amapiano
{{Short description|Subgenre of House}}
{{use dmy dates|date=July 2023}}
{{use South African English|date=July 2023}}
{{Infobox music genre
| name = Amapiano
| stylistic_origins = {{hlist|Kwaito | gqom|deep house | jazz | soul| lounge}}
| cultural_origins = 2012 (disputed in Gauteng)
| instruments = {{hlist|Piano|drums|synthesiser}}
| subgenres = {{hlist|S'gija | Private School Piano | Quantum Sound | Bique | Stena Piano | Havard | Commercial | Nkwari}}
| fusiongenres = {{hlist|Afropiano|Bongopiano|New Age Bacardi |Ojapiano|Popiano}}
| local_scenes = {{hlist|Pretoria, Soweto, Alexandra, Katlehong, Vosloorus }}
| other_topics = {{hlist|Afro fusion|Shangaan electro}}
}}
Amapiano is a genre of music from South Africa that became popular in and around the mid-2012 with an earlier regular occurrence on South African radio stations in the early 2000s. It is a hybrid of kwaito, deep house, gqom, jazz, soul, and lounge music characterized by synths and wide, percussive basslines. The word "amapiano" derives from the IsiZulu word for "pianos".
Origins
There is ambiguity and debate concerning its origin, with various accounts of the musical styles in the Johannesburg townships.{{cite web |last=Prspct |date=2018-11-21 |title=New age house music: the rise of "amapiano" |url=https://www.prospect.zone/en/new-age-house-music-the-rise-of-amapiano/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200304172733/https://www.prospect.zone/en/new-age-house-music-the-rise-of-amapiano/ |archive-date=4 March 2020 |access-date=2019-10-29 |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Shumba |first=Ano |date=2019-08-09 |title=Top amapiano songs of 2019 |url=https://www.musicinafrica.net/magazine/top-amapiano-songs-2019 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190809154153/https://www.musicinafrica.net/magazine/top-amapiano-songs-2019 |archive-date=9 August 2019 |access-date=2024-06-22 |website=Music In Africa |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Reporter |first=Citizen |date=2019-11-08 |title=Amapiano tracks that should be on your playlist this summer |url=https://www.citizen.co.za/entertainment/amapiano-tracks-that-should-be-on-your-playlist-this-summer/ |access-date=2024-07-13 |website=The Citizen |language=en |archive-date=13 July 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240713084201/https://www.citizen.co.za/entertainment/amapiano-tracks-that-should-be-on-your-playlist-this-summer/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite news |date=7 June 2019 |title=The Rise of Amapiano |url=https://www.chronicle.co.zw/new-age-house-music-the-rise-of-amapiano/ |url-status=live |access-date=7 June 2019 |work=The Chronicle |archive-date=28 July 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190728195549/https://www.chronicle.co.zw/new-age-house-music-the-rise-of-amapiano/ }} Because it has some similarities with bacardi house,{{Cite web |last=Selaluke |first=Stephen |date=29 August 2020 |title=Bacardi music back due to popular demand |url=https://www.citizen.co.za/rekord/news-headlines/local-news/2020/08/29/bacardi-music-back-due-to-popular-demand/#:~:text=%E2%80%9CIt%20was%20first%20discovered%20by,Fani%20Hlongwane%20in%20Mamelodi%20West.%E2%80%9D&text=Bra%20Fani%20used%20to%20play,and%20also%20at%20local%20pubs.%E2%80%9D |access-date=2 July 2021 |website=The Citizen |archive-date=8 November 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231108140950/https://www.citizen.co.za/rekord/news-headlines/local-news/2020/08/29/bacardi-music-back-due-to-popular-demand/#:~:text=%E2%80%9CIt%20was%20first%20discovered%20by,Fani%20Hlongwane%20in%20Mamelodi%20West.%E2%80%9D&text=Bra%20Fani%20used%20to%20play,and%20also%20at%20local%20pubs.