Top 5 Maskandi Artists In 2023

In this post, we are going to share in detail the top five Maskandi artists in South Africa. The list ranks the artists on their achievements and awards in the South African music industry.

Maskandi is a music genre deeply rooted in South Africa. The genre has received widespread recognition across the nation.

What Is Maskandi?

Just like other music genres Maskandi originated from the Zulu word. Maskandi is a form of Zulu folk music that was said to be mostly sung by migrant workers evolving with South African society.

As per a report on Wikipedia; The music originated in “female gourd-resonated monochord songs that were transferred and given an acoustic life on guitar”.

The roots of what is today called maskandi have been traced back to non-guitar-based forms of music in the 1920s, with the shift to guitar beginning in Rhodesia in the 1930s with a group of musicians inspired by the music in Western films.

It was then developed by migrant workers in South Africa.

Maskandi is typically played on cheap, portable instruments, or modern instruments tuned or produced to imitate the polyphonic sounds of the old instruments.

Top 5 (Five) Maskandi Artists 2023

Listed below are the names of the top five Maskandi artists in South Africa in 2023. Lots of Maskandi musicians are doing pretty but the list only hosts a few of them with notable popularity on the internet sphere.

1. Khuzani

Khuzani is no doubt one of the top five maskandi in 2023. Born December 3, 1989, Khuzani Nkosikhona Innocent Mpungose has through his music career gained a wider recognition.

He rose to fame in 2009 after participating in Mgqumeni’s album iSecret.

Khuzani who has over twelve studio albums in his name was on April 21 honoured at Nkandla Mayoral Awards for his outstanding achievement in the Maskandi genre.

2. Ntencane

The second artist who made the list of Top 10 Maskandi artists in 2023 is Senzo Ntencane Zondi. Born in Kwazulu-Nata on the 2nd of November, the artiste who is a singer and songwriter has recorded a notable prominence in the music industry.

His popularity grew in 2020 when a won the Ukhozi FM Aard through his first debut album “Wawuthembeni” making his the second Maskandi artiste to win the award.

3. Igcokama Elisha

Born on April 24, 1988, Mdletsheni, Mtubatuba, KwaZulu-Natal Igcokama Elisha real name Mthandeni Sibusiso Manqele has certainly made a name for himself in the music industry.

As the sixth of seven children to Mr J. Manqele and Bekwaphi MaShandu Igcokama Elisha way to the top wasn’t that smooth.

He has so many hit songs and albums in his name and has made lots of sales of his digital records.

4. Inkosi Yamagcokama

Born Scebi Dlamini, Inkos’yamagcokama affirmed himself as the torchbearer of Maskandi with Zulu folk music in South Africa with songs like 2017ʼs “Kungcono Ngife” and 2019ʼs “Asenzele Bona.”

On December 2023 Inkosi Yamagcokama released one of his most sold-out studio projects Inkosi Yamagcokama New Album. His music career has gained him more exposure and achievements in the music industry.

5. Mzukulu

The maskandi singer, whose real name is Sifanele Zulu, said he only chose to work with big artists and it’s working for him.

He has worked with big names in the SA music industry, the likes of Sjava, Khuzani, Big Zulu.

Mzukulu who believes in the saying “Learn from the experienced” is currently recording under Sjava’s music label, 1020 Cartel.