Amapiano, a dynamic genre of music, is breaking the barriers of music, infiltrating and taking over the world music scene. Originating from South Africa, this low tempo, melodic musical style has become increasingly popular across the planet — inspiring, unifying and captivating listeners everywhere.
As a result of its immense popularity, Amapiano is making its way into the international music scene, shedding light on African music and culture to the masses. Since its emergence in 2019, this innovative style has been climbing streaming and radio charts, continuously capturing the attention of music fans from around the world. From Canadian hip hop to British electronic music, the sound of Amapiano is quickly making its presence known.
Amapiano producers, artists and DJs have found success beyond the South African borders. While orchestrators of this sound have been traditionally based in the region, their music and influence often extend beyond its socioeconomic borders. For example, rising artists like Kabza De Small and MFR Souls — two of Amapiano’s most prominent stars, who rose to fame in the early 2010s — have put the sound on a global pedestal.
The sound of Amapiano is transcending traditional music. It features a unique combination of traditional elements like Kwaito and House music, while blending in a modern-day sound influenced by Jazz and Trap. It’s a diverse and highly accessible genre, drawing on a wide range of influences and providing a fresh perspective on music. Not only is it captivating and entertaining, but it has managed to bridge cultural gaps and connect listeners from around the world.
The popularity of Amapiano has resulted in numerous collaborations between some of the most respected figures in the genre. International music producer Medasin is just one example of an artist who has produced an entire Amapiano project, collaborating with a plethora of South African musicians to help fuse the sound across international productions.
The sound of Amapiano is also gaining international recognition among commercial DJs and EDM fans. Huge artists like Diplo, Steve Aoki and Martin Garrix have all featured the dynamic sound of Amapiano on tracks, expanding its reach and appeal beyond South Africa.
What is Amapiano?
Amapiano is a house music and fusion style featuring the smooth piano melodies of house combined with the gritty electronic beats of garage and kwaito. The genre was born in 2014 in the townships of Johannesburg, South Africa. Since its emergence, amapiano has become a nationwide sensation and is celebrated internationally.
Amapiano is influenced by a variety of sounds and styles, from jazz, hip hop, R&B and Kwaito, to Afrobeat and Gqom. It has become the sound of South Africa and enjoys the honour of hundreds of thousands of fans who flock to live gigs and music festivals. DJs and producers represented in the amapiano sub-genre have become some of the nation’s most sought-after artists.
The genre achieved its wide-scale recognition in 2018 with the hit single, “Vuma,” by Shimza. Since then, streaming numbers for amapiano music have skyrocketed. In 2019, amapiano became the biggest trend in South African music, with many crossover collaborations from other countries from as far away as Nigeria and Jamaica.
This new sound is characterised by a wide variety of melodic leads, basslines and kick drums. Amapiano producers have created an entirely new sound made up of a range of sub-genres. These sub-genres include afro-jazz, gqom, soul, afro-house, afro-pop and many others. The large influence taken from South African house and kwaito provides a unique blend of elements that create an innovative and immensely popular sound.
The amapiano sound has taken South Africa by storm. It is a genre that features great artists that have become hugely popular, including DJ Maphorisa and Kabza De Small. With the genre’s explosive popularity, the local industry recognizes amapiano as a mainstream style. It can be heard in clubs, events and on the radio all across the country.
The rise of Amapiano
The rise of Amapiano has been swift and unstoppable. Hailing from South Africa, the genre of Amapiano has become the soundtrack of the African continent and beyond. To fully understand its greatness and power, it is important to explore the background and history of Amapiano.
The genre was born in South Africa in the early 2010s, when DJ’s Maphorisa and Kabza De Small began experimenting with a distinctive sound. This new style would draw heavily from the genre known as Kwaito, which is an upbeat and dance-based style of music. However, Amapiano stands on its own due to the distinct sound that its producers were able to establish.
