, especially the track “Closer,” which was a groovy joint to experience.
56. EXPOSURE.THERAPY.II - In2une (5 November 2025)
In2une had one hell of a productive year, constantly dropping gems throughout 2025. However, this release by the talented beatmaker also marked his debut behind the mic, swaying listeners with his hypnotic vocals over perplexing but beautiful beats. A sound I wasn’t familiar with before, but I loved it the instant I started listening to it.
55. good mourning - chaylon j. (20 April 2025)
This project was such a blessing to listen to. The atmosphere crafted by the guitarist and vocalist was so peaceful and heavenly to experience, with sweet and serene sounds ringing around my ears, guided by his wonderful guitar notes and his tranquil singing performances.
54. Missed Calls - Phiwo (15 August 2025)
I remember the first time listening to “Falling” and being amazed by how breathtaking everything sounded.This was one stunner of an EP. Although only four-tracks long, each track had the glistening songbird flaunt her gorgeous vocals as she detailed her experiences with love in such elegant fashion.
53. Neruda: the Last Trilogy - ol.floww (30 July 2025)
An artist to seriously keep an eye out for, ol.floww’s attempt at making this offering as personal and true to himself was powerful. This tape had listeners understand the challenges the lyricist has been having to deal with, questioning whether what he’s trying to achieve should be determined by others or himself. His lyrical abilities were sublime to listen to as he continuously bodied every Jazzy Hip Hop instrumental.
52. Narratives - Thami James (29 August 2025)
This project was unbelievable to listen to. After listening to this six-track EP for the first time, I was left feeling amazed by how spectacular everything sounded, from her astonishing vocal performances to the exceptional instrumentals, which had me feeling like I was soaring through the heavens with how angelic everything sounded.
51. CARTWHEELS ON STEROIDS - LOUNGE SINGER (27 June 2025)
All of LOUNGE SINGER’s releases in 2025 were spectacular to vibe out to; however, this tape was the one that stood out for me and constantly had me returning to it with how ludicrous everything sounded. Every track introduced a unique but elementary sound to it, truly making me fall in love with the world of beats, and I thank this talented genius for that!
50. At What Co$t? [Mixtape] - DoxThe_Maverick (11 November 2025)
The intro on this tape instantly had me hooked by how incredibly it was executed by the brilliantly minded virtuoso. The way Dox’s high-pitched cadence carried itself over the abundance of absorbing instrumentals was striking, dominating tracks like “Ikemitse”, “Ngikhonzele”, and “Kaligraphy” that had him flex his outstanding rapping gifts.
49. Everything’s Okay (The Mixtape) - Hurricane Dan Fischer (14 March 2025)
A refreshing sound in the SA Hip Hop sphere, Fischer pulled off an exceptional job with this captivating body of art. Each and every track had the KZN prospect flex his prowess over satisfying instrumentals that constantly had me enthralled with tracks like “THOLAKELE” and “PONGOLA” (alongside BABA KUSHI).
48. Baby Elephant - Lelam (14 February 2025)
An album I recently kept bumping over the festive period, Lelam’s “Baby Elephant” never failed to shake rooms. Merging his seductive vocal performances with his groovy AfroHouse beats (all produced by him, by the way) was stunning to play out loud and sing along to. More jams from the talented virtuoso are needed in 2026!
47. Meraki* - Liamar (31 October 2025)
Further expanding his already impressive discography, the Uitenhage star did an exceptional job at proving why he should be taken seriously. I loved Liamar’s ferocious approach towards this release, having the lyricist constantly switch up his flows and melodies in such a profound manner, leaving me on the edge of my seat after each and every joint.
46. Scars & Wounds - Jack Apk (20 November 2025)
I’ll never stop being a sucker for heartbreak music. There’s just a special thing about how relatable it is to my experiences with the ups and downs of being in a loving relationship, and Jack Apk captured that experience perfectly with this emotional release while also flaunting his enchanting singing abilities.
45. Island 22 - Gemma Fassie (28 March 2025)
Listening to this peachy six-track project from this enchanting songbird was brilliant from start to finish.This release was filled with divine tunes having heavenly vocal performances from Fassie that always kept me on my toes, especially with my personal favourite tracks “No More” and “What You Want”.
