Amapiano - The African Mirror

Apr

2023

Amapiano Awards: South Africa’s dance music scene spreads its joy across the world

IN 2019 amapiano began to dominate South Africa’s dance floors to such an extent that, by 2021, the first South African Amapiano Awards were held to mark the rise of the country’s most infectious new music export. In 2022, the South African dance music genre continued to expand its galloping worldwide reach. The annual awards are now an established event in South Africa’s music calendar. Author SANYA OSHA, Senior Research Fellow, Institute for Humanities in Africa, University of Cape Town Amapiano is a soulful mix of grooves, sonic textures and moods that can be by turns hectic, smooth, melodic or…

Nov

2022

By The African Mirror

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

ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT

THERE'S a lot of hype around amapiano. The South African dance music genre has dominated dancefloors since 2019, spreading from South Africa to West Africa and now to the world. But it’s time to peer through the hype and see if amapiano is able to transition from a cloistered club scene onto a truly global stage in terms of performance strength, conviction and credibility. Kabza de Small, DJ Maphorisa, Major League DJz, DBN Gogo, Lady Du … the list of amapiano stars is growing. Undoubtedly, though, there are concerns regarding the live performances of many. Beyond the gimmicks of slick…

Aug

2021

By The African Mirror

Afrobeat and a growing sense of unity

ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT

SETH ONYANGO, BIRD NEWSROOM WITH the rise of Afrobeat and Amapiano, African pop stars are penetrating the global music scene and changing how the continent’s music is perceived and consumed. Significantly, they are also bringing a sense of unity to the continent. Africa’s rich terrain of musical styles is laden with fascinating genres such as Taarab, Genge, Ndombolo, Rhumba, Bongo, Benga, Kwaito, Amapiano, and Afrobeat. Over the past decade or so, the continent’s music landscape has changed dramatically, with new fusions blended into existing genres to create a magical and unique cocktail. As the music changes so do dance routines,…

Mar

2021

By The African Mirror

Usher’s moves to amapiano drives fans crazy

ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT

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. 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…