Thakzin Named Southern Africa's 2025 RADAR Artist At Spotify Soundboard Event

At Spotify’s Soundboard event, genre-bending producer and  DJ Thakzin was unveiled as the 2025 Spotify Southern Africa RADAR Artist. Known for shaping the country’s vibrant electronic 3-step sound, Thakzin joins a global roster of rising stars backed by RADAR — Spotify’s program championing emerging artists on the cusp of international recognition.

AI is evolving — but people power still leads the way

This year’s Soundboard also sparked essential dialogue around AI’s role in music. Zimbabwean technologist Babusi Nyoni addressed the crowd’s curiosity and concern, acknowledging the tech’s rapid growth while reminding us: “We’re not there yet with a good full end-to-end [AI music generation].”

Why songwriting still sets the tone

In conversation with Michelle Atagana, Head of Communications for Spotify Sub-Saharan Africa, multi-award-winning artist TRESOR spotlighted songwriting’s cultural and emotional impact. “The heart of our industry,” he called it — sharing his creative journey, including work on Drake’s Honestly, Nevermind, and how global collaboration demands agility and openness from today’s artists.

Supporting creators across every identity and genre

Spotify’s Artist & Label Partnerships Manager, Jodie Tabisher, highlighted initiatives designed to uplift diverse voices — from Glow (LGBTQIA+ artists) and EQUAL (women creators), to Fresh Finds (emerging talent) and Spotify Singles (creative reinterpretations).

Earlier in the day, “Amplify South Africa” — a roundtable featuring industry leaders, government representatives and artists — explored the future of the country’s music scene. Spotify Africa MD Jocelyne Muhutu-Remy emphasized collaboration as a key to elevating local sound globally. The roundtable opened with remarks from the Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture Gayton McKenzie, who said

“South Africa’s music industry is not just entertainment; it is a national asset, a source of identity, economic growth, and global influence. Our sound travels, our stories matter, and our talents deserve the world stage. At the National Department of Sport, Arts and Culture, we are not spectators; we are builders. We welcome partners like Spotify who champion diversity and create legitimate pathways for artists to earn a living from their work. Together, we are turning data into policy, passion into careers, and local dreams into global realities. This is not charity. This is strategy. Let us amplify South Africa with purpose, with pride, and with power.”

Soundboard’s mission: fuel the future

“Spotify Soundboard is about sparking the right conversations to move the industry forward — and 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.”