44. Hiatus Was Never The Plan - Vapi (25 April 2025)
An absolute banger of a Hip Hop project, the Capetonian maestro used this release to flex his impeccable lyrical gifts while painting a picture of his everyday dilemmas that he’s had to endure. The beat production on this offering was also outstanding, being provided by the incredibly talented Akhil Budhal, and the two did one hell of a job with this gripping album.
43. Love Frequency - Alisha Rosa (30 November 2025)
A new gem on the rise, this amazing songbird went all out for this release, flawlessly displaying her vocal capabilities in such a fashionable way. Her blissful vocal performances were a joy to listen to, further pushing the Neo Soul genre in South Africa, and I look forward to how far she continues to push the well-admired sound.
42. WHY GOD GAMBLES - BABA KUSHI (10 October 2025)
What a way to portray a story through just sound alone. KUSHI did an exceptional job at detailing the struggles of Soweto and the battles that the community has to deal with, constantly rolling the dice in hopes of a better life. KUSHI’s storytelling abilities were of the highest quality, and I admired how this tape was so highly produced with such care and purpose.
41. THROWING STONES - Archi (14 November 2025)
I really enjoyed Archi’s 2024 project release, titled “These Thoughts”, so I was heavily anticipating his newest release, and it did not disappoint. I loved how experimental the virtuoso was, always exploring funky sounds with his guitar while constantly performing as if his life depended on it.
40. I DON’T FEEL LIKE, I SHOULD FEEL LIKE THIS - Ben Reid (19 September 2025)
What a breakout year for this exceptional musician. The energy Ben brought to the table in 2025 was amazing to see, constantly releasing wonderful tunes and eventually dropping this bubbly tape that had him voice his life experiences in such a sublime way while also flaunting his magnetic singing gifts.
39. Renaissance Baby! - SHIMII (16 January 2025)
My earliest introduction to the gripping sounds of SHIMII, I adored how vibrant the Jozi-based poet made this release sound. Tracks like “Missing!” and “Pompeii!” (alongside Shoka Sunflower) were glorious to experience and were my standout tracks from this mesmerizing tape, and were the ones that really had me hooked to this brilliantly minded lyricist.
38. Picnic - nexa (4 April 2025)
There’s just something so wonderful about this four-track release. I loved how serene and soothing this tape sounded, having the songbird soothingly perform her heart out over soft and gentle chords of the guitar, truly making the experience feel like a picnic in a luscious garden. This really was a short but sweet offering, but I enjoyed every bit of it.
37. Santilala - Tshego Santana (6 September 2025)
This was a lovely switch-up from Santana, jumping into the world of AfroBeats while staying true to his distinct sound. It’s always amazing for me to see artists test new waters, and this project had Santana doing just that while passing with flying colours, never failing to bring the summer vibes with this release.
36. Vital Ital - Cold Chinese Food x Sam Turpin x The Charles Géne Suite (30 July 2025)
A project I didn’t discover until later this year, I couldn’t fathom how breathtaking this album was. This amazing collective went all out on this one, manufacturing a tape that brought about emotions of ecstasy as Sam Turpin laid down his eccentric bars over Jazzy instrumentals provided by The Charles Géne Suite. I urge you to peep their track “Ethiopian Coffee”, and you’ll find out exactly what I mean.
35. I Forget Myself - Akeeda (27 June 2025)
The voice on Akeeda was absolutely wonderful to listen to on this soothing four-track EP. The Capetonian vocalist wowed listeners with her stunning performances over heavenly instrumentals that had tones of spring and peace while she opened up to listeners about her truest thoughts and emotions.
34. Love Tales From The Loop - Some.Unique.Individual (29 August 2025)
An offering filled with love, soul, and romance, this enchanting singer was sublime to experience. Although only four tracks long, every track was brilliant to experience, having SUI dominate smooth instrumentals with his dazzling voice as he detailed his experiences with love and the troubles that come with that.
33. GRIME AND GRACE - Pumas+Roses (2 May 2025)
Everything Pumas touches turns into gold, and this release proved exactly that. I found myself hypnotized by Pumas storytelling abilities as he narrated the dark and twisted thoughts that ran around his head, reflecting on the battles he’s had to face in his young life with just the use of his polished lyrical abilities.
32. Mulberry Tree - Babble Hume (2 May 2025)
This was the project that made me fall in love with this unique boy band from Jozi. The drums, the notes from the guitar, the vocal performances, and the energy of this release were so refreshing. I loved how, at one point, they could smooth down the vibes with a track like “On my way (Bring me back)” to suddenly amplifying everything with the track “Foxglove”. I will never forget the first time experiencing this crew, thanks to this EP.
