Remember 1992? A year of big firsts, bold moves & unforgettable music
Remember 1992? A year of big firsts, bold moves & unforgettable music
Ahmed Kajee
Remember 1992? A year of big firsts, bold moves & unforgettable music
Before the internet ruled our lives, before social media dictated trends, there was 1992 — a year that carved its identity with cassette tapes, cinema queues, and culture shifts that we still feel today. It was the year you might have danced in your bedroom to Ce Ce Peniston’s “Finally”, watched The Bodyguard in theatres (and cried a little), or hit rewind on your boombox just to hear “Life Is a Highway” one more time.
Globally, 1992 was bursting with change. In the U.S., Bill Clinton was elected president, ushering in a new political era powered by youth and pop culture. Meanwhile, Michael Jackson’s Dangerous Tour mesmerised the world, with performances that blended storytelling, music, and unmatched showmanship — “Remember the Time”, anyone? Over in Europe, the airwaves were pulsing with Eurodance anthems like “Rhythm Is a Dancer” and “Please Don’t Go” — songs that still fill retro party playlists today.
In South Africa, 1992 marked a seismic shift. The referendum backing reforms to end apartheid passed with 68% of the white vote. Behind the scenes, the CODESA talks sputtered and reignited — as the nation tiptoed toward democracy. In the townships, mixtapes and bootleg CDs made the rounds, spreading international pop hits and homegrown sounds alike. Radio Bop, still going strong, helped introduce global artists like KLF and George Michael to South African audiences long before streaming made it easy.
And smack in the middle of it all was the music.
That’s why this week’s HOT Classic Countdown with Steve Bishop is turning the spotlight on 1992 — a year where every song tells a story, and every beat takes us back. From Whitney Houston’s powerhouse ballad “I Will Always Love You” to Mary J. Blige’s breakout hit “Real Love”, the countdown showcases the defining tracks that scored our lives during this unforgettable year.
Meanwhile, in Hollywood, Batman Returns, Basic Instinct, and Aladdin lit up the box office, while VHS rental shops were buzzing with queues for Lethal Weapon 3. And if you were lucky, your local record store had a copy of Richard Marx’s “Hazard” or Shanice’s “I Love Your Smile” still in stock.
So if 1992 meant something to you — be it a first crush, a school disco, or a cassette tape that never left your Walkman — join us for a nostalgic ride this Sunday from 12 to 3pm on HOT 102.7FM. The songs are back… and so are the memories.
Did You Know?
Whitney’s chart-topping single from The Bodyguard was originally a 1970s Dolly Parton country song. Whitney’s soulful reimagining not only transformed the track — it became the best-selling single by a female artist at the time.
Relive every moment on this week’s HOT Classic Countdown with Steve Bishop, Sunday from 12 to 3pm on HOT 102.7FM.
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