The sound of Amapiano typically features prominent but light drums, upbeat and piercing basslines, heavy bass, and gentle synths. This makes the music perfect for dancing and listening. It is also highly melodic and full of creative, impacting songwriting. This unique mix of melodic and dance-like characteristics has been one of the key factors in Amapiano’s success.
When it comes to lyrics, artists take a variety of approaches. Some songs focus heavily on love, life, and politics, while others are just straight up party anthems. This makes Amapiano versatile, and it’s easy to understand why it has been embraced by both young and old audiences.
In addition to its innovative sound, the genre has benefited from the work of many talented artists. Although Maphorisa and Kabza De Small have been a key driving force, many up-and-coming artists have been instrumental in pushing Amapiano to the next level.
In the last few years, Amapiano has also taken off abroad. It has been featured in numerous hit songs, as well as included in events for international acts. It has broken into the US market and beyond, proving to be an unstoppable force.
The rise of Amapiano is an incredible story, and it is only the beginning. With creative producers, talented artists, and a unique and versatile sound, it continues to prove itself as a dominant force in the music industry.
Why is Amapiano taking over the world?
The upbeat and vibrant beats of Amapiano have been slowly taking over the world. Not only is Amapiano becoming a global phenomenon, but it is also slowly replacing other types of music in other countries. What is Amapiano and why is it taking over the world?
Amapiano is a South African musical style that blends deep bass lines, gentle vocal chants, and complex samples. It is often termed as an African form of Global House Music, or G-House for short. Because of its high-energy dance vibes, Amapiano has become a favourite for parties and clubs throughout Africa and, increasingly, around the world.
One reason why Amapiano is succeeding, even in places where African music is traditionally unheard of, is its flexibility. Unlike other genres of music, which are very specific and rooted in tradition, Amapiano has evolved and adapted to different cultures and geographical locations. As a result, it can be enjoyed by people from all around the world, regardless of where they are from.
For instance, Amapiano is becoming increasingly popular in Europe and North America, even though there is a large population of African immigrants in those regions. It has spread beyond the African diaspora and is now embraced by people of all different backgrounds and nationalities. This broad appeal has allowed Amapiano to go international, helping it gain traction and grow even more.
In addition to its versatility, Amapiano is very catchy, making it easy to dance along to. The beat and strong base lines of the music are incredibly infectious, and the samples and vocal chants are both extremely catchy and uplifting. People cannot help but move their feet when they hear Amapiano, and as such, it has become a global phenomenon.
At the end of the day, Amapiano’s success is due to the attractive qualities of its music and the remarkable adaptability of its style. Its ability to be enjoyed by people from all around the world, regardless of their backgrounds or nationalities, has allowed it to reverberate throughout the world. This global reach and recognition has enabled Amapiano to slowly take over the world of music and establish itself.
Who are the biggest Amapiano Artists?
Music has been a driving force of culture and entertainment around the world for centuries. From rock to soul and reggae to country, different genres have influenced generations of fans and musicians alike. The latest phenomenon to grip the southern African continent is the captivating sound of Amapiano.
Amapiano has been making waves in the industry since its introduction in the 2010s. It originated from South Africa and combines elements from house, Kwaito, electronic music and traditional South African styles. As it has continued to grow, it has gained a global audience thanks to its highly infectious, euphoric sound. But who are some of the biggest Amapiano artists responsible for creating this exciting new genre?
Perhaps the biggest name in Amapiano is Kabza De Small. The South African DJ and producer is widely known as the “King of Amapiano” due to his achievements in the genre. His sound is highly distinguishable, combining the classic Amapiano sound with contemporary house music styles. He has released several albums and mixtapes which have all topped the South African Music Charts. His success has seen him collaborate with some of the biggest names in the music industry.
Another big name in the Amapiano world is Vigro Deep. The DJ rose to fame with his debut album, ‘Baby Boy’ in 2017. He has since taken the genre to the next level, releasing numerous hits ranging from club bangers to signature hymns. His unique style has earned him collaborations with award winning artists across the continent and beyond.
