Jerusalema

"Jerusalema" is a song by South African DJ and record producer Master KG featuring South African vocalist Nomcebo. The upbeat gospel-influenced gqom song was initially released on 29 November 2019 after it garnered positive response online, with a music video following on 21 December. It was later included on Master KG's second album of the same title, released in January 2020.[1] A single edit was released on streaming services on 10 July 2020,[2] after it went viral during mid-2020, garnering international reaction due to the #JerusalemaChallenge. A remix featuring Nigerian singer Burna Boy was released on 19 June 2020, propelling the song onto the US Billboard charts. It has since reached number one in Belgium, Netherlands, Romania and Switzerland, while peaking in the top ten of multiple other European countries. A second remix featuring Venezuelan singer Micro TDH and Colombian singer Greeicy was released on 17 September 2020.[3]

"Jerusalema"
Single by Master KG featuring Nomcebo
from the album Jerusalema
Language	Zulu
Released	29 November 2019
Recorded	2019
Genre	Gospel-gqom disco dance
Length	5:42 (album version) 3:08 (radio edit)
Label	Elektra France Warner France Open Mic
Songwriter(s)	Kgaogelo Moagi Nomcebo Zikode
Producer(s)	Master KG
Master KG singles chronology
"Remember" (2019) "Jerusalema" (2019) "My Love" (2020)
Nomcebo singles chronology
"Imizamo Yami" (2019) "Jerusalema" (2020) "Kobanini" (2020)
Burna Boy singles chronology
"Own It (Remix)" (2020) "Jerusalema (Remix)" (2020) "Wonderful" (2020)
Remix cover
Music video
"Jerusalema" on YouTube

Background

The song was recorded on 11 August 2019, and after being posted on social media, it received positive responses from fans. Master KG said he called "his sister Nomcebo to come so we can finish the song". The finished version was then uploaded to YouTube in October and officially released on 29 November.[4][5] It surpassed one million views in its first week.[4] The official music video was released on 21 December 2019.[6] After it went viral, the song was released to streaming services on 10 July by Elektra France and Warner France.[2] Upon its release, some deemed it a "tavern" song. Master KG stated: "Some call it tavern music, and I said, 'It's okay, wait and let me show what tavern music can do to the world'".[7] During late 2019, it had become a favourite in South African clubs.[8] Prior to the COVID-19 lockdown, Master KG had travelled to Portugal to promote his album, and said he put more emphasis on the song's dance during his shows.[9]

Composition

Although it has "religious-leaning" lyrics, "Jerusalema" is an upbeat[8] disco-house track[4][10][11] containing "deep", "spiritual",[12] gospel lyrics.[13][14] Lyrically, as noted by OkayAfrica's Rufaro Samanga, "it speaks about Jerusalem being the home of many religious believers". The remix sees Burna Boy incorporating his signature Afrobeats style,[8] singing part of his verse in isiZulu, while emphasizing the unity of African artists.[14]

Critical reception

Zkhiphani's Mandisa Ntsindee opined that the song "has reached heights no other South African song has ever in the past", calling Nomcebo a "powerhouse vocalist" and said "the South African music scene has been preparing for this exact kind of exposure with a song that is fiercely ours".[12] Music in Africa named it "without [a] doubt" one of the biggest South African house songs of 2020, with the magazine's Ano Shumba stating "Nomcebo has cemented her presence on the local house music scene".[11] Rufaro Samanga of OkayAfrica called the remix "a straight banger".[8]

Impact

Master KG's Spotify followers increased to over 1.2 million following the rising popularity of the song.[6] Various covers performed around the world with different instruments and sung in a variety languages have also been uploaded on YouTube, attracting their own popularity.[13][9]

Dance challenge

An accompanying dance challenge, attributed to a group of Angolan friends performing the choreography in a candid video,[9] helped the song go viral online.[15] The #JerusalemaChallenge, which has been compared to the Macarena,[16] spawned dance videos from many countries, including Israel, the Netherlands, Portugal, Italy, Romania, Spain, France, Jamaica, Canada and the United States.[17][6][13] In Germany, workers paid tribute to Berlin’s Tegel Airport by dancing to Jerusalema on the tarmac and in the now-shuttered terminal.[18][19]

Music video

The song's official music video was released onto YouTube on 21 December 2019.[6] By 27 August the video had passed 100 million views,[20] half a year later it passed already 300 million views, a rare feat for South African artists.[6]

Charts

Weekly charts Chart performance for "Jerusalema" (Remix) Chart (2020–2021) Peak position Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)[21] 2 Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)[22] 1 Belgium (Ultratop 50 Wallonia)[23] 1 Billboard Global 200[24] 38 Canadian Digital Songs (Billboard)[25] 9 Euro Digital Songs (Billboard)[26] 1 France (SNEP)[27] 2 Germany (Official German Charts)[28] 3 Hungary (Single Top 40)[29] 1 Italy (FIMI)[30] 2 Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[31] 1 Netherlands (Single Top 100)[32] 2 Nicaragua (Monitor Latino)[33] 10 Panama (Monitor Latino)[34] 17 Portugal (AFP)[35] 15 Romania (Airplay 100)[36] 1 Scotland (OCC)[37] 14 Slovakia (Rádio Top 100)[38] 15 Slovakia (Singles Digitál Top 100)[39] 64 South Africa (SAARF)[40] 1 Spain (PROMUSICAE)[41] 10 Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)[42] 31 Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[43] 1 UK Singles (OCC)[44] 55 US Hot Dance/Electronic Songs (Billboard)[45] 9 US World Digital Song Sales (Billboard)[46] 1

