"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 ...

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

Metro FM Metro FM is a national 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 broadcasting in ...

5FM 5FM is a South African FM radio station that follows a Top 40 music format and is owned by the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC), South Africa's public broadcaster. SABC announced the appointment of Mr. JD Mostert as Business Mana ...

, YFM,

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 ...

, Highveld Studio, 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 music, Afro pop, hip hop, house music, house and kwaito. it had a ...

. It peaked at number 1 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. The song also peaked at number 1 on MTV Base's Official SA Top 10 chart for the week of 31 October through 6 November 2013. Moreover, it peaked at number 1 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

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

Critical reception

"Jika" received mostly positive reviews from music critics. A writer for Tunez.co.za said, "the track is very melodious and catchy which I believe made it excel commercially. The production is rhythmic, engaging and creative which achieves an exciting atmosphere (especially when the volume is turned up)." Red Flag said the song "brings the playful Mi Casa style to life with this sexy dance track that has already spawned a dance style of its own. The Jika dance has been seen becoming an audience participation favourite and bringing power to live shows." An unnamed writer for ''

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. It was first known for its co ...

'' SA 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 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