A fresh sound from South Africa’s Limpopo Province is setting the rhythm for a new music wave
GOSEGO MOTSUMI
There’s a new beat bouncing its way into the hearts and playlists of Southern Africa. Its name? Lekompo.
Originating in South Africa’s Limpopo Province, this electrifying genre blends the pulsating heart of traditional African rhythms with the swagger of modern-day urban sound. With a tempo that begs for movement and vocals that cut across generations, the lekompo music genre has officially entered the building and the algorithm.
Street appeal
From trending TikTok challenges to viral Balcony Mixes, lekompo is carving out space not only as a sound but as a cultural movement.
For music lovers scrolling through TikTok or X (formerly Twitter), the Limpopo Lekompo Balcony Mix has likely already taken hold of their feed. The genre’s rise on digital platforms has been meteoric, feeding into its street appeal.
In taxis, backyard parties and late-night chill sessions, lekompo is fast becoming the go-to soundtrack for moments both loud and intimate. What sets lekompo apart is its unapologetic authenticity.
From provincial pulse to national buzz
With dynamic vocals and layered African beats, it’s a sound rooted in homegrown expression – unfiltered, energetic and fiercely authentic and proud. From the streets of Limpopo to the sand dunes of the Kgalagadi Desert in Botswana, the rhythm is contagious.
Veteran promoter Gilbert “PP” Seagile admits he’s watching the movement closely. “Amapiano is still dominating and evolving globally,” Seagile, who is the president of the Botswana Entertainment Promoters Association, noted in an interview.
“I am not so sure about lekompo as the next breakout genre. The thing is, we must separate TikTok hype from actual market traction.”
Pioneers and powerhouses
Even so, he acknowledges receiving multiple requests to bring lekompo artists to Botswana, especially to the Kgalagadi region. But Gaborone, the capital’s pulse, remains a mystery. “I need to know if the followers of lekompo have buying power,” he queried. “Otherwise, it risks being just another trend.”
Lekompo doesn’t seem to be riding its wave on hype alone. Its artist lineup is loaded with heavy-hitters, including the energetic Makhadzi whose name has become synonymous with genre-pushing anthems.
She stands as a pioneer, guiding this genre into the limelight. Joining her are the likes of Shandesh, Shebeshxt, Sgari Sa, Kharishma, and Original Sedi – each bringing their unique flavour to the ever-growing soundscape.
Han C co-signs the beat
Songs like Sdudla or Slender by Shandesh have already made their way into Botswana’s musical fabric.
One of the local top talents, Han C has already caught the lekompo fever. “The sound has improved,” he said in an interview. “My team plays it, I hear it on the street – it’s here.” His favourite? Sdudla by Shandesh. “What’s cool is I’ve actually worked with the producer. The beats are just infectious.”
While he’s cautious about calling it a global breakout just yet, Han C believes it has all the makings of a festive season anthem. “The release frequency is wild, and if it continues like this, it will own December,” he said.
“Internally, maybe it needs a bit more polishing. But creatively? I’m open to jumping on a lekompo track. A good beat is a good beat, and we Batswana just love good music regardless of the genre.”
While it may be too early to say how far it will go, lekompo seems to be more than a genre. It has the appearances of a movement borne of cultural preservation and a musical evolution.
Ready for the world stage
It brings Limpopo’s traditional sonic palette into the digital age, stitching together drums, chanting and storytelling with synths and swagger. It’s no surprise that listeners across borders are catching on.
Like amapiano before it, lekompo is proving that African sounds raw, rhythmic, unapologetically native and ready for the world stage.
And as Botswana’s youth hum along to the lyrics – recreating viral dances and disagreeing about the best Lekompo artist as they go – one thing is clear: Lekompo isn’t just knocking on the door – it is dancing right through it.