%E2%80%9D |url-status=dead }}{{Cite web |last=Miya |first=Madzadza |date=18 July 2022 |title=Bacardi House-Tinged Amapiano Is Setting the Streets Ablaze - Okayplayer |url=https://www.okayafrica.com/amapiano-bacardi-house-south-africa/ |access-date=2024-08-04 |website=OkayAfrica |language=en |archive-date=16 July 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240716162112/https://www.okayafrica.com/amapiano-bacardi-house-south-africa/ |url-status=live }} some people assert the genre began in Pretoria but it remains uncertain.{{cite web|url=https://www.timeslive.co.za/sunday-times/lifestyle/2019-07-07-amapiano-a-township-sound-with-staying-power/|title=Amapiano: a township sound with staying power|website=TimesLIVE|language=en-ZA|access-date=2019-10-29|archive-date=29 October 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191029004509/https://www.timeslive.co.za/sunday-times/lifestyle/2019-07-07-amapiano-a-township-sound-with-staying-power/|url-status=live}}{{cite web |last1=Joyce |first1=Liam Karabo |title=Meet the vocalist featured on the biggest amapiano tracks |url=https://www.iol.co.za/entertainment/music/local/meet-the-vocalist-featured-on-the-biggest-amapiano-tracks-35610310 |publisher=Independent Online |access-date=1 November 2019 |date=23 October 2019 |archive-date=8 June 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240608111151/https://www.iol.co.za/entertainment/music/local/meet-the-vocalist-featured-on-the-biggest-amapiano-tracks-35610310 |url-status=live }}{{cite web|url=https://www.sowetanlive.co.za/sundayworld/lifestyle/2019-05-28-amapiano-a-new-movement-period/|title=Amapiano a new movement... Period|website=SowetanLIVE|language=en-ZA|access-date=2019-10-29|archive-date=21 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210421225724/https://www.sowetanlive.co.za/sundayworld/lifestyle/2019-05-28-amapiano-a-new-movement-period/|url-status=live}} Various accounts of who formed the popular genre make it impossible to accurately pinpoint its origin.{{cite web |date=2019-10-02 |title=Charting the Meteoric Rise of South Africa's AmaPiano |url=https://newsroom.spotify.com/2019-10-02/charting-the-meteoric-rise-of-south-africas-amapiano/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191029121014/https://newsroom.spotify.com/2019-10-02/charting-the-meteoric-rise-of-south-africas-amapiano/ |archive-date=29 October 2019 |access-date=2019-10-29 |website=Spotify |language=en-US}}
The word amapiano is a Zulu word that can be loosely translated to "pianos."{{cite web |date=30 September 2020 |title=Amapiano: What is it all about? |url=https://www.musicinafrica.net/magazine/amapiano-what-it-all-about |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240804095811/https://www.musicinafrica.net/magazine/amapiano-what-it-all-about |archive-date=4 August 2024 |access-date=2021-01-30 |publisher=musicinafrica.net}}{{Cite magazine |last=Mohlomi |first=Setumo-Thebe |date=2021-07-27 |title=8 Things To Know About South Africa's Amapiano Genre: A Local's Guide to the Scene |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/8-things-to-know-about-south-africas-amapiano-genre-a-locals-guide-to-the-scene-9606724/ |access-date=2024-07-13 |magazine=Billboard |language=en-US |archive-date=4 August 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240804125507/https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/8-things-to-know-about-south-africas-amapiano-genre-a-locals-guide-to-the-scene-9606724/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last=Brown |first=Daryl |date=2022-02-15 |title=How 'Amapiano', South Africa's soulful sound, has become one of the hottest new music genres |url=https://www.cnn.com/2022/02/15/africa/amapiano-south-africa-music-genre-origins-spc-intl/index.html |access-date=2024-07-13 |website=CNN |language=en |archive-date=23 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230623074956/https://www.cnn.com/2022/02/15/africa/amapiano-south-africa-music-genre-origins-spc-intl/index.html |url-status=live }} The genre is mostly sung in one of South Africa's 12 official languages such as IsiZulu, IsiXhosa, SiSwati, Sesotho, Sepedi, Setswana, English, Xitsonga, Tshivenda, Afrikaans, IsiNdebele.
