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Stimela

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Data updated on 2025-07-30 15:23:52 UTC
Stimela is a legendary South African afro-fusion band, established by the late self-taught guitarist Raymond (Ray) Phiri who is also the leader of the band since its formation in 1982. He used to dance to his troubadour father’s puppet shows and saved enough money to travel to Johannesburg and started his own band.

Phiri, along with Jabu Sibume on bass, Isaac Mtshali on drums and Lloyd Lelosa on keyboards were known as "The Cannibals". The group supplied instrumental accompaniment on recordings of other artists including The Mahotella Queens. They joined forces with vocalist Jacob "Mparanyana" Radabe in 1975, until his untimely death. In 1982, the band changed their name to Stimela, and further expanded with the addition of Thabelo Kgomo & Charlie Ndlovu on keyboards thus began a decade of gold and platinum selling albums.

Their sound has a strong RnB and Gospel influence, a popular fusion of incorporating rock, folk and dance music but that has a fundamental African style at its heart.

Genres

: afro soul afropop

Total plays

11.0 million
Updated on 2025-07-30

Monthly listeners

71,899

Followers

89,684

Top Cities

  1. South Africa
    Johannesburg
    22,731 listeners
  2. South Africa
    Pretoria
    17,971 listeners
  3. South Africa
    Durban
    8,008 listeners
  4. South Africa
    Cape Town
    6,138 listeners
  5. South Africa
    Gauteng
    4,462 listeners

