Amapiano Explained

Amapiano
Cultural Origins:Mid-2010s (disputed), in Gauteng,

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

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.[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

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.[14] [15] [16] [17]

A popular element of the genre is the use of the log drum (an electronic version of the West African originating log drum),[18] 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."

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] [20]

Subgenres and fusion

Afropiano

See main article: article and 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.[21] [22]

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

See main article: article and 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.[23]

Gqom 2.0

In the mid-2010s circa early 2020s, Gqom 2.0 emerged as a subgenre of gqom,[24] [25] alongside other gqom variants for instance 3-Step and sgubhu.[26] [27] [28] 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 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.

Ojapiano

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.[29] [30] [31] [32]

Popiano

Popiano blends pop with amapiano.[33] 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.[34] 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.[35]

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.[36]

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.[37] [38]

In 2021, an awards ceremony was created that was dedicated to the genre, the South Africa Amapiano Music Awards.[39]

In 2022, the American online music store Beatport added the genre to its platform with its own dedicated charts and playlists.[40]

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.[41]

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.[42] 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.[43] It became the first song by a South African soloist to enter the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 in 55 years,[44] 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.[45] Chinese rapper Vinida Weng blended amapiano with Fujianese rap for her track "Waiya!".[46]

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Prspct . 2018-11-21 . New age house music: the rise of "amapiano" . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20200304172733/https://www.prospect.zone/en/new-age-house-music-the-rise-of-amapiano/ . 4 March 2020 . 2019-10-29 . en-US.
  2. Web site: Shumba . Ano . 2019-08-09 . Top amapiano songs of 2019 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20190809154153/https://www.musicinafrica.net/magazine/top-amapiano-songs-2019 . 9 August 2019 . 2024-06-22 . Music In Africa . en.
  3. Web site: Reporter . Citizen . 2019-11-08 . Amapiano tracks that should be on your playlist this summer . 2024-07-13 . The Citizen . en . 13 July 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240713084201/https://www.citizen.co.za/entertainment/amapiano-tracks-that-should-be-on-your-playlist-this-summer/ . live .
  4. News: 7 June 2019 . The Rise of Amapiano . live . 7 June 2019 . The Chronicle . 28 July 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190728195549/https://www.chronicle.co.zw/new-age-house-music-the-rise-of-amapiano/ .
  5. Web site: Selaluke . Stephen . 29 August 2020 . Bacardi music back due to popular demand . 2 July 2021 . The Citizen . 8 November 2023 . 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 . dead .
  6. Web site: Miya . Madzadza . 18 July 2022 . Bacardi House-Tinged Amapiano Is Setting the Streets Ablaze - Okayplayer . 2024-08-04 . OkayAfrica . en . 16 July 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240716162112/https://www.okayafrica.com/amapiano-bacardi-house-south-africa/ . live .
  7. Web site: Amapiano: a township sound with staying power. TimesLIVE. en-ZA. 2019-10-29. 29 October 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20191029004509/https://www.timeslive.co.za/sunday-times/lifestyle/2019-07-07-amapiano-a-township-sound-with-staying-power/. live.
  8. Web site: Joyce . Liam Karabo . Meet the vocalist featured on the biggest amapiano tracks . Independent Online . 1 November 2019 . 23 October 2019 . 8 June 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240608111151/https://www.iol.co.za/entertainment/music/local/meet-the-vocalist-featured-on-the-biggest-amapiano-tracks-35610310 . live .
  9. Web site: Amapiano a new movement... Period. SowetanLIVE. en-ZA. 2019-10-29. 21 April 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210421225724/https://www.sowetanlive.co.za/sundayworld/lifestyle/2019-05-28-amapiano-a-new-movement-period/. live.
  10. Web site: 2019-10-02 . Charting the Meteoric Rise of South Africa's AmaPiano . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20191029121014/https://newsroom.spotify.com/2019-10-02/charting-the-meteoric-rise-of-south-africas-amapiano/ . 29 October 2019 . 2019-10-29 . Spotify . en-US.
