Digging for Gold: South African Amapiano
You asked, we delivered.
Digging for Gold is HYPEBEAST’s monthly playlist series that highlights regions across the world and the genres that come out of them. By putting together a mix of essentials and hidden gems, we hope to add to how you discover music and to deliver the thrill of finding new tracks.
With summer still in full swing, we’re taking it to the dance floor with South African Amapiano. For those who are slightly unfamiliar, the relatively new subgenre is rooted in house and electronic music, but is unique to the country with its incorporation of keyboard grooves (hence its name, which means “the pianos” in Zulu), lively Afro percussion, infectious beats and punchy basslines.
Otherwise known as The Yanos, Amapiano is considered to be one of the country’s greatest music exports. Big names who have lit the path include JazziDisciples, Kabza De Small, MFR Souls, DJ Maphorisa, Sha Sha and Busiswa, just to name a few. At the same time, newer acts like FOCALISTIC, Kamo Mphela, Semi Tee, Kamu Dee and Miano are some of the trailblazers who are pushing the genre forward.
Amapiano is gradually taking off as an internationally recognized movement but will always embody the incomparable energy, spirit and heartbeat of its people. From Pretoria to Cape Town, the genre stretches beyond its feel good factor and offers the freedom for listeners to cast aside worries as they dance away.
With that in mind, listen to some Mzansi magic below.
