Apple Music today announced that South Africa will launch a local version of its global emerging artist program Up Next. Rising producer, rapper, and musician Blxckie will be the first artist to be featured in South Africa’s local Up Next program, Apple Music’s artist initiative geared towards identifying and showcasing rising talent!
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Sihle Sithole, also known as Blxckie, is a 21-year-old musical artist from Durban, South Africa. He is known for using his soothing melodic voice over a variety of different beats to create fresh new sounds. And might we add, that he produces a majority of the beats that he jumps on. His sound is described as a melodic trap with an edge, coupled with boisterous raps. He has worked with the likes of LeoDa Leo, Yuang, 808 Sallie, and LucasRaps to name a few.
“Up Next South Africa? Yo! In my short journey in this industry, I have learned that supporters and fans are EVERYTHING! This is amazing for a young artist, and I’m so honored to be the first Up Next South Africa artist! Masihambeni!” – Blxckie.
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Blxckie’s latest single ‘Stripes’ featuring Flvme is featured on Apple Music’s Mzansi Hip-Hop, African Hip-Hop, Africa Rising, and The Plug playlists.
As the newest Up Next artist to be spotlighted in South Africa, Blxckie will be featured across Apple Music’s South African Up Next playlist [HERE]. The curated Up Next playlist features a dynamic class of new and emerging artists, thoughtfully hand-picked by Apple Music editors from around the world. The playlist is genre-agnostic and represents a line-up of artists our global editors are passionate about and eager to expose to a larger audience.
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The vast global Up Next roster of past talent includes Grammy-nominated and critically lauded talent like 6lack, Daniel Caesar, H.E.R., Greta Van Fleet, Khalid, Amy Shark, Billie Eilish, Sabrina Claudio, Sigrid, Mr. Eazi, Stefflon Don, Bad Bunny, Juice WLRD, Bazzi, Jax Jones, NCT 127, Summer Walker, Tierra Whack, Dean Lewis, Pink Sweat$, Koffee, Megan Thee Stallion, Burna Boy, Clairo, Lunay, Jessie Reyez, Orville Peck, Victoria Monét, Ingrid Andress, Conan Gray, Don Toliver, Rema, BENEE, Holly Humberstone, Natanael Cano, Givēon, beabadoobee, Arlo Parks and Tate McRae.
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For a limited time, new customers to Apple Music on iOS and Android in South Africa and Nigeria can enjoy all of this great content with 6 months of free Apple Music through the Shazam app. Returning customers get 3 months of free Apple Music.
MGOSI.co.za