Amapiano

Subgenre of house and Kwaito music from South Africa

For the song by Asake and Olamide, see Amapiano (song).

Amapiano

Stylistic origins|

* Kwaito
* gqom
* deep house
* jazz
* soul
* lounge

Cultural origins| Mid-2010s (disputed), in Gauteng,
Typical instruments|

* Piano
* drums
* synthesiser

Subgenres

* S'gija
* Private School
* Quantum Sound
* Bique

Fusion genres

* Afropiano
* Bongopiano
* New Age Bacardi
* Ojapiano
* Popiano

Local scenes

* Pretoria, Soweto, Alexandra, Katlehong, Vosloorus

Other topics

* Afro fusion
* Shangaan electro

Amapiano, a South African music genre taken from the Zulu word for "pianos", is a subgenre of kwaito and house music that emerged in South Africa in the mid-2010s. It is a hybrid of deep house, gqom, jazz, soul and lounge music characterized by synths and wide, percussive basslines.

## Origins

[edit]

There is ambiguity and debate concerning its origins, with various accounts of the musical styles in the Johannesburg townships.[1][2][3][4] Because it has some similarities with bacardi house,[5][6] some people assert the genre began in Pretoria but it remains uncertain.[7][8][9] Various accounts of who formed the popular genre make it impossible to accurately pinpoint its origins.[4][10]

The word amapiano is a Zulu word that can be loosely translated to "the pianos",[11][12][13] The genre is mostly sung in one of South Africa's indigenous languages such as Zulu, Xhosa, and Southern Sotho , Northern Sotho, Setswana, English, Xitsonga, Tshivenda.

## Description

[edit]

Amapiano is distinguished by piano melodies, deep house, soul, kwaito and log drum (krin) 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.[14][3][15][16][17][5]

An important element of the genre is the prevalent use of the "log drum" (an electronic version of the West African originating log drum),[18][19] 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."[20]

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).[19][21][18]

## Subgenres and fusion

[edit]

### Afropiano

[edit]

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.[22][23]

### Bongopiano

[edit]

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.[24]

### Gqom 2.0

[edit]

In the mid-2010s circa early 2020s, Gqom 2.0 emerged as a subgenre of gqom,[25][26] alongside other gqom variants for instance 3-Step and sgubhu.[27][28][29] Gqom 2.0 is distinguished by a slowed-down tempo fused with elements of amapiano, afrohouse and afrotech.[26]

### New Age Bacardi

[edit]

See also: DJ Spoko and 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.[6]

### Ojapiano

[edit]

Not to be confused with Ọjà or 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.[30][31][32][33]

### Popiano

[edit]

Popiano blends pop with amapiano.[34] 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.[35] Since popiano's inception Tyla has been deemed "The Queen of Popiano".[34]

## Popularity

[edit]

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.[36][37]

In 2021, an awards ceremony was created that was dedicated to the genre, the South Africa Amapiano Music Awards.[38]

In 2022, the American online music store Beatport added the genre to its platform with its own dedicated charts and playlists.[39]

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.[40]

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?][41] 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.[42] It became the first song by a South African soloist to enter the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 in 55 years,[43] and was a top 10 hit in the United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia, the Netherlands, Sweden and New Zealand, where it reached number one.[44]

## International artists

[edit]

South Korean girl group Le Sserafim took inspiration from amapiano for their track "Smart" off of their third EP, Easy.[45] Chinese rapper Vinida Weng blended amapiano with Fujianese rap for her track "Waiya!".[46]

## See also

[edit]

* List of South African musicians

## References

[edit]

