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Usher’s moves to amapiano drives fans crazy

AFRICAN MIRROR REPORTER

USHER has lit up social media with his crazy dance moves to amapiano. 

The ‘Yeah’ singer went viral on Twitter and Instagram when South African fans noticed that the singer’s post on Instagram featured a popular amapiano song called ‘Sponono’ by DJs Kabza De Small and Maphorisa. 

The video showed Usher dressed in a vibrant Versace outfit while dancing to ‘Sponono’ for a magazine shoot for European fashion magazine L’Officiel Hommes Italia. 

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Amapiano is a hybrid of deep house, jazz and lounge music characterized by high-pitched piano melodies, percussions, Kwaito bassline and low tempo 90s South African house rhythms.

The hit song ‘Sponono’ features South African artists Cassper Nyovest and Madumane; and Nigerian vocalists Burna Boy and Wizkid. 

DJ Maphorisa posted his reaction to the video on Twitter, writing that amapiano was beginning to blow up, and that now was SA’s time to shine.

“I saw amapiano going big in dreams, I felt it. Sauta, it’s our time ereng voice ya Madumane ko ig ya Usher mara he,” Maphorisa tweeted.

https://twitter.com/DjMaphorisa/status/1376540788939763713?s=20
DJs Kabza De Small (left) and Maphorisa (right). Picture: Instagram/djmaphorisa

Other fans and African celebrities chimed in on the excitement, either sharing their love for the songs featured on Versace’s advert, or complimenting Usher on his crazy dance moves. 

Rapper Cassper Nyovest wrote “@Usher vibing to sponono on his Instagram. Mapiano to the world!!!”

https://twitter.com/casspernyovest/status/1376564869407895554?s=20

Refentse Magwaca tweeted: “Whether they believe it or not, you elevated amapiano and made it more marketable and more  commercial, you should be proud of yourself king”

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https://twitter.com/MagwacaRefentse/status/1376655584318128129?s=20

Manaileng wrote “The content I signed up for: South African musicians taking over the world and featuring on Reels, IG stories and TikTok videos of their fellow international entertainers and artists.

“Today, Usher is using Kabza da Small song. Just the other day it was Alicia Keys and Diddy playing Focalistic.”

https://twitter.com/_manaileng/status/1376297416798920704?s=20

Usher is not the only American musician to be enthralled by the sounds of amapiano. 

Rapper and business mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs shared footage of himself dancing to South African rapper Focalistic’s hit single  ‘Ke Star’, while on holiday with his family on Instagram. 

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When notified about the Comb’s moves, Focalistic responded with: “Dankie Modimo! Diddy playing Ke Star on his IG stories! Ase trap tse ke pina tsa ko kasi (trap music is kasi music).”

There was another video that surfaced of Diddy jamming to one of Kabza De Small’s amapiano hits. The nod came as a surprise to many.

Many South Africans took to Diddy’s comments to praise him for showing his love for the genre and the country. Kabza also commented on Instagram, saying “Amapiano to the world. Danko grootman”.

New York producer Swizz Beatz has also shared his love for South African music, adding songs by Kabza De Small, Maphorisa, Cassper Nyovest and Black Coffee to his personal playlists – that he shares via his Instagram stories – and on public playlists for his fans.

READ:  South Africa’s dance music craze, amapiano, could conquer the world – if its stars step up

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By The African Mirror

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