2020 has been a tumultuous year. With a global pandemic, hard lockdowns in South Africa, and a tired economy – JOOX stepped up. The music app provided much-needed entertainment and music, bringing joy to thousands in a time of uncertainty. And as of Friday, users around the globe can see what they got up to in-app.
The JOOX Music Round Up shows users their in-app activity for the year. The Music Round Up features a playlist of users’ favourite artists for 2020, their time spent in the JOOX app, number of songs played – and how many times they played it.
The Music Round Up is a celebration of music and for users to see how music played a part in their lives this year. The Music Round Up closes off a strong year for JOOX. The app hosted a whopping 626 LIVE shows and provided support to artists in time of need, and also featured some of SA’s biggest names in its Big Live concert series.
JOOX Artist Of The Year
Most notably, the JOOX Music Round Up is a WIN for SA music. The Round Up shows Kabza De Small beating the likes of Drake and Justin Bieber to take the JOOX Artist Of The Year title.
In 2020, South African JOOX users streamed Kabza De Small more than any other artist on the planet. The artist had a whopping 10.1 million plays by over 321 000 listeners in the JOOX app, according to stats released. He beat Drake by over 600 000 plays, with the Toosie Slide superstar’s music played 8.5 million times by South Africans.
But speaking to JOOX, Kabza, known as The Piano King, remains humble. “For me, it’s not about beating anyone,” he says. “I’m very excited and happy that the fans really love the music. “Everything I do is in hopes that the fans appreciate the sound I’m bringing into the world,” adds the 28-year-old. “I make music with the intention of touching people’s lives in any shape, way or form.”
JOOX Song Of The Year
1. Malobola
2. Toosie Slide
3. Vula Vala
While hits like Lorch made waves across SA, Kabza’s hit Malobola that stole the show. The song, featuring Cassper Nyovest also beat Drake’s Toosie Slide to the JOOX Song Of The Year – a remarkable feat for the 28-year-old.
The song was also worked on by DJ Maphorisa, who placed third – with his track Vula Vala. “What inspires me the most is the people I surround myself with, the likes of DJ Maphorisa, my community and the music itself,” Kabza says. Known as the King of Amapiano, the Mpumalanga born DJ and producer eased the pain of lockdown for thousands as his smooth beats kept South Africans sane.
So what can fans expect in 2021? “Definitely more music,” says Kabza. “[Fans can expect] more music videos from my recent album I Am The King of Amapiano: Sweet & Dust.”
The JOOX Top 10 of 2020
The JOOX Top 10, which kicked off on social media last week, shows a massive feat for local music. A total of four South African artists featured on the Top 10 of 2020. The list was selected and ranked by artists’ South African listeners across the globe.
With Artist Of The Year, Kabza received congratulations from some of SA’s biggest personalities for claiming the number one spot. “It’s so beautiful to watch someone that’s so humble that really lets their work speak for them,” says award-winning Radio 2000 presenter Bongani Mtolo. “He doesn’t say much but is involved on almost every single hit in this country for the last year.”
While MTV award-winning artist Kyle Deutsch also sent his congratulations. “I want to say a huge congratulations for being the number one streamed artist worldwide for JOOX South Africa,” he said. “This is crazy and really an eye-opener for South African artists that we can be the best in the world. Keep rocking, bro.”
THE #JOOXOFSA2020 TOP 10
1. Kabza De Small
2. Drake
3. DJ Maphorisa
4. Blaq Diamond
5. Chris Brown
6. Beyonce
7. Nasty C
8. Justin Bieber
9. Rihanna
10. Ed Sheeran