Description
Amapiano is distinguished by piano melodies, deep house, soul, kwaito and log drum basslines. The genre's sample packs often incorporate sounds sourced from gqom music. Bacardi, is often misperceived either as a subgenre of amapiano or having emerged in the 2020s.{{cite web |title=The Yanos Plug: Amapiano to The World |url=https://theyanosplug.com/about-us/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240608111155/https://theyanosplug.com/about-us/ |archive-date=8 June 2024 |access-date=2021-10-29 |website=The Yanos Plug |language=en-ZA}}{{cite web |date=2019-12-17 |title=The 10 Best Amapiano Songs of 2019 |url=https://www.okayafrica.com/amapiano-best-songs-2019/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200329153415/https://www.okayafrica.com/amapiano-best-songs-2019/ |archive-date=29 March 2020 |access-date=2020-03-29 |website=OkayAfrica |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Kriger |first=Themba |date=2024-04-25 |title=How Amapiano Took Over The World |url=https://www.redbull.com/za-en/amapiano-history |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240428014854/https://www.redbull.com/za-en/amapiano-history |archive-date=28 April 2024 |access-date=2024-06-24 |website=Red Bull |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=Amapiano's Second Wave: How innovations emerge from Black South African culture |url=https://mixmag.net/feature/amapiano-second-wave-black-south-africa-culture-innovation-townships |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240618112246/https://mixmag.net/feature/amapiano-second-wave-black-south-africa-culture-innovation-townships |archive-date=18 June 2024 |access-date=2024-06-27 |website=Mixmag}}
A popular element of the genre is the use of the log drum (an electronic version of the West African originating log drum),{{Cite book |last1=Kalani |title=World Rhythms! Arts Program presents West African Drum & Dance: A Yankadi-Macrou Celebration |last2=Camara |first2=Ryan M. |publisher=Alfred Music |isbn=978-1-4574-2233-1 |page=19 |language=en}} a wide percussive bassline, which was popularized in amapiano music by several producers such as MDU aka TRP. According to one of the amapiano pioneers, Kabza De Small, he asserts that:
"I don't know what happened. I don't know how he figured out the log drum. Amapiano music has always been there, but he's the one who came up with the log drum sound. These boys like experimenting. They always check out new plug-ins. So when MDU figured it out, he ran with it."{{Citation|title= "Kabza De Small and MDU aka TRP set to release 50-track album [listen]"|date= 5 November 2021|url= https://www.thesouthafrican.com/culture/music/kabza-de-small-mdu-aka-trp-pretty-girls-love-amapiano-50-tracks/|language= en|access-date= 2022-01-10|archive-date= 11 January 2022|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20220111091642/https://www.thesouthafrican.com/culture/music/kabza-de-small-mdu-aka-trp-pretty-girls-love-amapiano-50-tracks/|url-status= live}}
The use of an electronic or the log drum sound in African music predates amapiano although the contrary is often misperceived, and was possibly developed from the traditional or acoustic West African log drum by kwaito pioneer M'du (also known as Mdu Masilela).{{Cite web |last=Soundcity |date=2017-08-21 |title=New Music: Ric Hassani ft. Mumba Yachi - Sweet Mother {{!}} Pre-Order "The African Gentleman" |url=https://soundcity.tv/new-music-ric-hassani-ft-mumba-yachi-sweet-mother-pre-order-the-african-gentleman/ |access-date=2024-08-04 |website=Soundcity |language=en-US |archive-date=4 August 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240804095809/https://soundcity.tv/new-music-ric-hassani-ft-mumba-yachi-sweet-mother-pre-order-the-african-gentleman/ |url-status=live }}{{cite magazine|title=How Far Can Amapiano Go?|magazine=The New Yorker|url=https://www.newyorker.com/culture/culture-desk/how-far-can-amapiano-go/|language=en|access-date=2023-08-01|archive-date=1 August 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230801164543/https://www.newyorker.com/culture/culture-desk/how-far-can-amapiano-go|url-status=live}}
Subgenres and fusion
= Afropiano =
{{Main article|Afrobeats}}