31. MILANA - Love, Tumi (25 July 2025)
This offering really welcomed listeners to the world of Love, Tumi. This was my first time experiencing the genius of the excellent vocalist as he continuously captured my heart with how flawless his voice sounded over gloomy R&B instrumentals while unveiling his frustrations of being in love.
30. Home Truths: The Mixtape - Mxchael Blue (2 December 2025)
An album I couldn’t stop returning to, Blue really made this offering extra personal, detailing his experiences of the ups and downs of love. I enjoyed how lucid everything sounded, having his elegant vocal performances shine above sensational beats, especially on the tracks “What Lovers Do” (alongside Reneilwe) and “Process”.
29. All That I Am - PSILK (20 June 2025)
PSILK impressed me this year, and I’m so grateful I came across his work. This EP was a really special one, having the musician from Oudtshoorn guide listeners on a dreamy adventure, dazzling listeners with his gentle vocal performances while bubbly instrumentals floated above his voice, crafting this radiant atmosphere for listeners to get lost in.
28. Lost & Found - TAYKATRIP (10 July 2025)
The manner in which TAYKATRIP moved me with this divine EP was simply high-class. I adored everything about this five-track EP, having the eccentric virtuoso flaunt his musical abilities over instrumentals that incorporated weird yet wonderful sounds. It was really cool to see him not only display his singing talents, but also his rapping talents on the track “Neverland” that caught me off guard.
27. LOTUK VOL. 2: NO RISK, NO ROSES - Sipho The Gift (7 February 2025)
Staying true to being the formidable force that he’s consistently been known for, Sipho went absolutely hard on this riveting release. A blend of top-notch lyrical displays over raunchy Hip Hop instrumentals was everything I needed to fill that craving of mine, and this project was filled with explosive hits.
26. Remember To Breathe III - Jay Furré (22 April 2025)
The energy oozing out of this six-track offering from the suave vocalist was sensational to experience. This was my first time experiencing the sounds of Furré, and I was left feeling astonished by what I was hearing. Furré’s ability to craft a groovy environment (especially with the tracks “GONE!” and “situations”) was so much fun to listen to, and he definitely gained himself a new fan from VERVE, thanks to this project.
25. TONKA - Bahle Hadebe (28 November 2025)
I can’t explain how amazed I was listening to this exceptional project. Soul has never been so alive! Hadebe’s execution on this album was top-tier, swaying listeners with his mighty vocals that soared throughout this album. I knew there was something special about this singer after experiencing his early release, “Pieces Of Us”. However, this release took my perception of him to an even higher level.
24. Gauteng to Gaborone - Banzai x Xashmere XO (30 July 2025)
Building bridges between different nations is exactly what I’ve been calling for, and this dynamic duo did perfectly, having Botswana and South Africa unite to create magic. I lost my mind listening to this tape, having Banzai’s soothing melodical vocals merge with Xashmere’s raspy but alluring vocal rapping, crafting a fantastic Yin and Yang effect.
23. Deltora - togu (3 October 2025)
A strange but wonderful sound, togu’s approach to his art on this release was rejuvenating as he introduced listeners to a blend of all sorts of upbeat genres. Tracks like “SCUMBAG!” (featuring jeanclaude downing) and “Enemy Waters” were the two tracks that I absolutely adored, perfectly capturing how explorative and versatile a musician togu is.
22. The Minerals U Need - TRP Don Gy (2 September 2025)
This album was flawlessly executed by the Capetonian lyricist. I enjoyed how much of a storyteller TRP was on this release, sharing his tale of his experiences dealing with fake friendships, fake relationships, and fake expectations from those around him while also captivating listeners with his bustling bars over charming Hip Hop beats.
21. R A T L O U - D F W N E (27 June 2025)
A spiritual awakening for the blessed musician, D F W N E made this offering a personal one, gifting listeners with the opportunity to understand his experiences through breathtaking singing performances over an array of Traditional instrumentals that were so easy for the ears to experience and enjoy.
20. Ape Kill Ape - Frankness Everyday (2 June 2025)
Frankness Everyday is a truly unique prospect in the SA rap scene. This release really marked his name in the game, stunning my ear with how impressive his high-pitched cadence sounded through raps, never failing to have me locked in while listening to his preachings on this exciting project.
