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Stimela

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Data updated on 2025-05-19 21:22:53 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

10.2 million
Updated on 2025-05-19

Monthly listeners

77,406

Followers

87,963

Top Cities

  1. South Africa
    Johannesburg
    26,881 listeners
  2. South Africa
    Pretoria
    18,269 listeners
  3. South Africa
    Durban
    8,652 listeners
  4. South Africa
    Cape Town
    6,991 listeners
  5. South Africa
    Gauteng
    3,692 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)
1,566,950 6:01 1986-01-06
Zwakala (Come to Me)
Zwakala (Come to Me)
1,371,239 5:46 1985-03-13
Where Did We Go Wrong?
Where Did We Go Wrong?
1,242,839 4:42 1986-07-11
Zwakala (Come to Me)
Zwakala (Come to Me)
989,749 4:07 2014-03-21
Go on (Living Your Life)
Go on (Living Your Life)
572,791 4:40 2000-10-16
See the World (Through the Eyes of a Child)
See the World (Through the Eyes of a Child)
358,045 3:59 1994-03-12
I Hate Telling a Lie
I Hate Telling a Lie
323,934 6:24 2000-10-16
Siyaya Phambili
Siyaya Phambili
300,808 4:40 2000-10-16
Fire Passion Ecstacy
Fire Passion Ecstacy
297,642 6:20 2000-10-16
Unfinsihed Story
Unfinsihed Story
288,301 6:30 2014-02-11
The Unfinished Story
The Unfinished Story
288,301 6:37 1987-08-24
Singa Jindi Majita
Singa Jindi Majita
253,477 4:47 1987-08-24
Sishovingolovane
Sishovingolovane
183,458 6:08 1986-01-06
Look, Listen and Decide
Look, Listen and Decide
175,012 9:29 1986-01-06
African Changes
African Changes
160,085 5:12 2000-10-16
I Love You
I Love You
146,331 6:47 1986-07-11
A Song Tells a Story
A Song Tells a Story
103,921 4:53 2000-10-16
Love Will Find a Way
Love Will Find a Way
90,575 3:45 1985-03-13
Take Me to the Top
Take Me to the Top
87,364 4:31 1992-05-25
Ndewu
Ndewu
82,184 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)?
69,574 5:26 1989-07-31
Rubbing Sand in My Eyes
Rubbing Sand in My Eyes
49,519 4:05 1987-08-24
Don't Ask Why
Don't Ask Why
48,335 5:37 1994-03-12
Where Did We Go Wrong? (Live)
Where Did We Go Wrong? (Live)
44,308 4:48 1988-03-28
Who's Fooling You?
Who's Fooling You?
37,833 5:26 1986-01-06
You Will Know (The Condom Song) (Live)
You Will Know (The Condom Song) (Live)
36,846 16:15 2010-08-13
Madala Gugile
Madala Gugile
36,500 5:46 1996-01-01
Nkata Mgreeka (Danger Signs)
Nkata Mgreeka (Danger Signs)
34,185 4:36 1986-01-06
You're the One I Want
You're the One I Want
32,860 5:04 2008-10-24
Soweto Save the Children
Soweto Save the Children
31,799 4:28 1987-08-24
Phinda Mzala (Whispers in the Deep) (Live)
Phinda Mzala (Whispers in the Deep) (Live)
31,521 8:46 2010-08-13
The Unfinished Story (Live)
The Unfinished Story (Live)
31,134 8:09 2010-08-13
Highland Drifter
Highland Drifter
30,149 8:58 1985-03-13
Shadows, Fear and Pain
Shadows, Fear and Pain
27,019 8:39 1985-03-13
I Hate Telling a Lie (Live)
I Hate Telling a Lie (Live)
24,405 7:10 1988-03-28
Sishovingolovane (Live)
Sishovingolovane (Live)
24,088 7:51 1988-03-28
Child of the Soil (Live)
Child of the Soil (Live)
23,375 4:12 1988-03-28
