A modern history of Johannesburg in 11 songs.
Johannesburg, an epicentre of South Africa’s diversity and multiculturalism, can be confusing and overwhelming for the first-time visitor. Everyone is different—we all sound, speak, and move differently. But there is one thing that binds us—the desire to be part of defining and making a world-class African city. Through the ages, music has remained the force that unites all of us, no matter who we are. Johannesburg is the biggest city in a nation of dancers. There is a reason the Gwara-Gwara dance move (as seen in Rihanna’s 2017 Grammys performance and Childish Gambino’s “This Is America” video) went international. And this is perhaps what best describes best describes Johannesburg—a culturally aware, world-class city. These are the songs that shaped Johannesburg.
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