19. Coterie - Girlthewoman (10 December 2025)
An artist I truly believe needs more eyes on, I couldn’t fathom how beautiful this release was from the talented songbird. I had to pick my jaw off the floor after experiencing this heavenly project as she continuously impressed me with her angelic performances over soulful instrumentals.
18. Hugo: The Etheromaniac - Earlridge x Iam6teen (28 February 2025)
What a way to display your musical gifts. I had the time of my life listening to Earlridge’s charming vocals merge with Iam6teen’s dynamic production. Every joint had something new to offer, having Earl either conquer wavy sounds on the track “Cherry Coca-Cola” or the Brazilian Phonk-inspired track, “Etheromania”, showcasing the singer’s capabilities and the producer’s knack for always crafting new sounds.
17. For Now Keep Dancing - Shoka Sunflower x Moo Latte (25 July 2025)
A project that had Shoka pull up the motivation on pushing through the hard times in life, I had such a fun time listening to this groovy but emotional album. Shoka pulled off an exceptional job at keeping listeners entranced with his suave rap and melodical performances over an array of striking beats manufactured by the talented Moo Latte.
16. Fear Is The Weapon - Cistamatic (30 August 2025)
I don’t think my ears are trained enough for a sound like this. However, I still had an awesome time listening to this release from the Capetonian Rock band. I enjoyed how exciting everything sounded, having raging guitars and booming drums blare behind the stunning performance from their lead singer.
15. The Oracle - Kimberleigh Venty
Not only did I enjoy experiencing this soulful queen’s release digitally, but I also had the pleasure of hearing it live, and that made this project that much better. Venty’s glorious performance on this Jazzy offering was incredible as she dominated the limelight with her stunning voice that carried over seductive instrumentals.
14. Pelo Nama Le Moea - Spooko Mfana (12 September 2025)
Exploring a range of fluorescent beats, this enigmatic poet wasted no time demanding a presence with his phenomenal artistry. I was left feeling astonished by each and every track as he continuously utilized his distinguished talents in the best way he possibly could, constantly entrancing me with his top-notch rap performances.
13. a glimpse inside my mind - Kristi Lowe (27 August 2025)
I absolutely enjoyed how sophisticated this album sounded, having the sweet sounds from the enchanting Cape Town-based songbird ring around my ears as she allured me with her absorbing performance that brought about vibes of ecstasy and euphoria.
12. Isigaba - Enocs Mae x Keyywav (30 May 2025)
These two phenoms had one hell of a year with this release, making a statement for the whole nation to take them seriously. This album had the duo flaunt their gifts, with Enocs displaying his vocal capabilities over Keywavv’s soulful instrumentals that proved how powerful a duo they truly can be.
11. KUZIMU - Roho (27 December 2025)
A latecomer on this list, but deservedly up this high, Roho displayed exactly why he’s been widely adored in the SA alternative music scene. This release had the graceful vocalist blossom throughout intoxicating sounds, capturing my ear with how extraordinary he could compose himself around such remarkable instrumentals.
10. Volume 2 - MeccaMind (7 November 2025)
The number one top striker did it once again. Following the success of his 2024 release, tiltled “FRUITSNAX”, Mecca elevated his distinct sound to a whole new level, voyaging through a whole new range of bouncy beats that sounded best at max volume, capturing audiences with his riveting performances, especially on tracks like “BND”, “Feng Shui”, and Cape Town’s street anthem, “Motho O”.
9. EVERYTHING IS DESTINED - T!MBO (20 June 2025)
Simply an extraordinary offering, this release from the Capetonian musician was exceptional to listen to. The energy, the plot, the performance, and the execution were at the highest level. You could really hear how much time and effort were put into this project, having T!MBO shine bright with his performances over top-tier levels of production.
8. Asante - ZRi (13 October 2025)
Blessing listeners with his tenebrous presence, ZRi sounded extravagant on this release, using his distinct sound to strike listeners with how emotional his tone of art could sound. I really enjoyed how ZRi shaped his world of dealing with love in such a dark way, truly shaping how the world looks for a person going through that sort of experience in such a relatable way.
7. ANXIOUSLY PREOCCUPIED - giuliette price (7 November 2025)
The amounts of elegance and sweetness that filled this four-track EP were exceeding. The Capetonian songbird graced ears with how serene and pure her performance sounded over soothing yet simplistic instrumentals that had listeners feeling tranquil and compassionate about the experiences they have felt dealing with love.
