"Jika" (Zulu: "Twist") is a song by South African

house A house is a single-unit residential building. It may range in complexity from a rudimentary hut to a complex structure of wood, masonry, concrete or other material, outfitted with plumbing, electrical, and heating, ventilation, and air c ...

band

Mi Casa Mi Casa is a house music, house trio based in Johannesburg, South Africa and consisting of three members, Dr. Duda (producer and pianist), J'Something (vocalist and guitarist), and Mo-T (trumpeter). The band was formed in early 2011 in Johanne ...

. It was released as the lead single from their second studio album, ''Su Casa'' (2013), and was the most played song for 12 straight weeks on several radio stations in South Africa, including

Metro FM Metro FM is a national commercial radio station in South Africa owned by the South African Broadcasting Corporation. The station broadcasts on FM Stereo as well as the DStv Bouquet Channel 801. Telephone : History The station started broad ...

, 5FM,

YFM YFM (99.2 FM) is a "Youth" radio station in Johannesburg, South Africa. Established in 1997, the station is formatted to mostly play urban music genres such as Kwaito, Hip Hop Hip-hop or hip hop (originally disco rap) is a popular m ...

Ukhozi FM Ukhozi FM is a South African national radio station & owned by SABC, based in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal that caters to the needs of the Zulu-speaking community. Founded in 1960, it is the largest radio station in South Africa and Africa (by listen ...

, and

Gagasi 99.5 FM Gagasi FM (previously P4 99.5 FM or P4 Radio Durban) is a radio station broadcasting in Durban and surrounding areas in KwaZulu Natal, South Africa, specialising in R&B, Afro pop, hip hop, house and kwaito. it had a listenership of approximatel ...

. "Jika" peaked at number one on

BBC Radio 1Xtra BBC Radio 1Xtra is a British digital radio station owned and operated by the BBC. It broadcasts Black music and urban music, including hip hop and R&B and is a sister station to Radio 1. Launching at 18:00 on 16 August 2002, it had been ...

, a digital radio station in the United Kingdom, and topped the MTV Base Official SA Top 10 chart for the week of 31 October through 6 November 2013. Moreover, it peaked at number one on Trace TV's 30 Urban Hits.

Background and recording

J Something, the band's vocalist, told Showbiz.co.za that charting on BBC Radio 1Xtra was unreal.

Live performances

Mi Casa performed "Jika" during their tour of several African countries, including Kenya, Swaziland, Angola, Botswana, Lesotho, Tanzania, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, Uganda, and Zimbabwe. In September 2013, they performed the song to celebrate Cape Town International Conventional Centre's 10th birthday. On 6 April 2014, the band performed the song at the Durban Botanic Gardens.

Critical reception

"Jika" received positive reviews from

music critics Music journalism (or music criticism) is media criticism and reporting about music topics, including popular music, classical music, and traditional music. Journalists began writing about music in the eighteenth century, providing commentary on ...

. A writer for the website Tunez.co.za called the track "melodious and catchy" and said its production is "rhythmic, engaging and creative". The website Red Flag said "Jika" "brings the playful Mi Casa style to life" and commended the song's dance routine. South Africa's edition of ''

Rolling Stone ''Rolling Stone'' is an American monthly magazine that focuses on music, politics, and popular culture. It was founded in San Francisco, California, in 1967 by Jann Wenner and the music critic Ralph J. Gleason. The magazine was first known fo ...

'' magazine described "Jika" as a "delightfully feelgood fable about keeping it real to get the girl of your dreams."

Accolades

"Jika" was nominated for Song of the Year at the 2014 Metro FM Music Awards. It was also nominated for Song of the Year at the 2014 MTV Africa Music Awards. Moreover, the song was nominated for Remix of the Year at the 20th Annual SAMAs.

Track listing

*Digital download #"Jika" - 4:46 #"Jika" (Radio Edit) - 3:46 *The Remixes #"Jika" (Infinite Boys Urban Mix) - 6:36 #"Jika" (Calvin Fallo Deep Jazzy Mix) - 5:38 #"Jika" (

Chymamusique Collen Mmotla (born 4 June 1990) is a South African DJ and music producer. Born and raised Diphale, Burgersfort, Chyma started his musical career in early 2000's as a pianist prior becoming a DJ. His third studio album ''Musique'' (2022), deb ...

Drum Remix) - 6:45

Charts and certifications

Weekly charts

References

{{authority control 2013 songs 2013 singles South African songs South African Airplay Chart number-one singles