Afropiano also referred to as Nigerian amapiano, a blend of afrobeats and amapiano, gained prominence in the early 2020s as a popular variant of afrobeats. Pioneers of the genre include Clemzy and L.A.X.{{Cite web |author=Daily Post Staff |date=2023-04-19 |title=Top 6 Nigerian amapiano songs |url=https://dailypost.ng/2023/04/19/top-6-nigerian-amapiano-songs/ |access-date=2024-06-27 |website=Daily Post Nigeria |language=en-US |archive-date=7 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240107165333/https://dailypost.ng/2023/04/19/top-6-nigerian-amapiano-songs/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last=Online |first=Tribune |date=2021-11-23 |title=How I pioneered Afropiano sound with L.A.X's monster record 'GO LOW' ― Hit maker, Clemzy |url=https://tribuneonlineng.com/how-i-pioneered-afropiano-sound-with-l-a-xs-monster-record-go-low-%E2%80%95-hit-maker-clemzy/ |access-date=2024-06-27 |website=Tribune Online |language=en-GB |archive-date=7 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240107135812/https://tribuneonlineng.com/how-i-pioneered-afropiano-sound-with-l-a-xs-monster-record-go-low-%E2%80%95-hit-maker-clemzy/ |url-status=live }}
= Bique =
Bique employs a prominently undulated log drum sound and derives its name from the Southeastern African country, Mozambique. Notable illustrations of bique are "Ize (Bique Mix)" by ZanTen and DJ SOL K, FOI and Jay Music's "Bique (Deep Groove)", songs.
= Bongopiano =
{{Main article|Bongo Flava}}
Bongopiano is a fusion genre that blends bongo flava music and amapiano, emerging in Tanzania during the 2020s. In the 2020s, numerous prominent Tanzanian musical artists including Diamond Platnumz, Marioo, Harmonize, Nandy, Jux, Mbosso and Zuchu released notable bongopiano songs.{{Cite web |last=Digital |first=Standard |title=BongoPiano: The musical crossover that has everyone dancing |url=https://www.standardmedia.co.ke/entertainment/news/article/2001479603/bongopiano-the-musical-crossover-that-has-everyone-dancing |access-date=2024-08-01 |website=Standard Entertainment |language=en |archive-date=15 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240115002636/https://www.standardmedia.co.ke/entertainment/news/article/2001479603/bongopiano-the-musical-crossover-that-has-everyone-dancing |url-status=live }}
= Gqom 2.0 =
In the mid-2010s circa early 2020s, Gqom 2.0 emerged as a subgenre of gqom,{{Cite web |last=Dazed |date=2021-10-22 |title=Dazed Mix: DJ Lag |url=https://www.dazeddigital.com/music/article/54567/1/dazed-mix-dj-lag |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231211125424/https://www.dazeddigital.com/music/article/54567/1/dazed-mix-dj-lag |archive-date=11 December 2023 |access-date=2024-06-27 |website=Dazed |language=en}}{{Cite web |date=2021-12-16 |title=DJ Lag is one step closer to Meeting with the King |url=https://pan-african-music.com/en/dj-lag-raptor/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211216132759/https://pan-african-music.com/en/dj-lag-raptor/ |archive-date=16 December 2021 |access-date=2024-06-27 |website=PAM - Pan African Music |language=en-US}} alongside other gqom variants for instance 3-Step and sgubhu.{{Cite web |last=Murphy |first=Ben |date=2016-01-05 |title=Gqom: A deeper look at South Africa's new generation of house |url=https://www.factmag.com/2016/01/05/gqom-feature/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240520141738/https://www.factmag.com/2016/01/05/gqom-feature/ |archive-date=20 May 2024 |access-date=2024-06-27 |website=Fact Magazine |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Sound (RPS) |first=Radio Primavera |year=2019 |title=Gqom Fridays 1x06 Sgubhu and 3-step |url=https://www.mixcloud.com/RadioPrimaveraSound/unknown-gqom-fridays-1x06-sgubhu-and-3-step/ |access-date=2024-08-04 |website=Mixcloud |archive-date=27 July 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240727040426/https://www.mixcloud.com/RadioPrimaveraSound/unknown-gqom-fridays-1x06-sgubhu-and-3-step/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |title=Interview: DJ Lag is Firm on Taking Gqom To The Rest of the World - Okayplayer |url=https://www.okayafrica.com/dj-lag-firm-taking-gqom-to-the-world/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201217171053/https://www.okayafrica.com/dj-lag-firm-taking-gqom-to-the-world/ |archive-date=17 December 2020 |access-date=2024-06-27 |website=OkayAfrica |language=en}} Gqom 2.0 is distinguished by a slowed-down tempo fused with elements of amapiano, afrohouse and afrotech.
