Mzansi Gets Its First Music Vibe-Check: SA Chart Pulse Tracks Culture, Not Just Streams

In a digital world where hits explode on TikTok, climb Spotify playlists, trend on YouTube, and sneak into our Shazam history — traditional music charts are no longer telling the full story. South Africa’s music landscape has been craving a more accurate reflection of what’s really shaping the sound of now.

Enter SA Chart Pulse, the country’s first true cultural chart created by culture agency CSA Global. This groundbreaking weekly ranking doesn’t just count streams — it tracks the music that moves South Africans, wherever they are and however they listen.

Powered by a proprietary Pulse Score, SA Chart Pulse aggregates data from platforms like Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube, Shazam, Deezer, and South African radio. Each week, it delivers a unified, real-time look at which tracks are truly connecting across the country.

“The way people engage with music has changed, the charts haven’t. Today’s fan might Shazam a track in a club, add it to their Spotify playlist, watch the video on YouTube the next day, and hear it again on the radio on their way home. SA Chart Pulse captures that entire journey and highlights emerging trends.”

says Davin Phillips, Executive Director and Partner at CSA Global

How It Works

Every Friday, SA Chart Pulse assigns each track a Pulse Score based on real-time performance across multiple platforms. The result? A chart that doesn’t just reflect popularity, but cultural resonance — revealing the artists and songs gaining serious momentum across the board.

More than just a music ranking, SA Chart Pulse is a vital tool for labels, marketers, talent agents, creators, media, and music fans. It spotlights breakout artists, emerging genres, and platform-spanning influence, making it the most comprehensive music metric in the country.

For over a decade, CSA Global has been at the forefront of pop culture and talent marketing in Africa — connecting streaming, radio, digital engagement, and live experiences through campaigns for some of the continent’s biggest stars and brands.

SA Chart Pulse builds on this legacy, merging entertainment strategy, data, and cultural insight into a one-of-a-kind resource designed for today’s cross-platform world.

“It’s not just a top 10. It’s a culture barometer, built to track who’s shaping the sound of now,”.

adds Phillips

The music charts have finally caught up with the culture.

Visit CSA Global to follow the chart updates and get a real sense of what’s vibing across Mzansi — not just in numbers, but in real-life impact.