Part to Play
Part to Play
22,223 4:39 1992-05-25
Sharp as a Razor
Sharp as a Razor
22,056 6:15 1989-07-31
Look, Listen and Decide (Live)
Look, Listen and Decide (Live)
20,872 7:46 1988-03-28
Catch the Train
Catch the Train
17,054 4:37 2018-08-03
Highland Drifter (Live)
Highland Drifter (Live)
16,788 5:47 1981-11-21
Shaka Doo Ba
Shaka Doo Ba
16,009 4:34 1986-07-11
Mind Games
Mind Games
15,918 5:35 1984-08-27
A Song Tells a Story (Live)
A Song Tells a Story (Live)
14,896 5:52 2010-08-13
Umkhosi
Umkhosi
14,844 4:24 2018-08-03
Time
Time
14,766 6:53 1987-08-24
Who's Fooling You? (Live)
Who's Fooling You? (Live)
14,295 2:07 1988-03-28
Brother
Brother
14,271 4:41 2018-08-03
Zwakala (Interlude - Live)
Zwakala (Interlude - Live)
13,654 3:11 1988-03-28
Mama Wami
Mama Wami
13,447 3:31 1982-08-30
Listen to Your Radio
Listen to Your Radio
12,851 5:05 1987-08-24
I Hate Telling a Lie
I Hate Telling a Lie
12,459 7:40 2000-05-08
Hate Telling a Lie
Hate Telling a Lie
12,459 7:40 1986-07-11
Go on (Living Your Life) (Live)
Go on (Living Your Life) (Live)
12,379 5:16 2010-08-13
Who's Fooling You?
Who's Fooling You?
12,228 5:27 2008-10-24
Tears from the Sun
Tears from the Sun
12,149 5:15 2018-08-03
Ukelele
Ukelele
12,102 5:19 1996-01-01
I Love You (Live)
I Love You (Live)
11,664 14:26 1988-03-28
See the World (Through the Eyes of a Child) (Live)
See the World (Through the Eyes of a Child) (Live)
11,505 5:22 2010-08-13
Dance with You
Dance with You
11,502 4:42 2018-08-03
Voices in the Air
Voices in the Air
11,470 5:05 1991-06-24
Fountains of Love
Fountains of Love
11,267 4:01 1994-03-12
Chains of Depression
Chains of Depression
10,870 2:30 1987-08-24
Khululani
Khululani
10,795 4:27 1992-05-25
Mngane Wami
Mngane Wami
10,704 5:26 2018-08-03
Siyaya Phambili (Live)
Siyaya Phambili (Live)
10,671 5:20 2010-08-13
Zwakala (Come to Me) (Live)
Zwakala (Come to Me) (Live)
10,509 7:19 1981-11-21
Shelter
Shelter
10,410 4:22 2018-08-03
Try Me
Try Me
9,623 4:50 2018-08-03
Can't Spend Your Life Just Taking
Can't Spend Your Life Just Taking
9,472 4:56 1989-07-31
Singa Jindi Majita (Live)
Singa Jindi Majita (Live)
9,133 5:36 1981-11-21
Father (Live)
Father (Live)
9,126 1:03 2010-08-13
African Changes (Live)
African Changes (Live)
9,069 7:10 2010-08-13
Soweto Save the Children (Live)
Soweto Save the Children (Live)
9,067 6:25 1988-03-28
A Little Blue
A Little Blue
8,985 4:08 2018-08-03
I Long to Return
I Long to Return
7,636 6:53 1989-07-31
Fire Passion Ecstacy (Live)
Fire Passion Ecstacy (Live)
7,616 6:54 2010-08-13
Fire Passion Ecstacy (Reprise)
Fire Passion Ecstacy (Reprise)
7,093 3:55 1984-08-27
Township Jive (Live)
Township Jive (Live)
6,961 4:12 1981-11-21
The Guys Are Doin' It
The Guys Are Doin' It
6,956 3:48 2008-10-24
Working for All
Working for All
6,262 5:23 1994-03-12
Bali Run (Live)
Bali Run (Live)
5,907 6:20 1992-05-25
Zantinti (Live)
Zantinti (Live)
5,687 3:17 2010-08-13
Ashes of Decay
Ashes of Decay
5,656 5:17 1987-08-24
Shadows, Fear and Pain (Live)
Shadows, Fear and Pain (Live)
5,043 5:33 1981-11-21
Sea of Love (Follow Your Heart)
Sea of Love (Follow Your Heart)
4,992 6:47 1985-03-13
