South African producer and genre-pushing DJ Thakzin was officially announced as the 2025 Spotify Southern Africa RADAR Artist at the annual Spotify Soundboard event. Known for defining and evolving South Africa’s distinctive 3-step electronic sound, Thakzin now joins an international line-up of breakout stars as part of Spotify’s global RADAR program, dedicated to supporting emerging artists poised for global impact.
AI in Music: Progress Meets People Power
But Soundboard wasn’t just about artist accolades. The event dove into pressing industry topics — most notably, the rapidly advancing role of artificial intelligence in music creation. Zimbabwean futurist and technologist Babusi Nyoni addressed both excitement and concern in the room:
“We’re not there yet with a good full end-to-end [AI music generation],”
he noted, highlighting that human creativity remains irreplaceable in the music-making process — at least for now.
Songwriting Still Sets the Stage
Also taking the spotlight was TRESOR, multi-award-winning artist and creative force behind global hits including tracks on Drake’s Honestly, Nevermind. In conversation with Michelle Atagana, Spotify Sub-Saharan Africa’s Head of Communications, he reminded audiences of the power of storytelling and songwriting:
“Songwriting is the heart of our industry,” he said, reflecting on his journey and the need for adaptability in an era of global music fusion.
Championing Diversity and Emerging Voices
Jodie Tabisher, Spotify’s Artist & Label Partnerships Manager, showcased Spotify’s commitment to amplifying underrepresented voices through initiatives like:
- GLOW (supporting LGBTQIA+ artists)
- EQUAL (elevating women creators)
- Fresh Finds (discovering emerging talent)
- Spotify Singles (unique artist reinterpretations)
These platforms are proving essential in reshaping the music landscape, making room for artists across genres, identities, and borders.
Amplify South Africa: Music as a National Asset
The morning kicked off with Amplify South Africa, a roundtable featuring industry leaders, government officials, and artists. Among them was Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture Gayton McKenzie, who boldly underscored the national value of music:
“South Africa’s music industry is not just entertainment; it is a national asset, a source of identity, economic growth, and global influence…
This is not charity. This is strategy.”
Spotify Africa Managing Director Jocelyne Muhutu-Remy echoed that sentiment, emphasizing the importance of data-driven collaboration in building sustainable creative careers.
Soundboard’s Mission: Shaping the Future of Music
At its core, Spotify Soundboard is about sparking meaningful conversations to propel the music industry forward.
“Amplify South Africa is at the heart of that,” said Muhutu-Remy.
“This year’s Soundboard brought together artists, policymakers, and creators to tackle the most urgent and exciting topics shaping music today — from AI’s growing influence to the enduring power of human connection.”
