South Africans vote for the cross-over song which plays on new years eve on KZN's number one radio station Ukhozi FM. The song of the year is a song that kept them on their feet dancing this year and swinging their hips as it plays at midnight.
Maskandi has always been on the list, but this year things have changed. The list is dominated by Amapiano songs which have taken the country by storm. Artists such as Makhadzi, DJ Maphorisa, Zakes Bantwini and Young Stunna have been nominated for the song of the year.
Here is the list of SABC’s Ukhozi FM Top 10 songs of 2021.
A – Khula – Gallo No Bello, Nisani. B – Uthando Lwami – Amasiblings, DJ Mngadi. C – Ghanama – Makhadzi, Prince Benza. D – Izolo – DJ Maphorisa,Tyler ICU, Visca, Madumane, Mpura, Daliwonga. E – Osama -Zakes Bantwini, Kasango. F – Wena Nkosi Uyazi – Jumbo. G – Isibani – DJ Hlo,DJ Manzo SA, Siboniso. H – Adiwele – Young Stunna, Kabza De Small, DJ Maphorisa. I – Umuzi E Sandton – Big Zulu, Lwa Ndlunkulu. J – Asibe Happy – Kabza De Small, DJ Maphorisa, Ami Faku.
The song of the year in 2019 sparked a debate about tribalism. This follows after DJ Maphorisa and Kabza did make it to the list. It ended up not playing following drama between the station and MO Production.
Following the termination of MO Production's services, Ukhozi FM continued to use the company's concept without compensating them. The company managed the New Year's Eve Song of the Year chart for the station. Ukhozi FM was prohibited from airing "Song of the Year" due to an interdict obtained by MO Productions.
Speaking to Sowetan LIVE, Owen Ndlovu expressed his anger at the station for continuing to announce the top 10 list without his participation. "While I was driving on Tuesday, I heard one of the SABC radio stations announcing a Top 10 and asking the listeners to vote. I said this is our concept that SABC is running without us. They have taken everything that we presented to them," he said,
"Somebody will say Ukhozi FM has been doing it for years, but there was no public voting involved before. They handle it the way they do their weekend Top 20, which is based on their playlist. But it is not voted for by people. We identified the spot of the 31st [Dcember] and SABC loved it too." The interdict failed and the SABC continued to air the song of the year.