AmaPiano would not be complete without the duo that started it all. Semi Tee and Miano have been credited for their influence on the genre. The two have been at the forefront of the Amapiano movement since its inception. They have produced some of the biggest anthems to come out of the genre, releasing several singles and albums.
Although not as popular as the previously mentioned artists, duo Focalistic and Kabza De Small have also managed to make a name for themselves in the Amapiano community. Focalistic’s melodic and energetic beats have garnered him a large following, and Kabza De Small’s intricate and innovative production style has won him critical acclaim. Together, the two have created some of the most exciting and danceable Amapiano tracks.
How has Amapiano impacted Africa?
The rise of the amapiano music genre in South Africa has been a fascinating transformation for the African music scene over the past several years. Amapiano, a type of house music, originated as a fusion of kwaito and house in the early 2010s.
In its short existence, amapiano has had a significant impact on African music culture. For one, it has brought new vitality to a genre that was beginning to stagnate in South Africa. The amenable mix of genres, from traditional kwaito to modern house and African guitar, offers new avenues for artistic exploration and has sparked a new ethos among South African producers and DJs.
In addition, the music has served as a global ambassador for South African music. As the genre has become popular beyond South Africa, it has been a voice for a country steeped in both tradition and modernity. Amapiano’s uplifting, soulful expression has attracted audiences around the world and become a vital part of a flourishing global music scene.
At home in Africa, amapiano has provided new possibilities for African music production. In addition to its unique approach of combining right African vocals, brass, and keyboards, the amapiano has embraced modern production techniques and software. This has allowed African producers to showcase the continent’s burgeoning music scene to a global audience.
Despite its short history, amapiano has shown significant signs of sustained success and international recognition. This is due in part to its roots in traditional South African music, and its ability to fuse modern elements into old arrangements. Additionally, the welcoming nature of the amapiano sound and the captivating lyrics have attracted a global audience.
The music has also impacted the economics of African music production. With the increase in popularity of amapiano, there has been an explosion in streaming services, record labels, and live music spaces dedicated to presenting the music. This has opened up a new avenue for African musicians to profit from their art and find banking success.
Can Amapiano Last for Long in the Music Scene?
Amapiano has been taking the music scene by storm in recent years and is now one of the top genres in South Africa. But can Amapiano last for long in the music scene? This is a difficult question to answer, as it is hard to predict what will and will not be popular in the long run.
The popularity of Amapiano has been growing at an incredible rate, and it has become a staple in major clubs, radio stations, and festivals across the nation. One thing that sets Amapiano apart from other genres is its unique blend of house, kwaito and hip-hop, which makes it a genre that appeals to a wide variety of listeners. This makes it not only popular with South Africans, but also people from all over the world, which has certainly played a role in the genre’s quick rise to fame.
Amapiano’s success can also be attributed to the way it has been embraced by the youth. The music is seen as a symbol of joy and freedom, and that energy has resonated with younger generations. In addition to the optimistic themes in the lyrics, the production itself also has an uplifting tone that appeals to many listeners.
Despite these points, it is difficult to tell how long Amapiano will remain popular. Music is always evolving, and it is hard to predict what will be popular in the future. However, Amapiano has a few advantages that could keep it around for the long-term.
The first is the genre’s appeal to the international music scene. As mentioned earlier, the unique blend of styles makes Amapiano attractive to listeners from around the world, which could help keep the genre in the spotlight for years to come.
Another factor that could play a role in the longevity of Amapiano is the way it has driven collaborations. Artists from a variety of genres have come together to create amazing pieces. These collaborations could unlock new potential for the genre, as it helps to bring in new fans who may not have been exposed to Amapiano before.
In conclusion, Amapiano is infiltrating and taking over the world music scene. This is due to its unique sound that is a mix of house, hip hop, and African influences. The genre is also gaining popularity because of its association with positive vibes and good times. To stay up-to-date on the latest in music, subscribe to Who Owns Africa’s newsletter.