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1Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches2Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors3Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute“Jerusalema,” by South African DJ and producer Master KG featuring vocalist Nomcebo Zikode, became a global dance phenomenon as COVID-19 lockdowns were keeping people apart. Its rise was not simply a lockdown story: the song’s South African musical character and an easy-to-share group dance helped carry it across borders.
What is the Jerusalema challenge?
It is a group line dance performed to “Jerusalema,” a track Spotify identifies as Limpopo house, with South African gospel and pop influences. The challenge turned the song into a participatory format: people filmed themselves dancing and shared their versions online.
The track appeared on Spotify in November 2019. It is by Master KG and features Nomcebo Zikode, whose vocals give the song its distinctive center. Spotify’s account of the song’s rise connects its appeal to both its local musical identity and the way its rhythm and dance could be shared by groups.
Where did the dance challenge begin?
The early viral form came from Phenomenos do Semba, a group of Angolan teenagers whose line-dance video appeared in late February 2020. In the clip, they danced while carrying plates of food. Spotify and the European Commission’s CORDIS service identify the group with the challenge’s early viral moment.
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The format was easy to recognize and imitate, which helped people and organizations make their own videos. The dance travelled well because participants could join in as a group without needing a complicated production or a single official version.
Why did “Jerusalema” spread during lockdown?
The timing gave the challenge particular resonance. As lockdowns restricted everyday movement and social contact, dancing together for a video offered a shared activity people could attempt within the limits of the moment. Spotify Africa partnerships head Phiona Okumu described a widespread desire for escape during lockdown; that is a contemporary interpretation of the song’s appeal, not proof that restrictions alone caused its success.
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Other elements mattered too: a memorable song rooted in South African musical styles, choreography that groups could adapt, and the social pleasure of making and sharing a performance. The challenge let people participate in a common cultural moment even when many were physically separated.
How big was the song’s reach?
Contemporary reports show how quickly the song gained visibility, but the numbers below are historical snapshots rather than current totals.
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| Measure | Reported figure and date |
|---|---|
| YouTube views | More than 50 million views, reported by SAnews.gov.za on 28 July 2020. |
| Spotify streams | Spotify reported more than 60 million streams as of 24 September 2020, according to The Guardian. |
| Spotify stream growth | Spotify reported a 48,000% increase in streams from November 2019 to October 2020. |
| Spotify chart positions | Spotify said the song reached number one in South Africa, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Portugal, Romania, Belgium, Switzerland and Spain during September 2020. |
The platform measures describe different things and cover different dates; they should not be combined into a present-day audience count.
How did South Africa respond?
The challenge became a point of national pride as well as a viral dance. On Heritage Day, 24 September 2020, President Cyril Ramaphosa invited South Africans to take part, linking the moment to the country’s heritage during the pandemic. Arts and culture minister Nathi Mthethwa also praised the artists for bringing South Africa to global attention through song and dance.
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Did the Burna Boy remix start the challenge?
No. Spotify reports that a remix featuring Burna Boy and Nomcebo Zikode arrived in June 2020, after the Angolan group’s video had already helped launch the challenge’s viral spread. The remix renewed attention to the song, but it did not originate the dance phenomenon.
What should video-makers know about music rights?
Using a song in an online video can raise rights questions, and the rules depend on both jurisdiction and platform. SUISA, a Swiss music rights organization, published guidance about videos using “Jerusalema” in 2021. That is dated, Switzerland-specific information—not universal or current legal advice. Check the rules that apply where you are and on the platform you use.
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