Amapiano is a genre of music that was born in South Africa almost two decades ago
and is now dominating its airplay more than international songs.
South African superstar Busiwa told the Rolling Stone that it is the first time a genre of music from South Africa is taking over dance floors. The bright and jazzy style is not only dominating in South Africa but is also spreading all over the world like wildfire.
A song like “Ameno Amapiano (Remix)” by Goya Menor & Nektunez, an Amapiano hit that you can’t get tired of listening is taking the South African music-born to a level that was not expected when this genre started.
“The genre’s top hits are now characterized by more soulful, sophisticated melodies and poignant lyrics – a stark departure from the raw and repetitive rhymes that birthed the genre”, writes Butchie Seroto in Music in Africa.
Prominent South African artists and DJs agree that amapiano, a bright and jazzy dance music is persisting as the country’s top genre. While amapiano is huge in South Africa, it is also crossing the borders.
On TikTok, the #amapiano hashtag stands at more than 570 million views. Shares of global streams on the AmaPianoGrooves playlist on Spotify have increased 116 percent globally over the past year; the increase in the U.S. is 75 percent.
Amapiano became prominent in South African townships that were historically segregated areas around the year 2016. It has since established itself and is now part of South African music identity.
Below carefully curated list of amapiano songs that are trending now. Serial hitmakers like Boohle, Sir Trill, Dali Wonga, DJs and producers Musa Keys, Busta 929 and duo DJ Maphorisa and Kabza De Small, among others are some of the faces behind the hits that are dominating airplay.
1. Ngixolele by Busta 929 ft. Boohle
This song should be the hit of the year and gives amapiano an amazing taste. Mfana Thupa popularly known as Busta 929 is a South African music producer, Disc Jockey (DJ), musician, rapper, songwriter and performing artist. He is popular for his debut album “Maba Jabul’abuntu”.
2. Reece Madlisa x Zuma – Megalo (ft. Spura & Classic Deep)
Reece Madlisa has created a name for himself in the music industry at a young age of 20 and has become a musical sensation. It is his real name that he uses on stage as well as on his social media accounts.
3. Adiwele by Young Stunnna ft. Kabza De Small and DJ Maphorisa
Sandile Msimango, popularly known by his stage name Young Stunna is a South African singer who is also known for his hit singles “Bopha” and “Adiwele”. He has also extensively worked with record producers DJ Maphorisa and Kabza De Small.
4. Ameno Amapiano Remix by Nektunez and Goya Menor
“You want to bam bam, you want to chill with the big boys…” this is the lyrics almost everyone who likes music can’t get enough of it. Oh I love it !
This is a song that was produced by a non South African producer and shows that amapiano is now a genre for the world to enjoy. The fast-rising Nigerian singer, Bright Goya, whose stage name is Goya Menor is behind the tune of the season.
5. Kabza De Small & DJ Maphorisa – Asibe Happy (Official Audio) feat. Ami Faku
This is a song you can’t afford to dance alone. It is a song laced with love portion and
even if you are single you’ll automatically fall in love just by listening to it.
It’s so nostalgic and exhilarating and can make your heart want to burst with
so many emotions all at once. It is just beautiful.
Kabza De Small together with DJ Maphorisa are behind the song. Kabelo Petrus Motha known by his name stage Kabza De Small is a DJ, entrepreneur and record producer who is worth more than $2 million USD while Themba Sonnyboy Sekowe, well known by his stage name DJ Maphorisa, is a famous South African record producer, DJ and vocalist who has accumulated an estimated net worth of $1.4 million