The Beginning (Intro) (Live)
The Beginning (Intro) (Live)
4,634 2:08 2010-08-13
Out of the Ashes
Out of the Ashes
4,594 5:24 1996-01-01
I Long to Return (Live)
I Long to Return (Live)
4,542 7:03 2010-08-13
I See You
I See You
4,349 5:19 1994-03-12
Hgithathe We Stimela (Don't Bang the Door)
Hgithathe We Stimela (Don't Bang the Door)
4,338 6:08 1989-07-31
Won't Wait, Don't Wait
Won't Wait, Don't Wait
4,093 5:23 1994-03-12
Phinda Mzala (Live)
Phinda Mzala (Live)
4,051 8:11 1981-11-21
Fire Passion Ecstacy
Fire Passion Ecstacy
3,651 5:47 1984-08-27
Freedom in South Africa (Are You Ready?) (Live)
Freedom in South Africa (Are You Ready?) (Live)
3,589 6:20 1993-09-13
Zwakala Emzansi (Live)
Zwakala Emzansi (Live)
3,547 4:30 2010-08-13
Rubbing Sand in My Eyes (Live)
Rubbing Sand in My Eyes (Live)
3,293 5:12 2010-08-13
Fountains of Love (Live)
Fountains of Love (Live)
3,285 5:24 2010-08-13
Don't Ask Why (Live)
Don't Ask Why (Live)
2,953 1:59 2010-08-13
Mannenberg Interlude (Live)
Mannenberg Interlude (Live)
2,887 1:47 1993-09-13
Little Will (Live)
Little Will (Live)
2,825 4:42 1988-03-28
Go on (Living Your Life)
Go on (Living Your Life)
2,679 4:11 1991-06-24
Sayibamba (Clear Your Conscience)
Sayibamba (Clear Your Conscience)
2,558 5:30 1989-07-31
Itheko - Party
Itheko - Party
2,557 5:15 1996-01-01
Song of Hope
Song of Hope
2,439 5:21 1992-05-25
African Changes
African Changes
2,432 5:50 1991-06-24
Confusion
Confusion
2,431 4:20 1992-05-25
Unfinished Story
Unfinished Story
2,203 1:55 2021-08-12
Siyaya Phambili
Siyaya Phambili
2,150 5:18 1991-06-24
Nyankwabe
Nyankwabe
2,126 4:57 1994-03-12
Cause I Love You (Live)
Cause I Love You (Live)
1,946 9:43 1981-11-21
Right on Time
Right on Time
1,919 5:03 1984-08-27
The Beast
The Beast
1,838 5:52 1996-01-01
Nothing Matters
Nothing Matters
1,750 4:09 1992-05-25
Ulala
Ulala
1,603 5:43 1996-01-01
Fire Passion Ecstacy (Live)
Fire Passion Ecstacy (Live)
1,462 7:56 1981-11-21
Uthando - Find Love
Uthando - Find Love
1,375 5:49 1996-01-01
Lookey Lookey
Lookey Lookey
1,372 5:01 1996-01-01
Rhythms of Oneness
Rhythms of Oneness
1,352 4:56 1991-06-24
Times Are a Changing
Times Are a Changing
1,311 6:46 1994-03-12
Dream On
Dream On
1,239 5:40 1996-01-01
Forever - That's How Long
Forever - That's How Long
1,181 6:13 1996-01-01
Go on (Living Your Life) (Live)
Go on (Living Your Life) (Live)
1,168 4:57 1993-09-13
Say Say No
Say Say No
1,134 3:51 1984-08-27
Cothoza
Cothoza
1,111 5:14 1996-01-01
I Wanna Know
I Wanna Know
1,108 5:45 1982-01-01
Life Is a War
Life Is a War
1,091 4:47 1991-06-24
Colours and Shades
Colours and Shades
1,067 5:26 1992-05-25
People Keep Talking
People Keep Talking
1,046 5:53 1994-03-12
(It's All Right) Bourgeois People
(It's All Right) Bourgeois People
1,014 6:24 1994-03-12
Come to Me - Zwakala
Come to Me - Zwakala
1,005 5:38 2018-02-16
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
Frankie
Frankie
< 1000 5:17 1994-03-12
You're the One I Love
You're the One I Love
< 1000 6:38 1992-05-25
Never Seem to Learn
Never Seem to Learn
< 1000 4:17 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]