Apple Music collaborates with icons in star-studded celebration of 30 Years of Freedom

Apple Music will also showcase inspired playlists from beacons of South African excellence which boast a carefully curated selection of songs that they feel have defined these last 30 years of freedom. These iconic individuals who are celebrating South African freedom through their playlists include Nomzamo Mbatha, Benny McCarthy, Connie Chiume, PJ Powers, Laduma Ngxokolo, Rich Mnisi, Melanie Bala, Arno Carstens, Sylvester Chauke, Brenda Mthambo, Musa Keys and Gregory Maqoma.

Each playlists features a selection of songs to mark the milestone and span across a number of different genres and generations. The legends opened up about what inspired their playlists and what freedom means to them.

“These songs take me back to my childhood memories, growing up in the Cape Flats. These were the songs that gave you hope and aspirations of one day making a difference in people's lives. It was all about making a success of your life and dreaming about becoming famous just like them. It was all about rising out of poverty and seemingly having no future or opportunity, to making a good life for yourself and your family.” - Benny McCarthy

“These songs are deeply nostalgic for me. I think of a time when it would be a Saturday morning and my father would be making breakfast, so the kitchen would be filled with the aroma of eggs, bacon and toast. Whilst the living room is fuming with Mr Min furniture spray. By the time both tasks are done there's the freshest breeze meandering through the house. It also reminds me of December summer days of Gqom hitting the speakers, where I’m grateful for the chance to live in a new renaissance of this country. They remind me that South Africa has always and will always create music that unifies and solidifies lifetime memories.” - Nomzamo Mbatha

“I have chosen these songs based on knowing exactly where I was and how I felt the first time I heard them. From the first time I heard Brenda [Fassie] sing Black President and the pride I felt, to the sadness in my heart when I heard Bright Blue’s Weeping. None of these songs, whether protest or simple love songs, in my opinion have dated or ever will.” - PJ Powers

“These songs take me back to different stages in my life, they are special because they are a great reference point for what I have lived through. The feeling is the same, even listening to them years after. The majority of these songs also speak of trials and celebrations that an everyday South African would go through. They have instilled hope in people and have encouraged them to keep going." - Laduma Ngxokolo

This playlist is about multiple generations of homegrown creativity, represented by predominantly three genres born and developed here: Kwaito, Amapiano and Gqom. It's made up of voices that built South Africa's musical legacy and birthed these descendant sounds, alongside the voices doing new things with the incredible legacy left to us.” - Rich Mnisi

Discover the all the 30 Years of Freedom playlists here:

Nomzamo Mbatha 30 Years of Freedom Apple Music Playlist
Laduma Ngxokolo 30 Years of Freedom Apple Music Playlist
Arno Carstens 30 Years of Freedom Apple Music Playlist
Musa Keys 30 Years of Freedom Apple Music Playlist
Benny McCarthy 30 Years of Freedom Apple Music Playlist
Melanie Bala 30 Years of Freedom Apple Music Playlist
Rich Mnisi 30 Years of Freedom Apple Music Playlist
PJ Powers 30 Years of Freedom Apple Music Playlist
Gregory Maqoma 30 Years of Freedom Apple Music Playlist
Brenda Mthambo 30 Years of Freedom Apple Music Playlist
Sylvester Chauke 30 Years of Freedom Apple Music Playlist
Connie Chiume 30 Years of Freedom Apple Music Playlist