Bacardi is a local sound from Pretoria. It’s loud. It’s raw. And it’s made for dancing. This genre lives in street parties, car washes, and backyard gigs. It’s been around for years, but now more people are paying attention.
Bacardi has nothing to do with the drink. It’s a homegrown beat with roots in kasi life. It’s fast, percussive, and always on the move.
Where Bacardi Comes From
Bacardi started in Pretoria, mostly in townships like Mamelodi, Atteridgeville, and Soshanguve. Local producers built the sound from house music and kwaito. The name “Bacardi” came from the vibe — wild, loud, and fun like a weekend drink-up.
It began in the late 1990s and early 2000s. But the style was not played on big radio. It stayed underground for a long time.
The Sound of Bacardi
The music is fast. Most tracks hit between 140 and 150 BPM. The beats are built on rolling drums, claps, whistles, and minimal melodies. You hear sirens, cowbells, and sharp snares.
There’s not much singing. Instead, you get chants, shout-outs, and street phrases. The energy is raw. It’s about rhythm, not lyrics.
Where It Plays
Bacardi is made for parties. You’ll hear it at taverns, street corners, and car wash hangouts. In Pretoria, Bacardi sets the tone for social life.
It’s not music for radio. It’s music for sound systems, late nights, and loud speakers in the boot.
Who’s Behind Bacardi?
Many artists kept the genre alive when no one else cared. Names include:
- DJ Mujava – Known for “Township Funk,” he brought global attention to Pretoria’s style.
- Vusinator – A key name in linking Bacardi with newer amapiano sounds.
- Sgija Disciples – Mixing Bacardi with sgija and dance.
- Mpho Spizzy – Street-level rapper and Bacardi voice.
- DJ BlackLow – Keeps the core Bacardi style alive with hard-hitting sets.
Most Bacardi artists are independent. They use Facebook, YouTube, and street events to promote their work.
Bacardi vs. Amapiano
Amapiano is now the biggest genre in South Africa. But Bacardi has had a clear influence. Some call Bacardi the “older cousin” of piano.
Log drums, repetitive beats, and call-out vocals in piano can be traced back to Bacardi. Pretoria producers helped shape both styles.
Still, Bacardi is faster and rougher. It doesn’t aim for charts. It aims for the dance floor.
Dance and Street Style
Bacardi has its own dance moves. Fast footwork. Aggressive steps. Sometimes mixed with pantsula energy. Dancers often perform in groups at street events.
The fashion is also local. Over-sized T-shirts, bucket hats, and sneakers are common in the Bacardi scene.
2025: Bacardi Still Alive
In 2025, Bacardi is growing again. More DJs are playing it in mixed sets. Young people are adding rap and vocal samples to update the style.
TikTok and Instagram reels help Bacardi clips spread. The sound is raw, but that’s what makes it real.
Why It Matters
Bacardi is not just a sound. It’s part of Pretoria’s identity. It speaks for the youth, the street, and the weekend hustle.
It shows that you don’t need expensive gear to make music. Just rhythm, speakers, and a crowd ready to dance.
Words
Bacardi might never top the charts. But it’s never been about that. It’s about energy, freedom, and a beat that doesn’t stop.
If you want to know Pretoria — don’t just read about it. Hear Bacardi. Feel it in your chest. And dance.
Find new music that matches your taste Here.
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