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Most popular tracks

Track Plays Duration Release date
Phinda Mzala (Whispers in the Deep)
Phinda Mzala (Whispers in the Deep)
1,690,967 6:01 1986-01-06
Zwakala (Come to Me)
Zwakala (Come to Me)
1,489,363 5:46 1985-03-13
Where Did We Go Wrong?
Where Did We Go Wrong?
1,366,260 4:42 1986-07-11
Zwakala (Come to Me)
Zwakala (Come to Me)
1,070,179 4:07 2014-03-21
Go on (Living Your Life)
Go on (Living Your Life)
631,465 4:40 2000-10-16
See the World (Through the Eyes of a Child)
See the World (Through the Eyes of a Child)
378,282 3:59 1994-03-12
I Hate Telling a Lie
I Hate Telling a Lie
344,288 6:24 2000-10-16
Siyaya Phambili
Siyaya Phambili
328,079 4:40 2000-10-16
Fire Passion Ecstacy
Fire Passion Ecstacy
317,344 6:20 2000-10-16
Unfinsihed Story
Unfinsihed Story
315,899 6:30 2014-02-11
The Unfinished Story
The Unfinished Story
315,899 6:37 1987-08-24
Singa Jindi Majita
Singa Jindi Majita
277,744 4:47 1987-08-24
Sishovingolovane
Sishovingolovane
199,137 6:08 1986-01-06
Look, Listen and Decide
Look, Listen and Decide
192,009 9:29 1986-01-06
African Changes
African Changes
170,006 5:12 2000-10-16
I Love You
I Love You
148,540 6:47 1986-07-11
A Song Tells a Story
A Song Tells a Story
110,946 4:53 2000-10-16
Love Will Find a Way
Love Will Find a Way
95,819 3:45 1985-03-13
Take Me to the Top
Take Me to the Top
90,912 4:31 1992-05-25
Ndewu
Ndewu
86,783 4:32 2018-08-03
What's Going on (Trouble in the Land of Plenty)?
What's Going on (Trouble in the Land of Plenty)?
72,690 5:26 1989-07-31
Rubbing Sand in My Eyes
Rubbing Sand in My Eyes
52,605 4:05 1987-08-24
Don't Ask Why
Don't Ask Why
49,533 5:37 1994-03-12
Where Did We Go Wrong? (Live)
Where Did We Go Wrong? (Live)
47,167 4:48 1988-03-28
Who's Fooling You?
Who's Fooling You?
44,113 5:26 1986-01-06
You Will Know (The Condom Song) (Live)
You Will Know (The Condom Song) (Live)
38,856 16:15 2010-08-13
Madala Gugile
Madala Gugile
38,351 5:46 1996-01-01
Nkata Mgreeka (Danger Signs)
Nkata Mgreeka (Danger Signs)
37,484 4:36 1986-01-06
Soweto Save the Children
Soweto Save the Children
36,030 4:28 1987-08-24
Highland Drifter
Highland Drifter
33,212 8:58 1985-03-13
You're the One I Want
You're the One I Want
33,207 5:04 2008-10-24
The Unfinished Story (Live)
The Unfinished Story (Live)
32,940 8:09 2010-08-13
Phinda Mzala (Whispers in the Deep) (Live)
Phinda Mzala (Whispers in the Deep) (Live)
32,623 8:46 2010-08-13
Child of the Soil (Live)
Child of the Soil (Live)
28,108 4:12 1988-03-28
I Hate Telling a Lie (Live)
I Hate Telling a Lie (Live)
27,908 7:10 1988-03-28
Sishovingolovane (Live)
Sishovingolovane (Live)
27,511 7:51 1988-03-28
Shadows, Fear and Pain
Shadows, Fear and Pain
27,200 8:39 1985-03-13
Look, Listen and Decide (Live)
Look, Listen and Decide (Live)
24,173 7:46 1988-03-28
Sharp as a Razor
Sharp as a Razor
22,368 6:15 1989-07-31
Part to Play
Part to Play
22,295 4:39 1992-05-25
Highland Drifter (Live)
Highland Drifter (Live)
17,645 5:47 1981-11-21
Catch the Train
Catch the Train
17,269 4:37 2018-08-03
Zwakala (Interlude - Live)
Zwakala (Interlude - Live)
16,901 3:11 1988-03-28
Who's Fooling You? (Live)
Who's Fooling You? (Live)
16,818 2:07 1988-03-28
Mind Games
Mind Games
16,430 5:35 1984-08-27
Shaka Doo Ba
Shaka Doo Ba
16,163 4:34 1986-07-11
Time
Time
15,475 6:53 1987-08-24
A Song Tells a Story (Live)
A Song Tells a Story (Live)
15,441 5:52 2010-08-13
Umkhosi
Umkhosi
14,980 4:24 2018-08-03
Brother
Brother
14,434 4:41 2018-08-03
I Love You (Live)
I Love You (Live)
13,945 14:26 1988-03-28
Listen to Your Radio
Listen to Your Radio
13,817 5:05 1987-08-24
Mama Wami
Mama Wami
13,523 3:31 1982-08-30
Go on (Living Your Life) (Live)
Go on (Living Your Life) (Live)
13,390 5:16 2010-08-13
I Hate Telling a Lie
I Hate Telling a Lie
12,742 7:40 2000-05-08
Hate Telling a Lie
Hate Telling a Lie
12,742 7:40 1986-07-11
Who's Fooling You?
Who's Fooling You?
12,292 5:27 2008-10-24
Tears from the Sun
Tears from the Sun
12,232 5:15 2018-08-03
Ukelele
Ukelele
12,164 5:19 1996-01-01
See the World (Through the Eyes of a Child) (Live)
See the World (Through the Eyes of a Child) (Live)
12,111 5:22 2010-08-13
Fountains of Love
Fountains of Love
11,991 4:01 1994-03-12
Voices in the Air
Voices in the Air
11,661 5:05 1991-06-24
Dance with You
Dance with You
11,594 4:42 2018-08-03
Chains of Depression
Chains of Depression
11,500 2:30 1987-08-24
Siyaya Phambili (Live)
Siyaya Phambili (Live)
10,982 5:20 2010-08-13
Soweto Save the Children (Live)
Soweto Save the Children (Live)
10,968 6:25 1988-03-28
Khululani
Khululani
10,909 4:27 1992-05-25
Mngane Wami
Mngane Wami
10,870 5:26 2018-08-03
Zwakala (Come to Me) (Live)
Zwakala (Come to Me) (Live)
10,846 7:19 1981-11-21
Shelter
Shelter
10,482 4:22 2018-08-03
Try Me
Try Me
9,710 4:50 2018-08-03
Can't Spend Your Life Just Taking
Can't Spend Your Life Just Taking
9,699 4:56 1989-07-31
Father (Live)
Father (Live)
9,478 1:03 2010-08-13
African Changes (Live)
African Changes (Live)
9,457 7:10 2010-08-13
Singa Jindi Majita (Live)
Singa Jindi Majita (Live)
9,381 5:36 1981-11-21
A Little Blue
A Little Blue
9,060 4:08 2018-08-03
I Long to Return
I Long to Return
7,924 6:53 1989-07-31
Fire Passion Ecstacy (Live)
Fire Passion Ecstacy (Live)
7,919 6:54 2010-08-13
Fire Passion Ecstacy (Reprise)