  11. Web site: 30 September 2020 . Amapiano: What is it all about? . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240804095811/https://www.musicinafrica.net/magazine/amapiano-what-it-all-about . 4 August 2024 . 2021-01-30 . musicinafrica.net.
  12. Mohlomi . Setumo-Thebe . 2021-07-27 . 8 Things To Know About South Africa's Amapiano Genre: A Local's Guide to the Scene . 2024-07-13 . Billboard . en-US . 4 August 2024 . 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/ . live .
  13. Web site: Brown . Daryl . 2022-02-15 . How 'Amapiano', South Africa's soulful sound, has become one of the hottest new music genres . 2024-07-13 . CNN . en . 23 June 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230623074956/https://www.cnn.com/2022/02/15/africa/amapiano-south-africa-music-genre-origins-spc-intl/index.html . live .
  14. Web site: The Yanos Plug: Amapiano to The World . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240608111155/https://theyanosplug.com/about-us/ . 8 June 2024 . 2021-10-29 . The Yanos Plug . en-ZA.
  15. Web site: 2019-12-17 . The 10 Best Amapiano Songs of 2019 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20200329153415/https://www.okayafrica.com/amapiano-best-songs-2019/ . 29 March 2020 . 2020-03-29 . OkayAfrica . en.
  16. Web site: Kriger . Themba . 2024-04-25 . How Amapiano Took Over The World . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240428014854/https://www.redbull.com/za-en/amapiano-history . 28 April 2024 . 2024-06-24 . Red Bull . en.
  17. Web site: Amapiano's Second Wave: How innovations emerge from Black South African culture . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240618112246/https://mixmag.net/feature/amapiano-second-wave-black-south-africa-culture-innovation-townships . 18 June 2024 . 2024-06-27 . Mixmag.
  18. Book: Kalani . World Rhythms! Arts Program presents West African Drum & Dance: A Yankadi-Macrou Celebration . Camara . Ryan M. . Alfred Music . 978-1-4574-2233-1 . 19 . en.
  19. Web site: Soundcity . 2017-08-21 . New Music: Ric Hassani ft. Mumba Yachi - Sweet Mother Pre-Order "The African Gentleman" . 2024-08-04 . Soundcity . en-US . 4 August 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240804095809/https://soundcity.tv/new-music-ric-hassani-ft-mumba-yachi-sweet-mother-pre-order-the-african-gentleman/ . live .
  20. How Far Can Amapiano Go?. The New Yorker. en. 2023-08-01. 1 August 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230801164543/https://www.newyorker.com/culture/culture-desk/how-far-can-amapiano-go. live.
  21. Web site: Staff . Daily Post . 2023-04-19 . Top 6 Nigerian amapiano songs . 2024-06-27 . Daily Post Nigeria . en-US . 7 January 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240107165333/https://dailypost.ng/2023/04/19/top-6-nigerian-amapiano-songs/ . live .
  22. Web site: Online . Tribune . 2021-11-23 . How I pioneered Afropiano sound with L.A.X's monster record 'GO LOW' ― Hit maker, Clemzy . 2024-06-27 . Tribune Online . en-GB . 7 January 2024 . 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/ . live .
  23. Web site: Digital . Standard . BongoPiano: The musical crossover that has everyone dancing . 2024-08-01 . Standard Entertainment . en . 15 January 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240115002636/https://www.standardmedia.co.ke/entertainment/news/article/2001479603/bongopiano-the-musical-crossover-that-has-everyone-dancing . live .
  24. Web site: Dazed . 2021-10-22 . Dazed Mix: DJ Lag . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20231211125424/https://www.dazeddigital.com/music/article/54567/1/dazed-mix-dj-lag . 11 December 2023 . 2024-06-27 . Dazed . en.
  25. Web site: 2021-12-16 . DJ Lag is one step closer to Meeting with the King . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20211216132759/https://pan-african-music.com/en/dj-lag-raptor/ . 16 December 2021 . 2024-06-27 . PAM - Pan African Music . en-US.
  26. Web site: Murphy . Ben . 2016-01-05 . Gqom: A deeper look at South Africa's new generation of house . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240520141738/https://www.factmag.com/2016/01/05/gqom-feature/ . 20 May 2024 . 2024-06-27 . Fact Magazine . en-US.
  27. Web site: Sound (RPS) . Radio Primavera . 2019 . Gqom Fridays 1x06 Sgubhu and 3-step . 2024-08-04 . Mixcloud . 27 July 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240727040426/https://www.mixcloud.com/RadioPrimaveraSound/unknown-gqom-fridays-1x06-sgubhu-and-3-step/ . live .
  28. Web site: Interview: DJ Lag is Firm on Taking Gqom To The Rest of the World - Okayplayer . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20201217171053/https://www.okayafrica.com/dj-lag-firm-taking-gqom-to-the-world/ . 17 December 2020 . 2024-06-27 . OkayAfrica . en.
  29. Web site: Esomnofu . Emmanuel . 2023-06-16 . Exploring "Ojapiano" & The Evolution of Nigeria's Most Spiritual Flute . 2023-12-19 . The NATIVE . en-US . 19 December 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231219015553/https://thenativemag.com/ojapiano-spiritual-flute/ . live .
