South Africa’s airwaves have always had rhythm, harmony, and hope. If you’re searching famous male South African singers, it won’t take long to find a list going back to the dusty shebeens of yesteryear to the streaming playlists of today.
There’s no doubt, many male South African music artists have made the world sit up and listen.
Among these, in this article you will read about township jazz, maskandi, kwaito, amapiano and hip-hop, each reflecting a unique style in our collective music history.
So, while their paths may differ the success of our male singers shows what can happen when raw talent meets relentless practice. When you look deeper, you will almost always find that a trusted singing coach has guided them. As you read about their about their amazing legacies or future potential, remember that every South African male artist you meet here is only part of a much wider, ever-evolving choir. If this sounds interesting, keep reading to find out which South African male artist inspires you the most.
When you finished, you could compare this list with our article about top South African female singers.
Hugh Masekela - The Horn That Could Sing
Witbank-born Hugh Masekela first picked up a trumpet in the 1950s, but it was not long before his voice rang out with equal wonder. If you’re searching famous South African singers male, there’s no doubt he will make your list.
An important figure in South African history, he merged lively township jazz with protest lyrics, even scoring a global number-one hit in 1968 with “Grazing in the Grass.”
After this, a Grammy Award nomination, honorary doctorates and big hit, Order of Ikhamanga, one of South Africa’s highest civilian honours followed, yet Bra Hugh as he was affectionately known, always went home to jam in Soweto.
Any South African male artist dreaming of similar longevity should note Masekela’s lifelong devotion to breathing technique; he credited hours of scales with a singing coach during exile for keeping both his trumpet and his vocal cords strong.
By the way, if you are debating who is the most famous singer in South Africa right now, don’t miss our accompanying article in this series.
Johnny Clegg: The Bridge Builder
Born in Lancashire but raised in Jo'burg, Johnny Clegg broke musical and cultural boundaries since his teenage years.
He was affectionately known as “The White Zulu,” and blended isiZulu lyrics, maskandi guitar and Celtic folk in his bands Juluka and Savuka. Did you know that “Scatterlings of Africa” rocketed up the European charts and even found its way onto the Rain Man soundtrack?
Among our male South African music artists, Clegg stood out for learning traditional dance steps in migrant hostels and for taking lessons from a singing coach to ensure his breath control matched those vigorous moves.
What about awards, you ask?
There were certainly many! An OBE, Chevalier des Arts et Lettres, and multiple SAMAs mark a career that inspired many.
Ringo Madlingozi: The Velvet Parliamentarian
Phaphamani “Ringo” Madlingozi’s smooth tenor floated from Peddie in the Eastern Cape to national stardom after he won the 1986 Shell Road to Fame contest. Hits like “Sondela” and “Into Yam” made him a must-play at weddings and braais, and his Afro-pop ballads still receive marathon sing-along treatment on taxis between Gqeberha and Gauteng.
As one of the great South African singers, Ringo collected SAMAs, Kora awards and a Metro FM Music Award, then surprised fans again by entering Parliament in 2019.
Black Coffee: The Sonic Alchemist
Nkosinathi Maphumulo, professionally known as Black Coffee, may be revered as a DJ-producer, yet his husky baritone threads also through tracks like “Come With Me” and “Drive.”
His live sets often find him serenading audiences before turning back to the decks, making him a worthy contender for your famous South African singers male list. His Grammy-winning album Subconsciously (2022) features trans-Atlantic vocal partnerships. More proof that male South African music artists can thrive at the top tire of house-music.
Interestingly, Black Coffee also mentors other vocalists, describing himself as a part-time singing coach during studio sessions.
Ever wondered which bands shaped Black Coffee’s early ear? Look out for our other article in this series, which explores some of the famous South African bands worth knowing.
Kabza De Small: The Amapiano Crooner-Producer
Kabelo “Kabza De Small” Motha headlines playlists as the “King of Amapiano,” but listen closely to “Sponono” or “Abalele” and you will notice him murmuring melodic tags behind the guest vocalists.
In the fluid Amapiano scene, where producer and singer often trade places mid-song, Kabza stands out among male South African singers for injecting laid-back harmonies over log-drum grooves. If you think you could never make it as a singer, let Kabza inspire you. He admits he was tone-deaf in high school until a patient singing coach at Mamelodi’s community arts centre taught him vocal warm-up vowels!
Vusi Mahlasela: The Voice That Heals
Pretoria-born Vusi Mahlasela earned his nickname “The Voice” during the struggle years, when his piercing tenor could hush crowds even on the toughest marches.
His legendary performance of “When You Come Back” at Nelson Mandela’s inauguration will go down in the history books for sealing his fame. Few male South African music artists combine folk finger-picking, mbaqanga basslines and poetry as seamlessly as Vusi Mahlasela.
Locally, Vusi has scooped many SAMAs and a National Order of Ikhamanga and Internationally, he has shared stages with Dave Matthews Band and Josh Groban. If you are looking to study the skills of a South African male artiest, be sure to analyse Vusi’s open-throat technique and gentle vibrato, both refined in long evenings spent with township elders rather than with a formal singing coach!
Mandoza – The Kwaito Thunderbolt
Mduduzi “Mandoza” Tshabalala shot from Soweto’s Zola township straight into history with 2000’s mega-single “Nkalakatha.” The song went multi-platinum, dominated rugby stadiums, and crowned him a fearsome South African male artist who could make kasi slang resonate from Camps Bay to Carnoustie.
Mandoza is also famous for balancing rap-style verses with gravelly sung choruses. His vocal grit, polished under the watchful ear of a neighbourhood singing coach determined to stretch his chest voice without losing its edge. Mandoza’s posthumous Lifetime Achievement Awards and a musical biopic remind us that some legends might burn briefly, but brightly.
Hip Hop Pantsula: The Motswako Trailblazer
Jabulani “HHP” Tsambo put Mafikeng on the map by weaving Setswana rhyme into a mid-2000s hip-hop boom dominated by American accents. Chart-toppers like “Music & Lights” and “Tswaka” means that he will come up in most searches for famous South African singers male!
HHP is not only iconic, but also a bilingual ambassador for the Motswako movement. His discography snagged Metro FM and Channel O trophies and opened African doors for subsequent male South African singers such as Khuli Chana and Cassper Nyovest.
So, Who’s Next?
We have but skimmed the surface with only eight extraordinary South African male artists of our time. There are more and another generation is already uploading and downloading their talent from every corner of the country.
So, in your search for famous South African singers male, who else would you add to your list? Do today’s amapiano crooners outshine yesterday’s jazz virtuosos? Tell us below!
And if your own voice is itching to take flight in song, why not book time with a local singing coach? Remember mentors and coaches are often the unsung heroes behind many fulfilled dreams.
Meanwhile, for more music history and inspiration for joining the ranks of legends, come back here for more articles on similar topics. As for the question who wears the crown among the male South African singers – you decide.
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