Fire Passion Ecstacy (Reprise)
7,256 3:55 1984-08-27
Township Jive (Live)
Township Jive (Live)
7,113 4:12 1981-11-21
The Guys Are Doin' It
The Guys Are Doin' It
6,988 3:48 2008-10-24
Working for All
Working for All
6,870 5:23 1994-03-12
Ashes of Decay
Ashes of Decay
6,104 5:17 1987-08-24
Zantinti (Live)
Zantinti (Live)
6,040 3:17 2010-08-13
Bali Run (Live)
Bali Run (Live)
5,994 6:20 1992-05-25
Sea of Love (Follow Your Heart)
Sea of Love (Follow Your Heart)
5,507 6:47 1985-03-13
Shadows, Fear and Pain (Live)
Shadows, Fear and Pain (Live)
5,299 5:33 1981-11-21
The Beginning (Intro) (Live)
The Beginning (Intro) (Live)
5,003 2:08 2010-08-13
I See You
I See You
4,797 5:19 1994-03-12
I Long to Return (Live)
I Long to Return (Live)
4,726 7:03 2010-08-13
Out of the Ashes
Out of the Ashes
4,667 5:24 1996-01-01
Won't Wait, Don't Wait
Won't Wait, Don't Wait
4,509 5:23 1994-03-12
Ngithathe We Stimela (Don't Bang the Door)
Ngithathe We Stimela (Don't Bang the Door)
4,468 6:08 1989-07-31
Fire Passion Ecstacy
Fire Passion Ecstacy
4,464 5:47 1984-08-27
Phinda Mzala (Live)
Phinda Mzala (Live)
4,221 8:11 1981-11-21
Zwakala Emzansi (Live)
Zwakala Emzansi (Live)
3,679 4:30 2010-08-13
Freedom in South Africa (Are You Ready?) (Live)
Freedom in South Africa (Are You Ready?) (Live)
3,619 6:20 1993-09-13
Rubbing Sand in My Eyes (Live)
Rubbing Sand in My Eyes (Live)
3,464 5:12 2010-08-13
Fountains of Love (Live)
Fountains of Love (Live)
3,456 5:24 2010-08-13
Go on (Living Your Life)
Go on (Living Your Life)
3,366 4:11 1991-06-24
Mannenberg Interlude (Live)
Mannenberg Interlude (Live)
3,179 1:47 1993-09-13
Little Will (Live)
Little Will (Live)
3,176 4:42 1988-03-28
Don't Ask Why (Live)
Don't Ask Why (Live)
3,083 1:59 2010-08-13
African Changes
African Changes
2,756 5:50 1991-06-24
Sayibamba (Clear Your Conscience)
Sayibamba (Clear Your Conscience)
2,625 5:30 1989-07-31
Itheko - Party
Itheko - Party
2,597 5:15 1996-01-01
Siyaya Phambili
Siyaya Phambili
2,538 5:18 1991-06-24
Confusion
Confusion
2,502 4:20 1992-05-25
Song of Hope
Song of Hope
2,492 5:21 1992-05-25
Nyankwabe
Nyankwabe
2,267 4:57 1994-03-12
Unfinished Story
Unfinished Story
2,220 1:55 2021-08-12
Cause I Love You (Live)
Cause I Love You (Live)
2,049 9:43 1981-11-21
Right on Time
Right on Time
1,983 5:03 1984-08-27
The Beast
The Beast
1,868 5:52 1996-01-01
Nothing Matters
Nothing Matters
1,821 4:09 1992-05-25
Ulala
Ulala
1,625 5:43 1996-01-01
Fire Passion Ecstacy (Live)
Fire Passion Ecstacy (Live)
1,554 7:56 1981-11-21
Rhythms of Oneness
Rhythms of Oneness
1,442 4:56 1991-06-24
Uthando - Find Love
Uthando - Find Love
1,407 5:49 1996-01-01
Times Are a Changing
Times Are a Changing
1,407 6:46 1994-03-12
Lookey Lookey
Lookey Lookey
1,392 5:01 1996-01-01
Dream On
Dream On
1,263 5:40 1996-01-01
Go on (Living Your Life) (Live)
Go on (Living Your Life) (Live)
1,255 4:57 1993-09-13
I Wanna Know
I Wanna Know
1,241 5:45 1982-01-01
Forever - That's How Long
Forever - That's How Long
1,202 6:13 1996-01-01
Say Say No
Say Say No
1,178 3:51 1984-08-27
Life Is a War
Life Is a War
1,170 4:47 1991-06-24
People Keep Talking
People Keep Talking
1,148 5:53 1994-03-12
Cothoza
Cothoza
1,138 5:14 1996-01-01
(It's All Right) Bourgeois People
(It's All Right) Bourgeois People
1,107 6:24 1994-03-12
Colours and Shades
Colours and Shades
1,096 5:26 1992-05-25
Frankie
Frankie
1,025 5:17 1994-03-12
Come to Me - Zwakala
Come to Me - Zwakala
1,024 5:38 2018-02-16
Never Seem to Learn
Never Seem to Learn
1,017 4:17 1992-05-25
Mama Wengane Zami
Mama Wengane Zami
< 1000 3:26 1982-08-30
Ubungisaphi
Ubungisaphi
< 1000 3:28 1982-08-30
Mngane Wami
Mngane Wami
< 1000 3:43 1982-08-30
Mamkhize
Mamkhize
< 1000 3:27 1982-08-30
Kumnandi Masithandana
Kumnandi Masithandana
< 1000 3:27 1982-08-30
Umkami
Umkami
< 1000 3:26 1982-08-30
Sdudla
Sdudla
< 1000 3:25 1982-08-30
Jabulile
Jabulile
< 1000 3:27 1982-08-30
Umhlolo
Umhlolo
< 1000 3:32 1982-08-30
World of Fantasy
World of Fantasy
< 1000 4:59 1982-01-01
Thank You
Thank You
< 1000 4:28 1982-01-01
Walk Tall
Walk Tall
< 1000 5:46 1982-01-01
Down by the Riverside
Down by the Riverside
< 1000 4:29 1982-01-01
Stimela
Stimela
< 1000 4:42 1982-01-01
Farewell My Darling
Farewell My Darling
< 1000 4:06 1982-01-01
Give Me a Chance
Give Me a Chance
< 1000 4:23 1982-01-01
Tumefika
Tumefika
< 1000 4:05 2010-11-01
Tupendani
Tupendani
< 1000 5:00 2010-11-01
You're the One I Love
You're the One I Love
< 1000 6:38 1992-05-25
Look at Yourself
Look at Yourself
< 1000 4:20 1992-05-25
African Changes (Live)
African Changes (Live)
< 1000 5:13 1993-09-13
A Song Tells a Story (Live)
A Song Tells a Story (Live)
< 1000 5:53 1993-09-13
Zwakala (Come to Me) (Live)
Zwakala (Come to Me) (Live)
< 1000 7:34 1993-09-13
Siyaya Phambili (Live)
Siyaya Phambili (Live)
< 1000 6:38 1993-09-13
Phinda Mzala (Whispers in the Deep) (Live)
Phinda Mzala (Whispers in the Deep) (Live)
< 1000 8:41 1993-09-13
Highland Drifter (Live)
Highland Drifter (Live)
< 1000 12:32 1993-09-13
Singa Jindi Majita (Live)
Singa Jindi Majita (Live)
< 1000 5:21 1993-09-13
Fire Passion Ecstacy (Live)
Fire Passion Ecstacy (Live)
< 1000 6:32 1993-09-13
The Guys Are Doin' It
The Guys Are Doin' It
< 1000 4:20 1991-06-24
A Song Tells a Story
A Song Tells a Story
< 1000 6:18 1991-06-24
Where Did We Go Wrong?
Where Did We Go Wrong?
< 1000 4:38 1984-08-27

