Introduction to Amapiano

Amapiano is South Africa’s latest sound export. Here are ten songs to get you acquainted

 

South Africa is often referred to as the birthplace of Afro-house music. The evolution of this deep house sound led to the birth of the popular gqom vibe. Amapiano, its recent export, is a vibe you should definitely acquaint yourself with.

It is said to have originated from taxi ranks in Pretoria circa the 2010s. The sound was popularised by DJs like DJ Maphorisa, Kabza de Small, DJ Ganyani, Sun-El Musician who incorporated its jazzy-loungey vibe into popular music hits.

 

Amapiano is only getting popular in the rest of Africa.

Here are our top 10 tunes you should definitely know:

1. LABANTWANA AMA UBER | SEMI TEE

 

2. AMAINTERNATIONAL | DJ STOKIE

 

3. LORCH | KABZA DE SMALL & DJ MAPHORISA

 

4. THUMA MINA | JOHN BRAVO

 

5. SHESHA | DE MTHUDA & NJELIC

 

6. AKULALEKI || SAMTHING SOWETO

 

7. KOKOTA | KAYGEE DAKING & BIZIZI

 

8. SANDTON | KABZA DE SMALL & DJ MAPHORISA

 

9. SHATTERED | LOXION DEEP & LSQUARED

 

10. PHOYISA || DJ MAPHORISA & KABZA DE SMALL 

 

Discover more music from South Africa in our From the South playlist.