Deezer the beats that summed up 2020 in South Africa

Deezer reveals the local and global musical sounds of the year

● Kabza De Small tops the list as the most streamed artist overall in South Africa.

● Elaine claims the #1 spot for most streamed album.

Johannesburg, 1 December 2020:
What does your taste in music say about you? If you’ve listened to the likes of The Weeknd and Tones and I this year – you may be surprised to discover that your kindred musical twin is a cat. Say what? Yes, it’s true. Not only did we analyse all the tunes that got us through the year, but we also wanted to find out what our listening habits revealed about us.

Global audio streaming service, Deezer looked into the top sounds of 2020 around the world.

Top album: In Mzansi, R&B songstress Elaine reigned supreme with ‘Elements’ topping album streams overall.

Kabza De Small was also a local favourite with three of his albums ranking amongst South Africa’s top 10 most streamed albums.

Outside of home, The Weeknd took the no.1 spot for most played international album of 2020 with ‘After Hours.’

In order to help you find all the sounds of 2020 in one place, our editors have also created a special ‘Best of 2020’ channel. Here you’ll find all the top streamed tunes, and artists of the year. You’ll also find personal playlists from our editors that define what 2020 meant for each of them.

Don’t forget that #MyDeezerYear is back. Log into your account on your mobile device and you’ll be able to see your personal top charts to see what you listened to the most. You can head to the mobile app to find all the tunes and artists that you’ve had on repeat in 2020. Send to your friends in shareable cards, while also revealing your ‘Animal Rhythm’.

All streaming data can be found below

Top 10 artists (overall) in South Africa
• Kabza De Small

• Drake

• DJ Maphorisa

• Billie Eilish

• The Weeknd

• Ed Sheeran

• Eminem

• Beyoncé

• Joyous Celebration

• Chris Brown

Top 10 local artists in South Africa
• Kabza De Small

• DJ Maphorisa

• Joyous Celebration

• Spoegwolf

• Elaine

• Nasty C

• Appel

• Ami Faku

• Snotkop

• Elandre

Top 10 tracks (overall) in South Africa
• Dance Monkey – Tones and I

• Blinding Lights – The Weeknd

• You’re the One – Elaine

• Memories – Maroon 5

• Roses (Imanbek Remix) – SAINt JHN

• Don’t Start Now – Dua Lipa

• Someone You Loved – Lewis Capaldi

• everything i wanted – Billie Eilish

• The Box – Roddy Ricch

• Circles – Post Malone

Top 10 local tracks in South Africa
• You’re the One – Elaine

• Jerusalema – Master KG

• eMcimbini – DJ Maphorisa, Kabza De Small

• Lorch – Kabza De Small, DJ Maphorisa

• Risky – Elaine

• Umlilo – DJ Zinhle

• Into Ingawe – Ami Faku, Sun-El Musician

• Xola Moya Wam’ – Nomcebo Zikode

• Tender Love – Sha Sha

• Love You Tonight – MFR Souls

Top 10 albums (overall) in South Africa
• Elements – Elaine

• After Hours – The Weeknd

• WHEN WE ALL FALL ASLEEP, WHERE DO WE GO? – Billie Eilish

• I Am The King Of Amapiano: Sweet & Dust – Kabza De Small

• Please Excuse Me For Being Antisocial – Roddy Ricch

• Shoot For The Stars Aim For The Moon – Pop Smoke

• The Return Of The Scorpion Kings – DJ Maphorisa, Kabza De Small

• Music To Be Murdered By – Eminem

• Scorpion Kings Live – DJ Maphorisa, Kabza De Small

• Hollywood’s Bleeding – Post Malone

Top 10 local albums in South Africa
• Elements – Elaine

• I Am The King Of Amapiano: Sweet & Dust – Kabza De Small

• The Return Of The Scorpion Kings – DJ Maphorisa, Kabza De Small

• Scorpion Kings Live – DJ Maphorisa, Kabza De Small

• Country – Demi Lee Moore

• Umuthi – Blaq Diamond

• Spiritual Encounter – Bucy Radebe

• Koma – Spoegwolf

• See – Spoegwolf

• Isphithiphithi – Samthing Soweto

Top 10 global artists
• J Balvin

• The Weeknd

• Bad Bunny

• Dua Lipa

• Billie Eilish

• Lady Gaga

• Anitta

• Eminem

• Ed Sheeran

• Ariana Grande

Top 10 global tracks
• Dance Monkey – Tones and I

• Blinding Lights – The Weeknd

• Roses (Imanbek Remix) – SAINt JHN

• Don’t Start Now – Dua Lipa

• Tusa – Karol G, Nicki Minaj

• Ride It – Regard

• The Box – Roddy Ricch

• bad guy – Billie Eilish

• RITMO (Bad Boys For Life) – Black Eyed Peas, J Balvin

• Say So – Doja Cat

Top 10 global albums
• After Hours – The Weeknd

• WHEN WE ALL FALL ASLEEP, WHERE DO WE GO? – Billie Eilish

• The Kids Are Coming – Tones and I

• Shoot For The Stars Aim For The Moon – Pop Smoke

• Please Excuse Me For Being Antisocial – Roddy Ricch

• Hot Pink – Doja Cat

• Fine Line – Harry Styles

• Future Nostalgia – Dua Lipa

• Chromatica – Lady Gaga

• Music To Be Murdered By – Eminem

About Deezer
Deezer connects 16 million monthly active users around the world to 56 million tracks. Available in over 180 countries worldwide, Deezer gives instant access to one of the largest and most diverse global music streaming catalog on any device. Deezer is the only music streaming service with Flow, the unique mix of all your old favourites and new recommendations in one ever-changing stream. Based on an intuitive, proprietary algorithm and created by people who love music, it’s the only place to hear all your music back-to-back with fresh discoveries tailored to you. Deezer is available on your favourite device, including smartphone, tablet, PC, laptop, home sound system, connected car or smart TV.

Deezer is a privately held company, headquartered in Paris with offices in São Paulo, Berlin, London, Miami and around the world. Deezer is available as a free download for iPhone, iPad, Android, and Windows devices or on the web at deezer.com.