As the world prepares to welcome the New Year, the entertainment industry buzzes with excitement, reflecting on the past year’s vibrant highlights and the booming music that kept Africa alive.
Central to this festive atmosphere is Spotify's recent launch of the ‘Detty December’ hub, a dedicated initiative showcasing the vibrant musical landscape of West and South Africa during this celebratory season.
The newly launched hub is a carefully curated playlist collection, designed to encapsulate the essence of the continent’s festive spirit.
From the rooftop lounges of Lagos to beach-side festivals in Accra, and the pulsating township grooves of South Africa, the hub is a musical homage to the rhythms that unite people during this unparalleled season.
Alongside the hub, Spotify has introduced a new playlist named ‘Songs of Detty December’.
This collection, hand-picked by Spotify Africa’s editors, features tracks anticipated to dominate the airwaves throughout the month.
The list showcases a variety of sounds, from the Afro Tech beats of DJ Skelm to the storytelling tunes from Flytime Fest, underlining the rich cultural tapestry of African music.
The hub also serves as a one-stop shop for everything festive, featuring an impressive line-up that captures the season’s most popular hits and emerging sounds.
Music enthusiasts can explore an array of genres, from vibrant Afrobeats and Amapiano anthems to laid-back melodies perfect for those much-needed post-festivity recovery days.
Phiona Okumu, head of Music at Spotify Sub-Saharan Africa, shared her enthusiasm about the hub, stating: “Detty December is a special time for our users in West Africa, and ke Dezemba symbolises South Africa’s spirit of celebration. We’re excited to be part of their celebrations with this dedicated hub and playlists, bringing them the best music to soundtrack their festive moments.”
This unapologetic season of street jams, back-to-back concerts, and endless summer fun has notably evolved into a vibrant cultural phenomenon, drawing both local fans and the African diaspora to partake in the revelry.
Further enhancing this experience, the platform announced its partnership with Jerk x Jollof, a major event making its inaugural entry into Africa through its Frequency programme. This initiative celebrates black artistry and creativity and promises to amplify the cultural connections between West and South African music.
The Jerk x Jollof Cape Town takeover is set to unfold at The Ostrich event space on New Year’s Day, featuring a stellar line-up of DJs and artists, including TxC, DBN Gogo, Spinall, Sarz, and Odeal. This exciting event aims to merge the vivacity of Detty December and ke Dezemba, creating a dynamic atmosphere fuelled by the shared cultures and artistic expressions of the two regions.
“We’re committed to supporting African music and culture. We believe that music is a powerful way to bring people together, and we’re excited to be part of the Detty December celebrations,” affirmed Okumu.
The Star