Apple Music’s Visionary Women campaign aims to celebrate the powerful women across the Amapiano, dance, house, alternative, pop, and R&B scenes, who push and break boundaries within South Africa’s rich and varied musical landscape.
Now in its fourth year, Apple Music’s Visionary Women Collection will house the playlists of South Africa’s forward-thinking pioneers and disruptors, namely Boohle, Sha Sha, Pabi Cooper, Amy Lilley, Tyler Page, Emma Goode (Emerger), Nobuhle, Nana Atta, DESIREE, Nomfundo Moh, Sio and Rowlene who have selected their ultimate female anthems.
Here’s what a few of the selected artists had to share about womanhood in the business of music.
Boohle
“Amapiano has given me, and a lot of upcoming artists who were unknown, a chance to showcase our talents. Being one of the well-known Amapiano female vocalists gives me a chance to tell my story and share my experiences with people who may be going through the same thing as me. Amapiano is now a culture that is being spread to the world and we as the pioneers of the sound need to stand together and push it hard. I write songs that mean something to me and I always ensure I give it my level best.”
Sha Sha
“I am honoured and humbled to have made an impact within the Amapiano space which I experience daily by the love I get from people who connect to the music across the world. It is beautiful to see how our music is making an impact across oceans and I am excited to be part of this wave.”
Pabi Cooper
“I make music to change people’s lives. I curate every song to bring unity with no stereotypes. Amapiano has become the voice of the youth, a true expression of our reality and I am here to use my voice to tell the real stories.”
DESIREE
“The basis of electronic music is black. From the infectious beats that came out of Detroit to the unforgettable hypnotising grooves hailing from Chicago, house music and techno has inspired me from the first time I was able to enjoy music. As a South African, the emergence of tribal and Afro-house in the 2000s introduced me to a variation of this evergreen genre which has since taken over my life. My love for synthesisers combined with organic percussive elements has inspired me to educate audiences worldwide through my selections. This undying love of mine is also the core inspiration behind my debut offering, FEMME TECH, which is a gynocentric interpretation of the music that has carried me throughout my life. FEMME TECH is dedicated to all those who a minority which is a theme that is dear to my heart as an intersex woman.”
Rowlene
“Trusting the timing is the best thing you can do for yourself. Knowing your purpose and doing things from a good warm place will always allow you to create without attachment and that just embodies freedom of expression. My Apple Music Visionary Women playlist has couple songs from some of my favourite artists. I love music that makes me feel something and the lyrics hit me after and changes my perception even further – this playlist feels like my heart in a jar. ” — Rowlene