= New Age Bacardi =
{{See also|DJ Spoko|DJ Mujava}}
New Age Bacardi denotes the fusion of bacardi with amapiano that emerged circa mid-2021 illustrated by the Mellow & Sleazy track "Trust Fund" which featured Kabza De Small, Mpura, Focalistic and DJ Maphorisa. DJ Maphorisa highlighted that Pretoria-based record producers played a key role in merging the musical styles and that the pace of new age bacardi had been slowed-down from the original fast-paced bacardi tempos.
= Ojapiano =
{{Distinguish|Ọjà|Piano}}
Ojapiano is a fusion of the traditional Igbo instrument Ọjà and subgenre of amapiano which emerged in Nigeria in the early 2020s. The term was coined by Kcee in the 2020s. There have been several pioneers of the genre since its emergence including Kcee, Snazzy the Optimist, Oxlade and renowned American pop rock band OneRepublic.{{Cite web |last=Esomnofu |first=Emmanuel |date=2023-06-16 |title=Exploring "Ojapiano" & The Evolution of Nigeria's Most Spiritual Flute |url=https://thenativemag.com/ojapiano-spiritual-flute/ |access-date=2023-12-19 |website=The NATIVE |language=en-US |archive-date=19 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231219015553/https://thenativemag.com/ojapiano-spiritual-flute/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last=Ibeh |first=Ifeanyi |date=2024-03-25 |title=Snazzy the Optimist Introduces Fresh Sound with New Tune 'Asa' |url=https://guardian.ng/saturday-magazine/snazzy-the-optimist-introduces-fresh-sound-with-new-tune-asa/ |access-date=2024-04-05 |website=The Guardian |language=en-US |archive-date=31 March 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240331032809/https://guardian.ng/saturday-magazine/snazzy-the-optimist-introduces-fresh-sound-with-new-tune-asa/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last=Omenye |first=Alex |date=2023-11-03 |title=Kcee And Oxlade Anchor on Hope In "I Pray" |url=https://culturecustodian.com/kcee-and-oxlade-anchors-on-hope-in-i-pray/ |access-date=2024-04-05 |website=The Culture Custodian (Est. 2014.) |language=en-GB |archive-date=5 April 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240405231626/https://culturecustodian.com/kcee-and-oxlade-anchors-on-hope-in-i-pray/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |title=Kcee to feature One Republic on Ojapiano remix |url=https://notjustok.com/news/kcee-to-feature-one-republic-on-ojapiano-remix/ |access-date=2024-04-05 |website=NotjustOk |date=2 February 2024 |language=en-US |archive-date=5 April 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240405230226/https://notjustok.com/news/kcee-to-feature-one-republic-on-ojapiano-remix/ |url-status=live }}
= Popiano =
Popiano blends pop with amapiano.{{Cite web |last=Gyre |first=S’bo |date=2024-02-11 |title=Tyla: The ascent of the queen of popiano |url=https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2024-02-11-tyla-the-ascent-of-the-queen-of-popiano/ |access-date=2024-06-30 |website=Daily Maverick |language=en |archive-date=23 March 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240323134919/https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2024-02-11-tyla-the-ascent-of-the-queen-of-popiano/ |url-status=live }} A notable illustration is the 2021 single "Overdue" by record producers Kooldrink, DJ Lag and singer, Tyla which showcased a fusion of popiano and gqom.{{Cite magazine |last=Mamo |first=Heran |date=2023-10-31 |title=From a 'Normal Girl in South Africa' to a Rising 'Popiano' Star, Tyla is Making Major Waves with 'Water' |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/tyla-water-rb-hip-hop-rookie-of-the-month-october-1235449715/ |access-date=2024-06-30 |magazine=Billboard |language=en-US |archive-date=1 November 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231101100036/https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/tyla-water-rb-hip-hop-rookie-of-the-month-october-1235449715/ |url-status=live }} Since popiano's inception Tyla has been deemed "The Queen of Popiano".
