What is Amapiano in a Nutshell?
Amapiano is a subgenre of House music that blends sounds of Deep House, jazz, and lounge music with a South African flavor.
The genre, which translates to “the pianos” in Zulu, emerged in the early 2010s. Tracks usually incorporate African rhythms, instruments, and chants, but with a backbeat familiar to House lovers.
Here’s a great example of what Amapiano sounds like:
The History of Amapiano
We can trace Amapiano’s beginnings back to South Africa’s townships. It developed as a mix of local house music styles like Kwaito, along with more traditional genres like Deep House.
Initially an underground movement, producers and DJs experimented with house beats, incorporating jazz and traditional African rhythms. The sound of Amapiano was crafted by blending these elements with piano melodies and rhythmic basslines.
In its early days, Amapiano spread primarily through social media and word of mouth. As it gained momentum, the genre began to dominate the South African music scene and eventually spread to other parts of the continent and beyond.
Many consider Kabza De Small a pioneer of Amapiano music.
In 2018, he released his breakthrough single “Umshove”. Following this release, multiple EPs and tracks of his were certified Platinum and multiple Platinum.
As the genre grew, producers began to experiment with different sounds and styles, incorporating elements from Afrobeat and hip-hop. Social media also played a significant role in the genre’s rise, with Amapiano tracks and dance challenges going viral and further spreading its influence.
Characteristics of Amapiano Music
Unlike other genres of House music such as Tech House, Amapiano utilizes very distinctive sounds that are not heard in other House genres. Let’s explore some of them.
Drums
Amapiano is usually written at 110-115 BPM, which is noticeably slower than most House subgenres. This gives it a slow-paced, groovy vibe.
Despite Amapiano being considered a subgenre of House music, you don’t usually get a 4-on-the-floor beat.
On the contrary, beats are usually syncopated and shuffled. Producers will often integrate more ethnic percussion elements such as congas, shakers, and bongos.
The intro to the track Asibe Happy is a great example of the types of percussion used in Amapiano:
Bass
The bassline in Amapiano is a defining characteristic of the genre.
Producers commonly use the “log drum” sound, which has become synonymous with the genre.
Here’s what it sounds like:
And here’s what it sounds like in context with some drums:
The log drum is a percussive bass that adds a distinct bounce and groove to the track. The pattern is usually syncopated (i.e. off-beat) off the drums. Sample packs will often feature modulated log drums that are pitched up or down.
In modern Amapiano (especially tracks geared for clubs), a sub-bass is often layered underneath to give the bass more weight.
Sampling
Like in most House music genres, sampling is crucial in Amapiano production.
Producers often sample jazz chords, soulful vocals, or traditional African instruments, chopping, looping, and processing them to fit the track. Besides musical samples, many Amapiano tracks feature foley sounds as well. These might include street noises, ambient chatter, nature sounds, and more. This gives an air of authenticity to the music.
In this example, the people talking in the background make it sound like the track was recorded in a busy street market:
Vocals
Vocals in Amapiano are typically used to inject a sense of storytelling into the track.
Tracks often feature lyrics in a mix of languages, primarily Zulu, Xhosa, and Sesotho, which are indigenous languages of South Africa.
English can also be used for tracks aiming for a broader, international audience. Like with other EDM genres, vocals will often be heavily processed with autotune and formant shifting.
However, it’s not uncommon to also have Amapiano tracks without any vocals.
Amapiano Artists You Need to Check Out
Now that we’ve covered what Amapiano is, here are some artists you can check out if you want to dive into the world of Amapiano.
Kabza De Small
Kabza De Small, often referred to as the “King of Amapiano,” is one of the genre’s most influential figures. His collaborations with DJ Maphorisa, another key figure in the genre, have produced some of the biggest hits in Amapiano history.
His debut album, “I am the King of Amapiano: Sweet & Dust” was certified double platinum, debuting on Apple’s Top 30 Album, and was for a time Spotify’s Most streamed South African album in South Africa.
Vigro Deep
Vigro Deep is a key figure in Amapiano, known for his deep, bass-driven sound.
Compared to other producers, he is definitely more experimental, with a style that is closer to Deep House and artists like Maya Jane Coles:
The atmospheres are dark and moody, with tracks often building up over 6 or 7 minutes.
Focalistic
On the other side of the spectrum, Focalistic is known for blending Amapiano sonics with hip hop.
Tracks often feature a blend of English and indigenous languages. His ability to fuse street-smart lyrics with the rhythmic, soulful vibes of Amapiano creates a unique sound that makes his music both distinctive and relatable. This crossover style has set him apart as a versatile and innovative artist in the genre.
That’s it for this Guide!
That’s it for this guide on Amapiano. Hopefully, you now have a better understanding of this unique genre, its most important musical elements, and some key artists.
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