Amapiano Songs are taking South African Music to the Next Level Worldwide


Amapiano
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The mid-2010s saw the emergence of the house music subgenre Amapiano in South Africa. This deep house, jazz, and lounge mix is distinguished by synths and big percussive basslines.

High-pitched piano melodies, Kwaito basslines, slow-moving South African house rhythms from the 1990s, and Tribal house-inspired percussions set these South African songs apart.

With noticeable growth in digital streams and chart successes in nations other than its South African origin, the genre saw a growing appeal in 2019 across the African continent. 

Amapiano and gqom have a similar origin story. Early gqom releases were marked by a mix-and-match infrastructure, much like upcoming Amapiano producers. There is a strong DIY spirit in both genres. The songs are created and distributed through different groups in Whatsapp, CD sales and debut in clubs. Producers can use well-known Whatsapp groups like Amapiano World, Amapiano Music, and Amapiano Fan Base as quick and economical distribution hubs for their music to reach the entire country. Also, musicians are free to experiment with new ideas whenever they choose because major labels and A&Rs’ demands to echo the flavor of the month are not interfering with their work.

Amapiano is a relatively recent musical style from South Africa. When the genre first gained prominence in 2017, Amapiano was initially renowned for its wonderful (often minutes long piano solos). One of the genre’s pioneers, Calvin Fallo, released the song “Yellow, Yellow” in 2015. It has a broken drum beat that is supported by nearly six minutes of piano riffs and screeching organs. This particular style of music works well when performed live.

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Recent Amapiano albums, however, have been distinguished by their restraint. The call-and-response lyrics in a song like “Amanikiniki,” created by the pioneers of the genre, MFR Souls, give it its emotional impact.

The South African Amapiano Music Awards, an event developed specifically for the genre, debuted in 2021. The genre was added to the platform of the American online music store Beatport in 2022, along with its specialized charts and playlists. Various dance challenges were created on the TikTok platform, attracting young people to the genre and boosting the South African dancing industry.

After the official premiere in 2021, 2023 is expected to be the greatest awards event ever for the Annual Amapiano Awards. The Second Annual show will be placed at The Sun Bet Arena, Time Square, in Menlyn, Pretoria, on Sunday, April 2, 2023.

The lineup of artists includes

  • DJ Maphorisa
  • Young Stunna
  • Kabza De Small
  • Spumante
  • Lady Du
  • Tyler ICU
  • Nasty C
  • Msaki
  • Amaroto,
  • Focalistic

The prices for the tickets are R900, R500, and R250. The theme, “Amapiano To The World,” represents the influence and strength of the genre in producing its own new generation of local superstars in the mold of Wizkid and Davido.


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Adil Husnain

Adil Husnain is a well-known name in the blogging and SEO industry. He is known for his extensive knowledge and expertise in the field, and has helped numerous businesses and individuals to improve their online visibility and traffic.