1. ^ Prspct (21 November 2018). "New age house music: the rise of "amapiano"". Archived from the original on 4 March 2020. Retrieved 29 October 2019.
2. ^ Shumba, Ano (9 August 2019). "Top amapiano songs of 2019". Music In Africa. Archived from the original on 9 August 2019. Retrieved 22 June 2024.
3. ^ a b Reporter, Citizen (8 November 2019). "Amapiano tracks that should be on your playlist this summer". The Citizen. Archived from the original on 13 July 2024. Retrieved 13 July 2024.
4. ^ a b "The Rise of Amapiano". The Chronicle. 7 June 2019. Archived from the original on 28 July 2019. Retrieved 7 June 2019.
5. ^ a b Selaluke, Stephen (29 August 2020). "Bacardi music back due to popular demand". The Citizen. Archived from the original on 8 November 2023. Retrieved 2 July 2021.
6. ^ a b Miya, Madzadza (18 July 2022). "Bacardi House-Tinged Amapiano Is Setting the Streets Ablaze - Okayplayer". OkayAfrica. Archived from the original on 16 July 2024. Retrieved 4 August 2024.
7. ^ "Amapiano: a township sound with staying power". TimesLIVE. Archived from the original on 29 October 2019. Retrieved 29 October 2019.
8. ^ Joyce, Liam Karabo (23 October 2019). "Meet the vocalist featured on the biggest amapiano tracks". Independent Online. Archived from the original on 8 June 2024. Retrieved 1 November 2019.
9. ^ "Amapiano a new movement... Period". SowetanLIVE. Archived from the original on 21 April 2021. Retrieved 29 October 2019.
10. ^ "Charting the Meteoric Rise of South Africa's AmaPiano". Spotify. 2 October 2019. Archived from the original on 29 October 2019. Retrieved 29 October 2019.
11. ^ "Amapiano: What is it all about?". musicinafrica.net. 30 September 2020. Archived from the original on 4 August 2024. Retrieved 30 January 2021.
12. ^ Mohlomi, Setumo-Thebe (27 July 2021). "8 Things To Know About South Africa's Amapiano Genre: A Local's Guide to the Scene". Billboard. Archived from the original on 4 August 2024. Retrieved 13 July 2024.
13. ^ Brown, Daryl (15 February 2022). "How 'Amapiano', South Africa's soulful sound, has become one of the hottest new music genres". CNN. Archived from the original on 23 June 2023. Retrieved 13 July 2024.
14. ^ "The Yanos Plug: Amapiano to The World". The Yanos Plug. Archived from the original on 8 June 2024. Retrieved 29 October 2021.
15. ^ "The 10 Best Amapiano Songs of 2019". OkayAfrica. 17 December 2019. Archived from the original on 29 March 2020. Retrieved 29 March 2020.
16. ^ Kriger, Themba (25 April 2024). "How Amapiano Took Over The World". Red Bull. Archived from the original on 28 April 2024. Retrieved 24 June 2024.
17. ^ "Amapiano's Second Wave: How innovations emerge from Black South African culture". Mixmag. Archived from the original on 18 June 2024. Retrieved 27 June 2024.
18. ^ a b "How Far Can Amapiano Go?". The New Yorker. Archived from the original on 1 August 2023. Retrieved 1 August 2023.
19. ^ a b Kalani; Camara, Ryan M. World Rhythms! Arts Program presents West African Drum & Dance: A Yankadi-Macrou Celebration. Alfred Music. p. 19\. ISBN 978-1-4574-2233-1.
20. ^ "Kabza De Small and MDU aka TRP set to release 50-track album [listen]", 5 November 2021, archived from the original on 11 January 2022, retrieved 10 January 2022
21. ^ Soundcity (21 August 2017). "New Music: Ric Hassani ft. Mumba Yachi - Sweet Mother | Pre-Order "The African Gentleman"". Soundcity. Archived from the original on 4 August 2024. Retrieved 4 August 2024.
22. ^ Staff, Daily Post (19 April 2023). "Top 6 Nigerian amapiano songs". Daily Post Nigeria. Archived from the original on 7 January 2024. Retrieved 27 June 2024.
23. ^ Online, Tribune (23 November 2021). "How I pioneered Afropiano sound with L.A.X's monster record 'GO LOW' ― Hit maker, Clemzy". Tribune Online. Archived from the original on 7 January 2024. Retrieved 27 June 2024.
24. ^ Digital, Standard. "BongoPiano: The musical crossover that has everyone dancing". Standard Entertainment. Archived from the original on 15 January 2024. Retrieved 1 August 2024.
25. ^ Dazed (22 October 2021). "Dazed Mix: DJ Lag". Dazed. Archived from the original on 11 December 2023. Retrieved 27 June 2024.
26. ^ a b "DJ Lag is one step closer to Meeting with the King". PAM - Pan African Music. 16 December 2021. Archived from the original on 16 December 2021. Retrieved 27 June 2024.
