Compared to the high-gloss Afrobeats and hiplife hits coming out of West Africa, house music producers down south tend towards a more subdued approach: In South African cities like Cape Town and Durban, smoldering, midtempo beats set the backdrop for ethereal R&B vocals and sultry-smooth synths. While house music has been a major draw in South Africa since kwaito first burst out of the Soweto township in the early ’90s, this playlist showcases a younger generation that has taken the sound to new horizons. DJ Maphorisa keeps a foothold in the global pop charts through collaborations with Drake and Wizkid, but he’s just as likely to return to the basics with intoxicating four-on-the-floor pacing and Afropop arrangements. As hitmaking producer Sun-El Musician conjures sublime moods and textures, the stunningly versatile Samthing Soweto goes straight to the heart with lyrics about work, love, and motherhood.