= Private school piano =
Private school piano also known as soulful amapiano is distinguished by its use of shakers, mellow log drum sounds and progressive chord sequences. Private school piano is primarily credited to Kelvin Momo. The genre frequently incorporates live instrumentation, including the guitar, saxophone, violin and trumpet.{{Cite web |date=2022-11-24 |title=Meet the instrumentalists of amapiano |url=https://pan-african-music.com/en/instrumentalists-of-amapiano/ |access-date=2024-08-14 |website=PAM - Pan African Music |language=en-US}}
= Quantum Sound =
Quantum sound is a genre characterized by re-edits, fundamentally rooted in and influenced by gqom, particularly the taxi kick style. The genre is attributed to several record producers including RealShaunMusiq, Sizwe Nineteen and Nandipha808.{{Cite web |title=Amapiano's Second Wave: How kwaito opened the door for amapiano's evolutions |url=https://mixmag.net/feature/amapiano-second-wave-south-africa-apartheid-kwaito-evolution-series |access-date=2024-08-14 |website=Mixmag}}
Popularity
In 2019, the genre experienced increased popularity across the African continent, with noted increases in digital streams and chart successes in countries far from its South African origin.{{cite web|url=https://www.zkhiphani.co.za/2019-the-year-of-the-yanos-how-amapiano-blow-up/|title=2019 The Year Of The Yanos, How Amapiano Blow up|last=Machaieie|first=Mario|date=2019-10-21|website=Online Youth Magazine {{!}} Zkhiphani.com|language=en-US|access-date=2019-10-29|archive-date=29 October 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191029125808/https://www.zkhiphani.co.za/2019-the-year-of-the-yanos-how-amapiano-blow-up/|url-status=live}}{{Cite web |last=behappy |date=2024-01-02 |title=Best Amapiano Songs Of 2024 January |url=https://afrohits.net/best-amapiano-songs-of-2024-january/ |access-date=2024-06-27 |website=AFROHITS MAGAZINE |language=en-US |archive-date=23 February 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240223154244/https://afrohits.net/best-amapiano-songs-of-2024-january/ |url-status=live }}
In 2021, an awards ceremony was created that was dedicated to the genre, the South Africa Amapiano Music Awards.{{Cite web |last=Langa |first=Phumlani S. |title=Mzansi's first amapiano awards have social media abuzz |url=https://www.news24.com/citypress/trending/mzansis-first-amapiano-awards-have-social-media-abuzz-20210724 |access-date=2023-02-21 |website=City Press |language=en-US |archive-date=21 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230221183545/https://www.news24.com/citypress/trending/mzansis-first-amapiano-awards-have-social-media-abuzz-20210724 |url-status=live }}
In 2022, the American online music store Beatport added the genre to its platform with its own dedicated charts and playlists.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/beatport-south-africa-amapiano-genre-1235067098/|title=Beatport Adds South Africa's Amapiano Genre To Its Platform|last=Bain|first=Katie|date=2022-05-05|magazine=Billboard|language=en-US|access-date=2022-09-02|archive-date=2 September 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220902194604/https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/beatport-south-africa-amapiano-genre-1235067098/amp/|url-status=live}}
The genre was popular amongst young people on social media platforms, where videos using amapiano music were uploaded, which fueled the dancing scene in South Africa.{{Cite web |date=2022-09-19 |title=The evolution of amapiano |url=https://mg.co.za/friday/2022-09-19-the-evolution-of-amapiano/ |access-date=2023-08-07 |website=The Mail & Guardian |language=en-ZA |archive-date=7 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230807134935/https://mg.co.za/friday/2022-09-19-the-evolution-of-amapiano/ |url-status=live }}