  30. Web site: Ibeh . Ifeanyi . 2024-03-25 . Snazzy the Optimist Introduces Fresh Sound with New Tune 'Asa' . 2024-04-05 . The Guardian . en-US . 31 March 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240331032809/https://guardian.ng/saturday-magazine/snazzy-the-optimist-introduces-fresh-sound-with-new-tune-asa/ . live .
  31. Web site: Omenye . Alex . 2023-11-03 . Kcee And Oxlade Anchor on Hope In "I Pray" . 2024-04-05 . The Culture Custodian (Est. 2014.) . en-GB . 5 April 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240405231626/https://culturecustodian.com/kcee-and-oxlade-anchors-on-hope-in-i-pray/ . live .
  32. Web site: Kcee to feature One Republic on Ojapiano remix . 2024-04-05 . NotjustOk . 2 February 2024 . en-US . 5 April 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240405230226/https://notjustok.com/news/kcee-to-feature-one-republic-on-ojapiano-remix/ . live .
  33. Web site: Gyre . S’bo . 2024-02-11 . Tyla: The ascent of the queen of popiano . 2024-06-30 . Daily Maverick . en . 23 March 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240323134919/https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2024-02-11-tyla-the-ascent-of-the-queen-of-popiano/ . live .
  34. Mamo . Heran . 2023-10-31 . From a 'Normal Girl in South Africa' to a Rising 'Popiano' Star, Tyla is Making Major Waves with 'Water' . 2024-06-30 . Billboard . en-US . 1 November 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231101100036/https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/tyla-water-rb-hip-hop-rookie-of-the-month-october-1235449715/ . live .
  35. Web site: 2022-11-24 . Meet the instrumentalists of amapiano . 2024-08-14 . PAM - Pan African Music . en-US . 22 May 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240522143008/https://pan-african-music.com/en/instrumentalists-of-amapiano/ . live .
  36. Web site: Amapiano’s Second Wave: How kwaito opened the door for amapiano’s evolutions . 2024-08-14 . Mixmag . 12 July 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240712165247/https://mixmag.net/feature/amapiano-second-wave-south-africa-apartheid-kwaito-evolution-series . live .
  37. Web site: 2019 The Year Of The Yanos, How Amapiano Blow up. Machaieie. Mario. 2019-10-21. Online Youth Magazine Zkhiphani.com. en-US. 2019-10-29. 29 October 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20191029125808/https://www.zkhiphani.co.za/2019-the-year-of-the-yanos-how-amapiano-blow-up/. live.
  38. Web site: behappy . 2024-01-02 . Best Amapiano Songs Of 2024 January . 2024-06-27 . AFROHITS MAGAZINE . en-US . 23 February 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240223154244/https://afrohits.net/best-amapiano-songs-of-2024-january/ . live .
  39. Web site: Langa . Phumlani S. . Mzansi's first amapiano awards have social media abuzz . 2023-02-21 . City Press . en-US . 21 February 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230221183545/https://www.news24.com/citypress/trending/mzansis-first-amapiano-awards-have-social-media-abuzz-20210724 . live .
  40. Beatport Adds South Africa's Amapiano Genre To Its Platform. Bain. Katie. 2022-05-05. Billboard. en-US. 2022-09-02. 2 September 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220902194604/https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/beatport-south-africa-amapiano-genre-1235067098/amp/. live.
  41. Web site: 2022-09-19 . The evolution of amapiano . 2023-08-07 . The Mail & Guardian . en-ZA . 7 August 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230807134935/https://mg.co.za/friday/2022-09-19-the-evolution-of-amapiano/ . live .
  42. Web site: 5 Recognized South Africa Amapiano Female Artists . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230513183248/https://hipupmusic.com/editorial/5-recognized-south-africa-amapiano-female-artists/ . 2023-05-13 . 2023-05-13 . HipUpMusic . en-US.
  43. News: Aradi . Gloria . 2023-10-10 . South Africa's Tyla makes historic Billboard Hot 100 debut with Water . 2024-08-04 . en-GB . 10 October 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231010222338/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-67064396 . live .
  44. Web site: Aradi . Gloria . 10 October 2023 . South Africa's Tyla makes historic Billboard Hot 100 debut with Water . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20231010222338/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-67064396 . 10 October 2023 . 12 October 2023 . BBC News.
  45. Web site: Delgado . Sara . 2024-02-22 . LE SSERAFIM Talk New Mini-Album "Easy" & Coachella 2024 Plans . 2024-02-28 . Teen Vogue . en-US . 28 February 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240228031209/https://www.teenvogue.com/story/le-sserafim-easy-interview . live .
  46. Web site: Olander . Eric . 2024-02-20 . Fujianese Rap With a South African House Beat Combine in Vinida Weng’s New Song WAIYA! . 2024-08-02 . The China-Global South Project . en-US . 2 August 2024 . 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/ . live .

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