South African Popular Music
Ratings/reviews counts are updated frequently.
Check link for latest rating. ( 16 ratings, 8 reviews)Read More
Found a better price? Request a price match
South African Popular Music
Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?
Latest News
The Book Briefing 21/10/2026
Welcome back to another edition of 'The Book Briefing', your weekly round-up of all the...
Story to Screen - 21/10/26
It's been another huge week in the world of book-to-screen adaptations! From record-breaking trailers and...
Things We Learned from an Evening with Alice Oseman
Liam and Lizzy went along to an evening with Alice Oseman of Heartstopper! Here are...
The Book Hero Team's Wins and Misses in Film and TV Adaptations
We all love arguing in a mostly good-natured way about which adaptations of our favourite...
Vanya Insull (aka VJ Cooks) visits Book Hero
We were lucky to have a visit from popular foodie, home cook and baker Vanya...
See moreFrom the storied ache of mbube harmonies of the ‘40s to the electronic boom of kwaito and the amapiano and house explosion of the ‘00s, South African Popular Music explores vignettes taken from across South Africa’s popular music history.
There are moments in time where music can be a mighty weapon in the fight for freedom. Disguised in a danceable hook or shouted for the world to hear, artists have used songs to deliver important truths and bring listeners together in the face of a segregated reality.
In the grip of the brutal apartheid era, South Africa crafted its own idiosyncratic popular musical vernacular that operated both as a sociopolitical tool and realm of escape. In a country with 11 official languages, music had the power to unite South Africans in protest.
Artists bloomed a new idyll from the branches of countless storied musical traditions, and in turn found themselves banned or exiled—the profound epiphany that music can exist both within the pleasure of itself and for serving a far greater purpose.
Series: Genre: A 33 1/3 Series
View allBook Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?
Praised as "your next great music read," Phillips highlights how music unified South Africa during political turmoil and apartheid. Consequence of Sound applauds the exploration of music’s unifying power, while Radio New Zealand calls it a beautiful addition to the 33 1/3 Genre series.
Book Details
INFORMATION
ISBN: 9781501383427
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing Plc
Format: Paperback / softback
Date Published: 04 May 2023
Country: United States
Imprint: Bloomsbury Academic
Audience: Professional and scholarly
DIMENSIONS
Spine width: 12.0mm
Width: 126.0mm
Height: 198.0mm
Weight: 220g
Pages: 192
About the Author
Lior Phillips is a South African music and culture journalist originally from Cape Town, now based in Chicago, USA. She writes about music, film, art, and more for international publications, including Dazed and Confused Magazine, The Recording Academy, Variety, Billboard, Rolling Stone, Pitchfork, The Quietus, NPR, The Guardian, Consequence of Sound, and GQ South Africa. In addition, she is the creator, producer, and host of This Must Be the Gig, a podcast dedicated to artists’ vital memories of their first gigs and passion for live music and performance.
Also by Lior Phillips
View allMore from Arts & Culture
View allWhy buy from us?
Book Hero is not a chain store or big box retailer. We're an independent 100% NZ-owned business on a mission to help more Kiwis rediscover a love of books and reading!
Service & Delivery
Our warehouse in Auckland holds over 100,000 books, toys, board games and puzzles in-stock so you're not waiting for your order to arrive from overseas.
Auckland Bookstore
We're primarily an online store, but for your convenience you can pick up your order for free from our bookstore, which is right next door to our warehouse in Hobsonville.
Our Gifting Service
Books make wonderful thoughtful gifts and we're here to help with gift-wrapping and cards. We can even send your gift directly to your loved one.
Arts & Culture lists from the team
Explore our curated lists from our heroes to find your next read!


