Year-end charts Year-end chart performance for "Jerusalema" (Remix) Chart (2020) Position Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)[47] 46 Belgium (Ultratop Flanders)[48] 11 Belgium (Ultratop Wallonia)[49] 5 Germany (Official German Charts)[50] 49 Italy (FIMI)[51] 11 Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[52] 12 Netherlands (Single Top 100)[53] 28 Romania (Airplay 100)[54] 45 Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[55] 7 US Hot Dance/Electronic Songs (Billboard)[56] 35

Certifications

Region	Certification	Certified units/sales
Belgium (BEA)[57]	Platinum	40,000
France (SNEP)[58]	Platinum	200,000
Italy (FIMI)[59]	2× Platinum	140,000
sales+streaming figures based on certification alone

See also

• List of Airplay 100 number ones of the 2020s

References

1. "Jerusalema by Master KG on Apple Music". Retrieved 26 July 2020 – via Apple Music.
2. "Jerusalema (feat. Nomcebo Zikode) [Edit] - Single by Master KG on Apple Music". Retrieved 26 July 2020 – via Apple Music.
3. "Jerusalema (feat. Micro TDH & Greeicy & Nomcebo Zikode) [Remix] - Single de Master KG". Retrieved 23 September 2020 – via Apple Music.
4. Baxter, Jenni (25 July 2020). "The South African Gospel Song That's Become A Global Hit: Jerusalema by Master KG Jenni BaxterJul 25, 2020". SA People. Retrieved 26 July 2020.
5. Legodi, Tlou (20 July 2020). "Master KG's song Jerusalema is taking the world by storm". 702. Retrieved 26 July 2020.
6. "Master KG's 'Jerusalema' reaches over 50m views on YouTube". IOL. 26 July 2020. Retrieved 26 July 2020.
7. Kekana, Chrizelda (20 July 2020). "Master KG's track continues to make waves globally". Times Live. Retrieved 26 July 2020.
8. Samanga, Rufaro (19 June 2020). "Listen to Master KG and Nomcebo's 'Jerusalema' Remix Featuring Burna Boy". OkayAfrica. Retrieved 26 July 2020.
9. "It reminds me of the 'Macarena' - Master KG on 'Jerusalema' going global". Times Live. 20 July 2020. Retrieved 26 July 2020.
10. Ngcobo, Nokuthula (18 July 2020). "WATCH: Master KG's Jerusalema is a hit in France and Romania". ECR. Retrieved 26 July 2020.
11. Shumba, Ano (9 July 2020). "Top SA house songs of 2020". Music in Africa. Retrieved 26 July 2020.
12. Ntsinde, Mandisa (July 2020). "WATCH: Master KG's Viral Single, "Jerusalema" & Its Spectacular Global Rise". Zkhiphani. Retrieved 26 July 2020.
13. Ngcobo, Nokuthula (26 July 2020). "WATCH: Nuns and priests dance to 'Jerusalema' by Master KG". ECR. Retrieved 26 July 2020.
14. Mavuso, Karabo (29 June 2020). "Master KG's Jerusalem gets 30 million views on YouTube!". News24. Retrieved 26 July 2020.
15. "SA artist's 'Jerusalema' song takes world by storm". CapeTownEtc. 21 July 2020. Retrieved 26 July 2020.
16. Jolly, Tamlyn (25 July 2020). "WATCH: Empangeni takes on Jerusalema dance challenge". Zululand Observer. Retrieved 26 July 2020.
17. "Jerusalema Challenge in Jerusalem!". www.youtube.com. Retrieved 6 December 2020.
18. "Flughafen Berlin TXL Jerusalem Abschied - YouTube". www.youtube.com. Retrieved 19 December 2020.
19. "Verabschieden Vom Flughafen TegelTXL Berlin ab 30/10/2020 - Meine Liebe Kolleginnen und Kollegen - YouTube". www.youtube.com. Retrieved 19 December 2020.
20. "Viral track Jerusalema hits 100 million views on YouTube". News24. 27 August 2020. Retrieved 5 September 2020.
21. "Austriancharts.at – Master KG feat. Burna Boy & Nomcebo Zikode – Jerusalema (Remix)" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved 13 January 2021.
22. "Ultratop.be – Master KG feat. Burna Boy & Nomcebo Zikode – Jerusalema (Remix)" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved 21 August 2020.
23. "Ultratop.be – Master KG feat. Burna Boy & Nomcebo Zikode – Jerusalema (Remix)" (in French). Ultratop 50. Retrieved 21 August 2020.
24. "Burna Boy Chart History (Global 200)". Billboard. Retrieved 26 January 2021.
25. "Burna Boy Chart History - Canadian Digital Songs". Billboard. Retrieved 14 September 2020.
26. "Burna Boy Chart History - Euro Digital Songs". Billboard. Retrieved 29 September 2020.
27. "Lescharts.com – Master KG feat. Burna Boy & Nomcebo Zikode – Jerusalema (Remix)" (in French). Les classement single. Retrieved 15 October 2020.
