HOW TO MAKE A SUMMER HIT

Buhle Mweli

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November 29, 2013

We know the festive season has begun and everyone is looking for an excuse to have some clean fun. So we took a musical trip down memory lane to bring you our Top Ten Summer Hits – from artists who always make it a point to take advantage of the summer madness. If you are […]

If you are wondering how to come up with a summer banger of your own, a track that will have DJ’s mauled by the ladies for not pressing replay, and maybe one that will get you dubbed as the best cross-over artist in SA, listen up.

Number One: Don’t worry too much about the words of the song. As long as you have a catchy hook you can repeat; a story about a good time; or worse, a relationship, you’re good. Something like, Kwakumnandi Si-Jam-a (it was great, when we jammed). Repeat for four bars, and you already have 90% of the hit done.

Number Two: Now the beat needs to be on point. A nice bass helps, to allow people to dance to it.

Number Three: Speaking of which, the dance is the second most important element to this DIY construction of your track. Every December song has one. Make it simple. Simple enough for kids and old people to remember. If kids love it, they’ll put pressure on the parentals to buy it, and you’ll be sorted.

Number Four: Be strategic about when you release your track. For some odd reason, people spend exorbitant amounts of money during the festive season. On clothes, food, travel and – lucky for you and your completed track – music. Release your track in September. By the end of November everyone would have caught on and they’ll buy it beginning of December.

Number Five: Sit back and wait for the 31st December. At the stroke of midnight, on new years eve, all local radio stations will be pumping your jam, and all throughout January all you’ll be seeing are dollar (or should I say Randela) signs.

Learn from the best:

TKZee: Shibobo (1998)