6. AMONGST THE PIGEONS - JARRY PITBOI x Permi Kwaali (19 September 2025)
A combination of two forces that brought about moments of reflection and thoughts, Jarry and Permi crafted a listening experience that every listener could never forget. Experiencing the highly admired lyricists' preachings merge with Kwaali’s beguiling beat production was marvellous and refreshing, especially on the tracks “The Brunt” and “Stunt Doubles”.
5. Glasshouse Theory - Joshua Futura (11 April 2025)
I strongly believe and will die on a hill for announcing this, but this was the best Hip Hop project to come out of South Africa. Futura had no holdbacks on this release, forcibly displaying his power with his vigorous poetry over remarkable Hip Hop instrumentals. To think 2025 was his first year of officially putting his name out in the game is incredible, and I can only see greatness for this young gem.
4. George Cilverfox : Hymn of The Floating Palace - Babble Hume (12 December 2025)
I was already mesmerized by this collective’s earlier release, “Mulberry Tree”, but damn, did this take the cake. Everything I appreciated about them before was enhanced on this thrilling project that took their sound to a higher level, constantly blowing me away with how they were able to mix smooth and charming sounds to loud and explosive sounds from the intro all the way to the conclusion.
3. LERATO LA RONA* - Lerato Orchestral Collective (11 August 2025)
Oh boy, how glorious and unforgettable a listening experience this was. This band from Jozi really understood how to craft what I call “sensational music”. The way each and every member came together to execute the creation of this release was outstanding, as listeners were blessed with a mixture of Jazz and Rock that brought chills down the spine, especially on tracks like “LERATO” and my personal favourite, “SWIM”.
2. LUCKY UU - LUUKHANYO (7 November 2025)
Listening to this magical album felt like I was watching a film. LUUKHANYO’s performance on this offering kept me on my feet, constantly captivating me with how sweet and melodic both his raps and singing sounded over this release as he narrated a fascinating story of the struggles and dooms he’s had to endure while trying to discover who he truly is as a young aspirer in a cruel and dangerous world.
1. Romance Is Dead - Mxchael Blue x ocean (20 August 2025)
An album that perfectly depicts any loving relationship from start to finish; Blue’s narration of that whole kind of experience was perfectly described as he went through emotions of questioning his faults in a failing relationship to finally accepting and appreciating one that he’s finally free from. It’s been a long time since I’ve truly related to a project and his wonderful performance, and ocean’s pleasing instrumentals captured all those emotions in the most immaculate way.
HONORABLE MENTIONS
Mode Creation Music - L3bby (12 October 2025)
not the same - Anica Kiana (26 September 2025)
Inqawe - Solo Ntsizwa x Buhlebendalo (29 October 2025)
SMR PCK II - DONTMAKESENZ (28 November 2025)
Pg18: Inertia - NALMie (3 November 2025)
COLLIDE - Mopau Mumu (12 September 2025)
pure clarity - bigaj! (27 July 2025)
LWTTN: No Way Back - SiphoMjita x Ricco Tello (17 0ctober 2025)
RESET - Zack Mansion x Jac Lou (21 May 2025)
5TH FLOOR - Skyler YSL x Angelo Supastara (5 February 2025)
CRUX - Slezzy K (21 March 2025)
Author’s Note and Acknowledgements - MaS Genesis (11 Novemebr 2025)
Thamsanqa - Pro CHxLD (11 September 2025)
Ticket To Ride - RICKY AKIMBO (3 November 2025)
DaysBefore - zannix (27 October 2025)
UMOYA - Umntungwambulazi x Skylertheboogieman (14 June 2025)
i’ll see you later, My Lover - Frank, The Outcast (1 September 2025)
And there you have it!
I’d love to thank all the outstanding musicians in Southern Africa who provided us with exceptional bodies of art throughout 2025. It was a big year for many, and trust me when I say I saw you putting in all that work.
I’m super excited for what 2026 holds in store for the many music lovers in SA. I’ll be keeping my ears close to the ground (like I always do), and I’ll be peeping every new release that comes out during the year.
For those who are just readers, I urge you to peruse the work of all these artists. It helps them with the growth in their career, and the love keeps their momentum going. We’ve also compiled our Top 100 2025 playlist, available for streaming platforms.
