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- Apple Music, is celebrating Women’s Month in South Africa with the launch of the second year of its Visionary Women campaign with playlists from the country’s leading female artists, influencers and personalities.
- Included on 2020's diverse list are the likes of Mihlali Ndamase, Loot Love, Sarah Langa, and Elaine.
- All these women have curated music playlists inspired by artists who've shaped their taste in music and also serve as the soundtracks to their lives today.
The Apple Music Visionary Women campaign turns the spotlight on 15 phenomenal Mzansi women, including musicians Elaine, Nadia Nakai, Boity and Sha Sha – fresh from her BET Award win.
These artists along with prominent influencers and personalities including Blood & Water stars Ama Qamata and Natasha Thahane along with Nandi Madida who appears on Black is King, have created playlists of their favourite female musicians and vocalists that have influenced and inspired them.
READ MORE: The 18 designers featured in Beyoncé's Black is King visual album everyone should know
The campaign aims to highlight the women that have shaped, shifted and enriched the local and global music landscape.
Let's meet the early music influences of the now influential...
Ama Qamata
Mood? 4Eva. Yes, expect hits from Beyoncé to Lebo Mathosa to Tiwa Savage.
“I grew up listening to R&B so these songs are a mixture of some good classics and some new music from my absolute favs!!! I listen to them mostly to boost my confidence or just to celebrate female artists that are absolutely killing the game right now. Hope you all enjoy!”
Listen to Ama's playlist here.
Bernice West
Mood: Soulful and brooding, featuring the likes of Etta James, Adele, and Billie Eilish.
“These are the woman that pushed the boundaries of being a versatile woman since the 1960s,” she tells Apple Music. “I’m thankful for them leaving their mark in more than just this industry, so that I and many other women like me can be free to do what we love.”
Listen to Bernice's playlist here.
Boity
Mood: A vibey soulful mix of artists, including Anita Baker, Tracy Chapman, TLC and Babes Wodumo.
“These are the queens that raised me, cheered and motivated me through my toughest days, celebrated some of my memorable milestones with me and inspired me daily.”
Listen to Boity's playlist here.
Christia Visser
Mood: Expect Lorde, Lady Gaga, and Regina Spektor.
“Each of these female artists inspire me, all for different reasons,” she tells Apple Music. “The Passion in her voice, the honesty of her lyrics, her fearless approach to being different…whatever it might be, I thank them for the mark that they have left on me.”
Listen to Christia's playlist here.
Elaine
Mood: Musical influences include faith Evans, Lauryn Hill, and Mary J. Blige.
“In celebration of Women’s Day, I have put together a playlist of women whom I not only grew up listening to, but young women in music too, who I love and respect. Listening to their music makes me feel powerful, inspired, beautiful and reassures me that I am capable of achieving anything and everything.”
Listen to Elaine's playlist here.
READ MORE: As a role model who's failed forward, Zozibini Tunzi wants women to start confronting their fears
Kefilwe Mabote
Mood: Break a sweat in your lounge to the sounds of Simmy, Kabza De Small x DJ Maphorisa, and Lady Zamar.
“A playlist showcasing the phenomenal female artists I listen to everyday. With an array of both local and international music, this playlist speaks to the core of who I am. A light-hearted and fun playlist to get my hips moving and me humming away. I love it’s diversity, it’s tempo and rhythmic beats which sure gets one dancing. As a lover of Afrobeats, house music and Amapiano, this playlist resonates with my personality!”
Listen to Kefi's playlist here.
Holly Rey
Mood: You'll have no other choice but to dance as Lizzo, Boom Shaka and and Yemi Alade blast through your speakers.
“These songs are all by badass women who make me feel like a badass woman who can take on the world. All these incredible female artists have influenced my music and what I represent as a female artist in some way. These are songs that I personally listen to to get myself ready to take on my days with confidence and power, song that make me feel empowered. We are women and WE ARE POWERFUL!”
Listen to Holly's tunes here.
Kim Jayde
Mood: Nostalgia from the likes of the Spice Girls, Missy Elliot, and Nelly Furtdao.
“A full-on girl power playlist that spans from Tracy Chapman and Whitney Houston to local South African Queens like Shekhinah, Rouge and Nomuzi. This playlist is uplifting and empowering and will make you wanna sing out loud! To all my sisters – wear your crown proudly!”
Listen to Kim's music here.
Loot Love
Mood: Perfect for a December road trip as Culoe de Song, Sun-El Musician, and Revolution add colour to your views.
“Women are multi-faceted, complex and divine beings. When you put their vocals on a song, they take you on an unimaginable journey. I wanted to put together a house playlist, that reminds me of home, Port Elizabeth: where I grew up around the most intelligent, powerful and divine women. I hope this playlists takes you on a beautiful & emotional journey that can only be explained by the powerful female voices on all of my favourite house tracks. Power to the female voice.”
Listen to Loot's tunes here.
Mihlali Ndamase
Mood: For fans of the new school cool - from Megan Thee Stallion to Summer Walker to Snoh Aalegra.
“The music chosen above is true representation of my taste in music, and my ability to appreciate the various genres offerings by women. I’ve included a number of black women who inspire, because for as long as we can remember black women have been silenced. It’s inspiring to see black women succeed in their respective fields, through their art they’re able to empower young black women.”
Listen to Mihlali's playlist here.
READ MORE: At the start of Women's Month we celebrate these 8 local pioneers who've opened doors for us
Nadia Nakai
Mood: Not exactly what you blast out the windows of your 4-door Audi, but perfect for a cosy Sunday indoors.
“The women I chose for my playlist range from music I grew up listening to like India Arie, Erykah Badu and Tracy Chapman to the fierce women I listen to today like Saweetie, Megan Thee Stallion and Snoh Aalegra. They’ve shaped my personality and confidence and have been the soundtrack to many monumental moments in my life, like a first kiss, first date or first cry and heartbreak…”
Listen to Nadia's picks here.
Nandi Madida
Mood: Expect to step into your power with this mix of enduring artists including Beyonce, Janet Jackson, and Donna Summer.
“This playlist was inspired by how versatile, dynamic and strong women truly are, and how I’m inspired by different women from all walks of life. We need to celebrate how colourful we are as a gender and that we can conquer anything by being uniquely and unapologetically ourselves”.
Listen to Nandi's playlist here.
Natasha Thahane
Mood: Feeling smitten? With tracks by Elaine, Tamia, and Destiny's Child, this is the song selection for you.
“I chose the playlist because it shows different seasons in one’s life. There’s a song for all moods and experiences from breakups to success to inspiring to motivating self. Being a visionary woman is about narrating your own story. Telling it your way and passing it on to the generations that will come after you.”
Listen to Natasha's playlist here.
Sarah Langa
Mood: Feel uplifted, thanks to Solange, NAO, Rihanna, and Chloe x Halle.
“Dedicating this playlist to all the women who are drowning... For women, by women. We dance in the fire, rise to the beat, our ashes turn everything into gold”
Listen to Sarah's song selection here.
Sha Sha
Mood: When you're in your feels, but you're also willing to dance it out.
“Some remind me when I went through a heartbreak, others serve the purpose to uplift me when I am generally down. You will also find some good stuff which works well when I am partying with the girls,” she tells Apple Music. “All in all, these are all beautiful songs from beautiful and powerful women.”
Listen to Sha Sha's tunes here.
Compiled by Afika Jadezweni
Additional information and images provided by Apple Music.
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