Two decades after its release, Lebo Mathosa’s I Love Music is proving that a great South African dance anthem never really goes out of style. Now, multi-award-winning artist Shekhinah is introducing the iconic track to a new generation with a fresh reinterpretation for Spotify Singles.
The release marks five years of Spotify’s EQUAL programme, which champions women in music across markets including South Africa.
Also see: Somizi reflects on a special moment with the late Lebo Mathosa
A song that keeps growing
Originally released in 2006, I Love Music has amassed more than 1.8 million global Spotify streams, with 88% coming from South Africa. It also features on more than 70,000 user-generated playlists worldwide.
Its popularity has continued to build rather than simply relying on nostalgia. Since gaining significant streaming traction in South Africa in 2018, the song has recorded an approximate 95% compound annual growth rate over seven years. It is also on pace for another strong year in 2026.
The track’s appeal spans generations, with listeners aged 35–44 forming the largest streaming group, followed by those aged 18–24 and 30–34. Gen Z, older millennials and Gen X are all part of its audience.
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Gauteng leads the love
Johannesburg is at the centre of I Love Music’s South African streaming story, recording more than 700,000 all-time streams.
Cities across Gauteng—including Pretoria, Centurion and Midrand—collectively account for more than 75% of the track’s streams nationally.
Shekhinah’s reinterpretation now adds a contemporary perspective to that legacy, connecting two generations of South African music while celebrating Mathosa’s enduring influence.
As Spotify’s Jodie Tabisher puts it, great South African music “evolves, gets rediscovered and finds new listeners.” Shekhinah’s version suggests I Love Music may be ready to do exactly that again.
Click here to listen to Shekhinah’s version of I Love Music.
Also see: Thembi Seete remembers Lebo Mathosa in heartfelt post
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