The Zulu people are an ethnic group from South Africa. Many Zulu musicians have played an important role in South African music, greatly influencing the music industry. Several music styles that come from Zulu folk traditions are well known throughout South Africa and other countries. Zulu music is a major part of many music types in South Africa, including house music, folk music, acapella, choral music, and gospel. In fact, some of the most popular songs in South Africa are sung in the Zulu language, called isiZulu.

Mbube and Isicathamiya

" Mbube " is a song first recorded in 1939 by Solomon Linda and also a type of South African popular music inspired by the song. The song was sung in a traditional Zulu group singing style. It caught the attention of American music expert Alan Lomax, who shared it with Pete Seeger, a member of The Weavers. The Weavers made the song a Top 15 hit in the United States in 1952, but Solomon Linda was not credited as the creator. Later, The Kingston Trio performed a version of the song. Then, The Tokens changed the song's name to "The Lion Sleeps Tonight," and it became a number one hit in the United States. In 1960, a group called Ladysmith Black Mambazo, based in Durban and founded by Joseph Shabalala, performed music in the mbube tradition, including a style called isicathamiya.

Mbaqanga

Mbaqanga is a lively South African music style that began in the early 1960s and is also called “township jive.” Its name comes from Zulu and means “everyday cornmeal porridge,” showing its importance to urban Black South Africans. It was created in informal places called shebeens, especially in areas like Sophiatown and Soweto. Soon, it became a popular form of music for Black people living in cities across South Africa and nearby countries. Even though other music styles later became popular, Mbaqanga is still important in modern South African music and continues to influence artists and be heard at cultural events.

Maskandi

Maskanda (or Maskandi) is a type of Zulu folk music that changes as South African society changes. Ethekwini Online describes it as "the music played by a traveling person, a modern minstrel, or today’s troubadour. It is the music of someone who walks long distances to ask for a bride’s hand in marriage or to meet with a leader. It serves as a way to travel. It is the music of someone who sings about their real-life experiences, their daily happiness and sadness, and what they see happening around them. It is the music of someone who feels the Zulu blues."

Kwaito

Kwaito is a type of music that started in Johannesburg, South Africa, in the 1980s. It is a type of house music that uses African sounds and samples. Kwaito usually has a slower beat than other house music styles. It often includes catchy melodies, rhythmic sounds, deep bass, and singing. Even though Kwaito is similar to hip hop music, it has a unique way of singing, rapping, and shouting the lyrics. American producer Diplo called Kwaito "slowed-down garage music." It is most popular among young Black people in South Africa. There are different types of Kwaito, such as Durban kwaito and future kwaito.

Kasi rap

Kasi rap, mainly using isiZulu and isiXhosa for singing, focused on topics like overcoming challenges, family relationships, and hopes for a better future. Pro (formerly Pro Kid) had an important role in this music style. Driemanskap became a well-known group in this movement, along with other artists such as Maxhoseni, Kanyi, Red Button, Manelisi, and Deep Soweto.

Gqom

Gqom is a type of music that began about 10 years ago in the 2000s in the city of Durban, KwaZulu Natal, South Africa. This music style uses bouncy and deep beats created with software like FL Studio. It has become popular in London. The word "gqom," which can also be written as qgom, igqom, gqomu, or similar forms, comes from sounds in the Zulu language that mimic the clicking of a drum being hit. People in the music industry who helped spread and promote this new sound included South African rapper Okmalumkoolkat, Italian record label owner Nan Kole, Afrotainment record label owner DJ Tira, event organizer Cherish LaLa Mankai, and others. Other artists connected to gqom include DJ Lag, DJ Bongz, Lord The Dj, MasterT, Dj Noffoh, Dj Nkaa, Rudeboyz, Distruction Boyz, and AudioBoyz.

Gqom trap, a mix of gqom and trap music, was created in the 2010s by the Durban hip hop group Witness The Funk.

African Trap Music (ATM)

African Trap Music, or ATM, became a type of trap music in 2015. It started with Emtee's popular song "Roll Up." Important artists in ATM include Emtee, Sjava, and Saudi. Other artists like Sims, Ranks, Just G, and producer Ruff also helped develop the music. African Trap Music mixes trap music styles with sounds from South Africa. The songs talk about topics like love, survival, success, and family. They are inspired by South African music styles. Most of the lyrics are sung in South African languages, especially IsiZulu.

Amapiano

Amapiano, a word from the isiZulu language that means "the pianos," is a type of house music from South Africa. It began in the mid-2010s and combines elements of deep house, gqom, jazz, and lounge music. This style of music uses synthesizer sounds and wide, rhythmic basslines. Musicians linked to Amapiano include Kabza de Small, DJ Sumbody, Mpura, Kamo Mphela, and Focalistic. Music packs used in Amapiano often include sounds taken from gqom music.