"Jozi" Soundtrack Lyrics

"JOZI – Original Soundtrack (2010)" – Album Guide to Tracks and Key Scenes

Overview

First, a date fix: Jozi opened in South Africa on 26 February 2010 (not 2011). The soundtrack landed alongside the release as JOZI – Original Soundtrack, a 11-track compilation of South African artists leaning indie-rock, alt-pop, and urban grooves. It plays like a postcard of Joburg’s scene circa 2010: aKING, Desmond & the Tutus, MXO, Laurie Levine, Gang of Instrumentals, the Black Hotels, and more.

The film’s original score is by Warrick Sony (a.k.a. Kalahari Surfers). The compilation album (issued by Next Music) focuses on songs used in and around the film, with the Black Hotels’ “Shapes and Kings” singled out in local press as the de facto theme. The disc runs ~42 minutes and surfaced on retail/streaming with consistent sequencing.

Questions & Answers

What year and label?

2010; released commercially with Next Music (Pty) noted on streaming credits.

Who composed the film’s score?

Warrick Sony (Kalahari Surfers) is credited with original music.

What’s actually on the album?

11 songs by South African artists including Howard Roark (“You Got the Moves”), aKING (“Know Your Bones”), Laurie Levine (“Kites”), Desmond & the Tutus (“Kiss You on the Cheek”), MXO (“Sista Kunjani”), Gang of Instrumentals (“Oh Yeah”, “Woza December”), The Black Hotels (“Shapes and Kings”), and others.

Is “Shapes and Kings” really the theme?

Contemporary reviews called it the movie’s theme “as such”—and the track appears on the album.

Was there a physical release?

Yes—CD editions were sold locally; catalog entries and barcode listings exist on discography databases.

When did the film open?

26 February 2010 in South Africa.

Notes & Trivia

• Two Black Hotels tracks appear on the album; press noted “Shapes and Kings” functioning as the film’s theme.
• The DVD release listed music videos in the extras, including Black Hotels material—an unusual nod for a local indie band.
• Spotify’s footer credits show “© 2010 Next Music (Pty)” on album entries.
• Warrick Sony’s credit as original-music composer ties the compilation to a distinct SA film-music figure (Kalahari Surfers).

Genres & Themes

Indie/alt-rock → guitars and wry vocals mirror the film’s self-deprecating humor and Joburg restlessness (aKING, Desmond & the Tutus, Black Hotels).

Urban/kwaito/hip-hop inflections → groove-led cues punch up club and party beats (Gang of Instrumentals, MXO).

Acoustic/folk → reflective breather moments (Laurie Levine’s “Kites”) underline quieter character beats.

Tracks & Scenes

Precise timestamps aren’t publicly documented; below are on-album standouts with where they’re used or positioned per release notes and press.

"Shapes and Kings" — The Black Hotels
Where it plays: Identified in South African press as the film’s theme; used around titles/branding and recurring city beats. Non-diegetic.
Why it matters: Sets the sardonic, metropolitan tone in one hook.

"Kites" — Laurie Levine
Where it plays: Quiet, reflective interludes and transitional scenes. Non-diegetic.
Why it matters: Airy folk counterweight to the film’s crackling comedy energy.

"Kiss You on the Cheek" — Desmond & the Tutus
Where it plays: Up-tempo montage/party energy, cutting across nightlife or rehearsal gags. Non-diegetic.
Why it matters: Injects the bright indie bounce many associate with the movie’s marketing.

"Sista Kunjani" — MXO
Where it plays: Street-level scenes and social spaces; groove-first cue. Non-diegetic/source blend.
Why it matters: Brings contemporary urban texture without losing warmth.

"Know Your Bones" — aKING
Where it plays: Momentum cue for travel/city montage. Non-diegetic.
Why it matters: Drives the “get moving” beats; mentioned in coverage as one of the album’s meaningful rock entries.

"You Got the Moves" — Howard Roark
Where it plays: Early “kick the door” rock moments. Non-diegetic.
Why it matters: The compilation’s most off-the-wall rocker—reviewers spotlighted it for attitude.

"Oh Yeah" / "Woza December" — Gang of Instrumentals
Where it plays: Club/performance spaces; used to lift crowd energy. Diegetic/non-diegetic.
Why it matters: Two placements from a crossover SA act—helps the film read like a local playlist.

Music–Story Links

The album’s balance—spiky indie vs. easy-groove urban—tracks the lead’s pull between cynicism and connection. Rock cues tag the protagonist’s city sprints and comic outbursts; softer cuts (“Kites”) humanize him; dance-floor entries reset the social world he keeps stumbling through. “Shapes and Kings” becomes a refrain for “Joburg as character.”

How It Was Made

Craig Freimond wrote/directed; Warrick Sony delivered original music. The compilation curates then-current local artists; DVD materials even include Black Hotels music-video extras—a sign the production wanted the bands front-and-center for marketing. Streaming credits and retail pages point to Next Music’s involvement in distribution.

Reception & Quotes

South African coverage praised the track curation and the way it showcased local acts rather than importing a generic pop slate.

“A soundtrack that doesn’t play it safe… little room for it to put a foot wrong.” News24 review

“‘Shapes and Kings’ serves as the movie’s theme song.” local press note

Additional Info

• Album runtime: ~41–42 minutes (11 tracks on streaming/retail).
• Representative sequence (as listed across services): “You Got the Moves” (Howard Roark) → “Know Your Bones” (aKING) → “Kites” (Laurie Levine) → “Kiss You on the Cheek” (Desmond & the Tutus) → “Sista Kunjani” (MXO) → Gang of Instrumentals cuts → “Shapes and Kings” (The Black Hotels).
• Film extras include band videos (e.g., Black Hotels) on some DVD issues.
• Theatrical release: South Africa, 26 Feb 2010; trailer ID used here: hPBKQTEytBM.

Technical Info

• Title: JOZI – Original Soundtrack
• Year: 2010 (film and album)
• Type: Various-artists compilation; separate original score by Warrick Sony
• Composer (score): Warrick Sony
• Label/rights note: Next Music (Pty) credited on streaming; physical CD in local retail
• Key songs: “Shapes and Kings” (The Black Hotels); “Kites” (Laurie Levine); “Kiss You on the Cheek” (Desmond & the Tutus); “Sista Kunjani” (MXO); “Know Your Bones” (aKING); “You Got the Moves” (Howard Roark); “Oh Yeah” / “Woza December” (Gang of Instrumentals)
• Release context: South African theatrical 26 Feb 2010; DVD later with music-video extras

Canonical Entities & Relations

Sources: Nu Metro film page (release date; music by Warrick Sony); WorldCat DVD record (credits; extras incl. Black Hotels videos); Spotify/Amazon album listings (track list; Next Music credit); News24 review (theme note and artists spotlight); official trailer on YouTube.

November, 12th 2025