28. "Offiziellecharts.de – Master KG feat. Burna Boy & Nomcebo Zikode – Jerusalema (Remix)". GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved 8 January 2021.
29. "Archívum – Slágerlisták – MAHASZ" (in Hungarian). Single (track) Top 40 lista. Magyar Hanglemezkiadók Szövetsége. Retrieved 8 October 2020.
30. "Italiancharts.com – Master KG feat. Burna Boy & Nomcebo Zikode – Jerusalema (Remix)". Top Digital Download. Retrieved 15 October 2020.
31. "Nederlandse Top 40 – week 43, 2020" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40 Retrieved 23 October 2020.
32. "Dutchcharts.nl – Master KG feat. Burna Boy & Nomcebo Zikode – Jerusalema (Remix)" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved 2 October 2020.
33. "Top 20 Nicaragua – Del 2 al 8 de Noviembre, 2020" (in Spanish). Monitor Latino. Retrieved 9 December 2020.
34. "Top 20 Panamá – Del 5 al 11 de Octubre, 2020" (in Spanish). Monitor Latino. Retrieved 9 December 2020.
35. "Portuguesecharts.com – Master KG feat. Burna Boy & Nomcebo Zikode – Jerusalema (Remix)". AFP Top 100 Singles. Retrieved 18 September 2020.
36. Arvunescu, Victor (28 September 2020). "Top Airplay 100 - La vremuri noi, lideri noi, chiar şi în muzică!" [Top Airplay 100 – New times, new leaders, even in music!] (in Romanian). Un site de muzică. Retrieved 28 September 2020.
37. "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 16 October 2020.
38. "ČNS IFPI" (in Slovak). Hitparáda – Radio Top 100 Oficiálna. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: insert 20212 into search. Retrieved 18 January 2021.
39. "ČNS IFPI" (in Slovak). Hitparáda – Singles Digital Top 100 Oficiálna. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: Select SINGLES DIGITAL - TOP 100 and insert 20214 into search. Retrieved 1 February 2021.
40. "South Africa - Radio airplay chart". Radiomonitor. Archived from the original on 26 January 2020. Retrieved 26 January 2020.
41. "Top 100 Canciones: Semana 40". Productores de Música de España. Retrieved 7 October 2020.
42. "Veckolista Singlar, vecka 4". Sverigetopplistan. Retrieved 30 January 2021.
43. "Swisscharts.com – Master KG feat. Burna Boy & Nomcebo Zikode – Jerusalema (Remix)". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved 6 September 2020.
44. "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 23 October 2020.
45. "Burna Boy Chart History (Hot Dance/Electronic Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved 27 October 2020.
46. "Burna Boy Chart History - World Digital Songs Sales". Billboard. Retrieved 29 September 2020.
47. "Ö3 Austria Top40 Jahrescharts 2020". Ö3 Austria Top 40. Archived from the original on 31 December 2020. Retrieved 31 December 2020.
48. "Jaaroverzichten 2020". Ultratop. Retrieved 18 December 2020.
49. "Rapports Annuels 2020". Ultratop. Retrieved 18 December 2020.
50. "Top 100 Jahrescharts 2020". GfK Entertainment (in German). mtv.de. Retrieved 13 December 2020.
51. "Top Of The Music 2020: 'Persona' Di Marracash È L'album Piú Venduto" (Download the attachment and open the singles file) (in Italian). Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana. 7 January 2021. Retrieved 11 January 2021.
52. "Top 100-Jaaroverzicht van 2020" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved 28 December 2020.
53. "Jaaroverzichten – Single 2020" (in Dutch). MegaCharts. Retrieved 6 January 2021.
54. "Airplay 100 Topul Anului 2020" (in Romanian). Kiss FM. Archived from the original on 27 December 2020. Retrieved 28 December 2020.
55. "Schweizer Jahreshitparade 2020". hitparade.ch. Retrieved 28 December 2020.
56. "Hot Dance/Electronic Songs – Year-End 2020". Billboard. Retrieved 4 December 2020.
57. "Ultratop − Goud en Platina – singles 2020". Ultratop. Hung Medien. Retrieved 4 September 2020.
58. "French single certifications – Master KG feat. Burna Boy & Nomcebo Zikode – Jerusalema" (in French). Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique. Retrieved 19 August 2020.
59. "Italian single certifications – Master KG feat. Burna Boy & Nomcebo Zikode – Jerusalema" (in Italian). Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana. Retrieved 12 October 2020. Select "2020" in the "Anno" drop-down menu. Select "Jerusalema" in the "Filtra" field. Select "Singoli online" under "Sezione".

External links

• Official remix audio on YouTube