27. ^ Murphy, Ben (5 January 2016). "Gqom: A deeper look at South Africa's new generation of house". Fact Magazine. Archived from the original on 20 May 2024. Retrieved 27 June 2024.
28. ^ Sound (RPS), Radio Primavera (2019). "Gqom Fridays 1x06 Sgubhu and 3-step". Mixcloud. Archived from the original on 27 July 2024. Retrieved 4 August 2024.
29. ^ "Interview: DJ Lag is Firm on Taking Gqom To The Rest of the World - Okayplayer". OkayAfrica. Archived from the original on 17 December 2020. Retrieved 27 June 2024.
30. ^ Esomnofu, Emmanuel (16 June 2023). "Exploring "Ojapiano" & The Evolution of Nigeria's Most Spiritual Flute". The NATIVE. Archived from the original on 19 December 2023. Retrieved 19 December 2023.
31. ^ Ibeh, Ifeanyi (25 March 2024). "Snazzy the Optimist Introduces Fresh Sound with New Tune 'Asa'". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 31 March 2024. Retrieved 5 April 2024.
32. ^ Omenye, Alex (3 November 2023). "Kcee And Oxlade Anchor on Hope In "I Pray"". The Culture Custodian (Est. 2014.). Archived from the original on 5 April 2024. Retrieved 5 April 2024.
33. ^ "Kcee to feature One Republic on Ojapiano remix". NotjustOk. 2 February 2024. Archived from the original on 5 April 2024. Retrieved 5 April 2024.
34. ^ a b Gyre, S’bo (11 February 2024). "Tyla: The ascent of the queen of popiano". Daily Maverick. Archived from the original on 23 March 2024. Retrieved 30 June 2024.
35. ^ Mamo, Heran (31 October 2023). "From a 'Normal Girl in South Africa' to a Rising 'Popiano' Star, Tyla is Making Major Waves with 'Water'". Billboard. Archived from the original on 1 November 2023. Retrieved 30 June 2024.
36. ^ Machaieie, Mario (21 October 2019). "2019 The Year Of The Yanos, How Amapiano Blow up". Online Youth Magazine | Zkhiphani.com. Archived from the original on 29 October 2019. Retrieved 29 October 2019.
37. ^ behappy (2 January 2024). "Best Amapiano Songs Of 2024 January". AFROHITS MAGAZINE. Archived from the original on 23 February 2024. Retrieved 27 June 2024.
38. ^ Langa, Phumlani S. "Mzansi's first amapiano awards have social media abuzz". City Press. Archived from the original on 21 February 2023. Retrieved 21 February 2023.
39. ^ Bain, Katie (5 May 2022). "Beatport Adds South Africa's Amapiano Genre To Its Platform". Billboard. Archived from the original on 2 September 2022. Retrieved 2 September 2022.
40. ^ "The evolution of amapiano". The Mail & Guardian. 19 September 2022. Archived from the original on 7 August 2023. Retrieved 7 August 2023.
41. ^ "5 Recognized South Africa Amapiano Female Artists". HipUpMusic. Archived from the original on 13 May 2023. Retrieved 13 May 2023.
42. ^ Aradi, Gloria (10 October 2023). "South Africa's Tyla makes historic Billboard Hot 100 debut with Water". Archived from the original on 10 October 2023. Retrieved 4 August 2024.
43. ^ Aradi, Gloria (10 October 2023). "South Africa's Tyla makes historic Billboard Hot 100 debut with Water". BBC News. Archived from the original on 10 October 2023. Retrieved 12 October 2023.
44. ^ "Water (Tyla song)", Wikipedia, 1 November 2023, archived from the original on 8 June 2024, retrieved 1 November 2023
45. ^ Delgado, Sara (22 February 2024). "LE SSERAFIM Talk New Mini-Album "Easy" & Coachella 2024 Plans". Teen Vogue. Archived from the original on 28 February 2024. Retrieved 28 February 2024.
46. ^ Olander, Eric (20 February 2024). "Fujianese Rap With a South African House Beat Combine in Vinida Weng's New Song WAIYA!". The China-Global South Project. Archived from the original on 2 August 2024. Retrieved 2 August 2024.

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Genres|

| Central Africa|

* Kuduro

|

East Africa|

* Kidandali
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Northern Africa|

Mahraganat

Southern Africa|

* Afro house
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West Africa|

* Afrobeats (Azonto)
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See also|

* Afrobeat
* Hiplife

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Genres of African popular music

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|

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Related topics|

| Genres|

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|

Dance moves|

* Electro dance
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* Jacking

Other|

* DJ
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