1980s Archives

The 1980's saw a significant growth in the ever evolving South African music scene with an array of new artists and bands flourishing like never before. Bubblegum Music An unadulterated style of South African pop music, Bubblegum was uniquely based on vocals with overlapping call-and-response lyrics combined with the use of electronic keyboards and synthesizers. The first major bubblegum star was Dan Tshanda of the band Splash, followed closely in popularity by Chicco Twala whose claim to fame was his politically oriented lyrics and a collaboration with the famed Mzwakhe Mbuli. During the late 1980’s Yvonne Chaka Chaka rose to stardom with her 1984 hit ‘I’m in Love With a DJ’ being the first major bubblegum hit. Her popularity continued well into the 1990’s with her first n...

Pop music during the 1980s reflects the ‘me first’ generation. The top 10 solo artists from the 80s garnered about 12% more most-requested songs on the top 50 charts for each year during the 1980s than scored by the top singers during the previous decade. In contrast, musical groups in the 1980s account for 20% fewer top 50 hits than during the 1970s. Even the most successful bands of the 80s were arguably driven by big name individual stars like Bono from U2 and Jon Bon Jovi. Among others, Steve Perry left Journey for a solo career as did Miami Sound Machine’s Gloria Estefan. Consolidating Pop Culture Madness data for the 50 most requested songs from 1980 to 1989, the lists below show the most requested bands and solo artists from that era. Top 10 Pop Music Groups The b...

Tag: 1980s

Evolution of South African music: The 1980’s

Most Popular Pop Music Groups, Singers, Hit Songs of ’80s