New releases

Unfinished Story
Unfinished Story
2021-08-12
[TS The Bunny]
Catch the Train
Catch the Train
2018-08-03
[Gallo Record Company]
Love Songs
Love Songs
2013-01-18
[Gallo Record Company]
Live in Concert 25 Years
Live in Concert 25 Years
2010-08-13
[Gallo Record Company]
Steam Tracks - The Best of, Vol. 2
Steam Tracks - The Best of, Vol. 2
2008-10-24
[Gallo Record Company]
Steam Tracks - The Best Of
Steam Tracks - The Best Of
2000-10-16
[Gallo Record Company]
Out of the Ashes
Out of the Ashes
1996-01-01
[The Music Industry CC]
Don't Ask Why
Don't Ask Why
1994-03-12
[Gallo Record Company]
Are You Ready? (Live)
Are You Ready? (Live)
1993-09-13
[Gallo Record Company]
Khululani
Khululani
1992-05-25
[Gallo Record Company]
Siyaya
Siyaya
1991-06-24
[The Gallo Record Company Vault]
Trouble in the Land of Plenty
Trouble in the Land of Plenty
1989-07-31
[Gallo Record Company]
The 1st Half (Live)
The 1st Half (Live)
1988-03-28
[Gallo Record Company]
The Unfinished Story
The Unfinished Story
1987-08-24
[Gallo Record Company]
Rewind
Rewind
1986-07-11
[Gallo Record Company]
Look, Listen and Decide
Look, Listen and Decide
1986-01-06
[Gallo Record Company]
Shadows, Fear and Pain
Shadows, Fear and Pain
1985-03-13
[Gallo Record Company]
Fire Passion Ecstacy
Fire Passion Ecstacy
1984-08-27
[Gallo Record Company]
Mama Wami
Mama Wami
1982-08-30
[Gallo Record Company]
The Cannibals
The Cannibals
1982-01-01
[Gallo Record Company]
The 2nd Half (Live)
The 2nd Half (Live)
1981-11-21
[Gallo Record Company]