According to Nielsen Music, the South African music market is worth a cool R2 billion in revenue. If you’re not from around these parts and are planning a trip there soon, this article’s for you! Read on to discover detailed information about the music scene in South Africa by looking at our quick stats and insights into its digital music consumers, streaming services and local artists.
No matter what type of music you like, chances are you can find something that will tickle your ears. The country has a rich history of different cultures and traditions, which is why it offers so many different genres of music.
From rock and pop to jazz and hip-hop, here’s where to find some fantastic tunes if you plan on visiting South Africa soon!
How many people listen to music in South Africa?
We know that music has been a part of human culture since the beginning of time. But how many people actually listen to music around the world? There’s no definitive answer to this question, as there are no globally accepted metrics to determine how many people enjoy music, let alone how many people actively listen to it. However, according to the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI), music is becoming increasingly popular. In fact, more people are listening to music than ever before.
They estimate that there are over 1.08 billion music consumers worldwide. That’s around 40% of the world’s population! The majority of those music consumers live in Asia, Latin America and Africa. As African countries are growing economically, many people are now able to access the internet. This means a higher percentage of the population can listen to music online.
Digital Music Consumers in SA
According to our latest research, the average South African digital music consumer is male, aged between 25 and 34, and earns an average income of R20,000 per month. As of now, the South African digital music market is worth a massive R1.1 billion and is expected to grow to R1.5 billion by 2022! This is thanks to a number of factors including increased mobile device usage, increased number of music streaming subscription users, and an increase in music consumption (e.g. more shows, concerts, etc.).
The average digital music consumer listens to music for two hours per day. And with figures like this, it’s easy to see why the South African digital music market is worth so much money.
Music Streaming Services in SA
If you want to become a digital music consumer in South Africa, you first have to decide which music streaming service you want to subscribe to. You have a lot of choice, but some of the most popular music streaming services in South Africa include Apple Music, Spotify, Deezer, Google Play Music, Amazon Music, and SoundCloud Go. These services offer various subscription packages, let you create playlists, and offer music recommendations based on your listening habits. They also let you access millions of songs across a wide range of genres and styles. However, certain music streaming services are more popular in South Africa than others. For example, while Apple Music and Amazon Music are both available in the country, Deezer, Spotify, and Google Play Music are not.
Local Artists and Bands from SA
As most of the digital music streaming services in South Africa let you access music from all over the world, you’ll likely find something you like regardless of how long you’re staying in the country. However, if you want to get an idea of South African culture through music, there are a number of local artists and bands from South Africa you can listen to. A wide range of local artists and bands from South Africa are popular globally. For example, you might want to check out some music by Black Coffee or The Parlotones, who regularly perform at major music festivals all over the world. If you want to learn more about South African music, you can also visit the website of the South African Music Association (SAMMA).
Final Words
If you love music, South Africa is the perfect place to visit. The country has a huge variety of different styles, so you’re bound to find something you like. Plus, with millions of people listening to music in the country every day, you’re bound to hear it in almost every place you go!
If you want to enjoy music during your stay in South Africa, be sure to check out our quick facts and insights into the digital music consumers, streaming services, and local artists in the country. From there, you’ll be well on your way to discovering which music streaming service is best for you!