This Is Amapiano - the world's fastest growing music genre

Described as one of the hottest music genres around today, Amapiano is taking over the world.

To find out more, BBC 1Xtra travelled to its spiritual home, South Africa, to explore the genre's past, present and future.

A special 1Xtra documentary, This Is Amapiano, talks to the DJs, producers and dancers that make up the culture - plus 1Xtra's very own DJ Edu and Jeremiah Asiamah - and delves into what makes Amapiano so special...

Scroll down to watch the documentary and to see why we think Amapiano is a vibe.

To hear more, 1Xtra is devoting a whole weekend to Afro Sounds (2nd-4th June 2023), featuring the biggest music from across Africa. Listen live or catch up with all the shows here.

Amapiano started in the streets of South Africa in townships like Soweto, Alexandra and Victoria - which have a rich history of racial adversity, uprising and spirituality, joy and South African pride - all embodied in the genre's sound.

What is Amapiano? Translated from Zulu, Amapiano means 'the piano' and originates from South Africa's Kwaito sound. According to 1Xtra's Eddie Kadi, Amapiano is a unique South African sound created by a group of people with powerful stories to share, and it has made a global impact.

The documentary describes Amapiano as 'African dance music' and a blend of jazz, hip-hop, soul, and slowed-down house music. One key element of the Amapiano genre is the prominent use of the log drum, which is present throughout the music. Radio host and This Is Amapiano presenter Kutloana 'Da Kruk' Nhlapo explains that the log drum provides a raw bassline with a heavy kick drum effect that distinguishes Amapiano from other genres.

The women of Amapiano, from DJs to dancers, play a crucial role in the culture. Prominent figures in the genre include DJs Uncle Waffles, DBN Gogo, and duo TxC, as well as singers and dancers Kamo Mphela and Sha Sha.

DJ, DBN Gogo

DJ DBN Gogo, recognized as one of the leading DJs and cultural influencers in Amapiano, constantly creates viral dance moves and delivers remarkable DJ sets. The impact of women in Amapiano is undeniable, as they propel the genre to new heights. DJ Giggla, an Amapiano DJ based in London, acknowledges the current dominance of women in the scene, stating, "Women are shutting down the scene right now! Women in all genres are excelling. It's refreshing to see. I feel like women DJs have a hidden advantage in that they know which songs make other women move!"

Amapiano is here to stay, making waves in the music world at an unprecedented pace. Originating from the streets of South Africa, it has garnered a massive following, and the UK is one of its biggest fan bases.

Amapiano's global appeal has led to the creation of its first music festival, AMA Fest, outside of South Africa, right here in the UK. John Jr, one of the festival's co-founders, explains, "I witnessed the rise of Amapiano while I was in Ghana in 2020, and I was captivated by the joyous music and the genre's love for dance. I wanted to take it to the next level, beyond a mere club night. Considering the COVID situation, we decided to organize a festival. It was crucial for us to bring the stars of Amapiano from South Africa to the UK for AMA Fest. It was the only way!"

The viral dance moves associated with Amapiano have played a significant role in popularizing the genre. Moves like Umlando, Vosho, Pouncing Cat, and Gwara Gwara have become sensations, with platforms like TikTok showcasing the latest dances, often becoming as big as the songs they were created for.

What lies ahead for Amapiano? As DJ and producer Mr JazziQ states, "Amapiano is destined to become one of the biggest genres in the world. Nothing can stop it!"

Want some Amapiano in your life? Make sure you have these three songs in your playlist:

1. Uncle Waffles - Yahyuppiyah

Lungelihle Zwane, also known as Uncle Waffles, is a prominent DJ in the genre. She has gained popularity and performed at numerous global festivals. Recent song 'Yahyuppiyah' combines tribal bass-heavy beats with a hypnotic soul.

2. Costa Titch & Diamond Platnumz - Superstar

The late rapper Costantinos Tsobanoglou, aka Costa Titch - who sadly passed away in March 2023 - collaborated with Tanzanian musician Diamond Platnumz to create 'Superstar'. Amapiano at its best, 'Superstar' showcases the flourishing talent of Costa and what was to come before his untimely passing.

3. Asake & Olamide - Amapiano

While Nigeria is one of the founding pillars of Afrobeats, it hasn't stopped Nigerian artists paying homage to the South African genre of Amapiano. Asake and Olamide created their own ode to 'Piano with the simply titled track 'Amapiano'.