Amapiano music has always been dominated mainly by men. Social media users in South Africa are constantly fighting to change the narratives about how they helped the country advance.{{How|date=August 2024}}{{Cite web |title=5 Recognized South Africa Amapiano Female Artists |url=https://hipupmusic.com/editorial/5-recognized-south-africa-amapiano-female-artists/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230513183248/https://hipupmusic.com/editorial/5-recognized-south-africa-amapiano-female-artists/ |archive-date=2023-05-13 |access-date=2023-05-13 |website=HipUpMusic |language=en-US}} In October 2023, the afrobeats and amapiano fusion song "Water" by Tyla gained international prominence following a viral bacardi house dance challenge on social media.{{Cite news |last=Aradi |first=Gloria |date=2023-10-10 |title=South Africa's Tyla makes historic Billboard Hot 100 debut with Water |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-67064396 |access-date=2024-08-04 |language=en-GB |archive-date=10 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231010222338/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-67064396 |url-status=live }} It became the first song by a South African soloist to enter the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 in 55 years,{{cite web |last=Aradi |first=Gloria |date=10 October 2023 |title=South Africa's Tyla makes historic Billboard Hot 100 debut with Water |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-67064396 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231010222338/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-67064396 |archive-date=10 October 2023 |access-date=12 October 2023 |website=BBC News}}{{cite web |last=Ammon |first=Migel |date=20 April 2025 |title=Explore more Amapiano hits here |url=https://www-tubidy.ws/genre/amapiano |url-status=live|website=Online Tubidy Magazine {{!}} Tubidy.ws|language=en-US}} and was a top 10 hit in the United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia, the Netherlands, Sweden and New Zealand, where it reached number one.
International artists
South Korean girl group Le Sserafim took inspiration from amapiano for their track "Smart" off of their third EP, Easy.{{Cite web |last=Delgado |first=Sara |date=2024-02-22 |title=LE SSERAFIM Talk New Mini-Album "Easy" & Coachella 2024 Plans |url=https://www.teenvogue.com/story/le-sserafim-easy-interview |access-date=2024-02-28 |website=Teen Vogue |language=en-US |archive-date=28 February 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240228031209/https://www.teenvogue.com/story/le-sserafim-easy-interview |url-status=live }} Chinese rapper Vinida Weng blended amapiano with Fujianese rap for her track "Waiya!".{{Cite web |last=Olander |first=Eric |date=2024-02-20 |title=Fujianese Rap With a South African House Beat Combine in Vinida Weng's New Song WAIYA! |url=https://chinaglobalsouth.com/2024/02/20/fujianese-rap-with-a-south-african-house-beat-combine-in-vinida-wengs-new-song-waiya/ |access-date=2024-08-02 |website=The China-Global South Project |language=en-US |archive-date=2 August 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240802064317/https://chinaglobalsouth.com/2024/02/20/fujianese-rap-with-a-south-african-house-beat-combine-in-vinida-wengs-new-song-waiya/ |url-status=live }}
See also
References
{{reflist}}
{{African electronic dance music}}
{{Genres of African popular music}}
{{House music}}