As we count down the weeks until we must usher in the New Year. The country’s perennial question has become, “What is the song that will break in the New Year?” In the past, songs like Fetch Your Life by Prince Kaybee, featuring Msaki, or DJ Zinhle and DJ Mvzzle’s Umlilo, featuring Rethabile were front runners in ushering in the New Year.
However, the past two years seem to be a different ball game altogether. Especially, last year when there was not a clear winner in this regard. As such, depending on where you broke in the New Year, the Song of the Year was different.
Last year, South Africa’s largest radio station, Ukhozi FM, was chastised for their choice of song to ring in the New Year. The isiZulu-based radio station has become a landmark in terms of confirming the appropriate song to ring in the new year.
However, when they decided to ring in the New Year with DJ Hlo’s Isibani winning Song of the Year 2021, listeners and the general public were left wondering whether the votes or a “brown envelope” were at work.
DJ Hlo has since denied these charges. However, it appears that Ukhozi FM may fall into the same trap again this year, following the release of its Top 10 Song of the Year contenders.
Taking to Twitter, recently, Ukhozi FM shared their list of the top 10 songs which the public can vote for as the single that they want to play when it is time to usher in the New Year.
https://twitter.com/ukhozi_fm/status/1600067532001398784?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1600067532001398784%7Ctwgr%5E7d2f88edb7d4f18057f0bef4696fb3c4d22b1eec%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fzalebs.com%2Fdrama%2Fukhozi-fms-top-ten-songs-of-the-year-already-being-dragged
@ukhozi_fm 2022 song of the year competition process is a sham. Nominations window was short (last week of Nov) & not well advertise. 4 the whole month of December it’s voting 4 unknown songs the station itself hasn’t played much. Deserving songs were excluded by a poor process🤷🏿♂️
— busani ngcaweni (@busani_ngcaweni) December 14, 2022
@sbongi1 didn't I say that dj hlo's song was not suppose to win song of the year for ukhozi fm for the Year 2021? Didn't I say that the Amasiblings thando lwami song should of won song of the year for 2021 for ukhozi fm. So Ukhozi Fm manipulated the top 10 songs for 2021? pic.twitter.com/qDplV75m9e
— Khetha (@Khetha27154512) December 16, 2022
Moreover, considering that the two most prominent songs on the list happen to be K.O’s SETE, featuring Young Stunna and Blxckie, and DJ Maphorisa and Visca’s Ba Straata. Listeners and tweeps are worried that despite the assumption that K.O will take the title, Ukhozi might just pull another “DJ Hlo saga” and surprise everyone.
https://twitter.com/Solphendukaa/status/1602600904427012098?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1602600904427012098%7Ctwgr%5E7d2f88edb7d4f18057f0bef4696fb3c4d22b1eec%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fzalebs.com%2Fdrama%2Fukhozi-fms-top-ten-songs-of-the-year-already-being-dragged
Dj Hlo seeing this tweet https://t.co/wibFgF6jC6 pic.twitter.com/M3k5OEjZCa
— last born (@uMambulazi) December 21, 2022
dj hlo already has an envelope ready.
— ً (@itsmanjobruh) December 22, 2022
https://twitter.com/KellyZenande/status/1605653869538594816?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1605653869538594816%7Ctwgr%5E7d2f88edb7d4f18057f0bef4696fb3c4d22b1eec%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fzalebs.com%2Fdrama%2Fukhozi-fms-top-ten-songs-of-the-year-already-being-dragged
But DJ Hlo has dismissed claims of inappropriate actions in order to have her song win Song of the Year 2021. As reported earlier this month following her continued social media bullying , Hlosiwe “DJ Hlo” Mthalane penned a message to her fans stating in part:
“I would like to thank Ukhozi FM for the top 10 songs that compete for the Song of the Year title. I received many local and international gigs because of the platform, but I would like people to know that the comments they make about me on social media, since my win, contain abuse. I am also human and all the hurt goes to my heart.”