drowning in a blissful ocean of log drums and keys: 🎹🎹 amapiano a-z 🎹🎹 an ilm poll

here are all 29* tracks with their full track info (in the options list only the first-listed main artist is indicated) and a YouTube link to the full-length track (plus a Spotify playlist right behind it):
note: I added a number track plus a couple of bonus tracks for the M: for mmmmm, piano, innit?

“3310” by Focalistic ft. Mellow & Sleazy & Madumane
”Asijabule” by Vigro Deep ft. Murumba Pitch & Lady Du
”Bathini” by Kabza De Small ft. Young Stunna & Artwork Sounds
“Crush Yam” by T-Man SA ft. Gugu & MFR Souls
”Dangerous” by MDU aka TRP ft. Mthunzi, MJ & Semi Tee
”Eningi” by Kabza De Small ft. Mhaw Keys, Njelic & Simmy
”Feeling” by Mapara A Jazz ft. Mr Brown
”Gijima (Vocal Mix)” by DJ Black Low ft. Statah & Daff Gee
”Hamba Nobani” by Boohle ft. Busta 929, Reece Madlisa & Zuma
”Isphithiphithi” by Pabi Cooper ft. Reece Madlisa, Busta 929 & Joocy
”Jozi Night” by GemValleyMusiQ ft. Officixl Rsa, Djy Fresh & S Kay De Vibe
”Korobela” by DJ Sumbody ft. Drip Gogo & The Lowkeys
”Lwangempela” by Tee Jay ft. Basetsana, Lucille Slade, Makwa, Moscow & Le Sax
”Madiba” by HennyBeLit ft. TBO & Mfana Kah Gogo
”Madlamini” by Kelvin Momo ft. Sino Msolo
”Mmapula” by Busta 929 ft. Mzu M
”Ngoxolo” by Theology HD ft. Aymos & MuziQALsthesh
”Obrigado” by Da Muziqal Chef ft. Murumba Pitch & Kabza De Small
”Paris” by Q-Mark ft. TpZee, Afriikan Papi & Cloud9ne
”Qo Qo Qo” by Obeey Amor ft. T-Man SA, Bassie & Lady Du
”Risasekile” by Aymos ft. Mas Musiq & TO Starquality
”Sika Bopha” by Ntokzin ft. BoiBizza
”Trigger” by DJ Karri ft. BL Zero, Lebzito & Prime De 1st
”Uzozisola” by Mas Musiq ft. Aymos, Kabza De Small & DJ Maphorisa
”Vula Mlomo” by Musa Keys ft. Sir Trill & Nobantu Vilakazi
”Wamuhle” by Njelic ft. Boohle, Da Muziqal Chef & De Mthuda
”Xigubhu” by Welle SA ft. Citykingrsa
”Yini Sdakwa” by ThackzinDJ ft. TeeJay, Sir Trill, Dlala Thukzin, Nkosazana_Daughter, Rascoe Kaos, Moscow & Mpura
”Ziwa Ngale” by Kabza De Small ft. DJ Tira, Young Stunna, Dladla Mshunqisi, Felo Le Tee, Beast & Dj Exit_sa

here's that Spotify playlist with every single entry/option:
amapiano a-z ilm poll

here’s that Spotify playlist with every single entry/option once more, this time with added keys:

amapiano a-z 🎹🎹 ilm poll

…and a very recent BBC documentary on amapiano to get you in the mood:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ou0luMrf1mU

(it’s very solid, but has its own significant omissions - just checking it against my A-Z list makes that clear)

Good work!

Cool! Cheers for this.

I happen to only know a handful of thse too, so it'll be nice to investigate. For what it's worth, my amapiano listening has only increased this year, and I've noticed a lot of DJ friends in Bristol have picked up on it and are playing it out. We've even got a dedicated night now!

I happen to only know a handful of thse too, so it'll be nice to investigate. For what it's worth, my amapiano listening has only increased this year, and I've noticed a lot of DJ friends in Bristol have picked up on it and are playing it out. We've even got a dedicated night now!

yes, it’s getting bigger and bigger worlwide (just like afropop/afrobeats before it

a Dutch example: in a recent interview with one of our newspapers, S10, who represented NL at Eurovision this year and who is a hip and happening girl, was asked about (I think) her favourite summer things, and of those turned out to be “dancing to amapiano”.

excellent work. gonna listen to all these. i knew only a handful.

Yeah cheers for organising this, I do enjoy me some amapiano whenever I hear it but couldn't name a single artist or track off the top of my head

Thanks for this, will be firing up this week!

I have to say, it would help if the vast majority of ama tracks weren't by a list of artists as long as my arm. I know that's a big ask, but How am I supposed to remember "Hamba Nobani by Boohle, Busta 929, Reece Madiisa and Zuma", let alone shout it in someone's ear when they ask what it is on acrowded dancefloor ;-)

you could just go by the way I labelled them in the options menu 🤷🏻‍♂️

True, I think it's just cos I normally look at them on Spotify which makes it look like there's a LOT going on

there’s a PIANO RIOT going on!

I have to say, (and this is typical of me), I do love the ama tracks with fricking massive rolling bassy logdrum workouts like Lerato La Bass, John Vulli Gate and 9 Days

xp dog latin, you can always shorthand it as title/producer or title/lead vocalist, which is what i do

Excellent thread! Bravo, and thanks for giving us ample time to explore the selections.

Amapiano is getting some love in Atlanta these days. I haven’t made it to a club night yet, DJ Lag sadly had to cancel his scheduled gig.

Yes! Thank you for this!

I have lots of listening to do before casting vote.

Popping out of lurkerdom to thank you for this, breastcrawl.

happy to help to delurk, etc. immerse yourself and enjoy!

this is a high value poll that i'm looking forward to participating in.

I am three tracks into this playlist and have hit the spotify heart thing twice. Thanks for organizing!

Cheers, breastcrawl! I definitely got overwhelmed by this scene and gave up on following it, so this is a much-appreciated intervention. When I gripe about track/album lengths, ultimately it's because I know I'm missing good stuff and it's aggravating.

I think I've liked every Vigro Deep track I've ever heard, though I don't know anything about...him/her/them? I love how SA house always has room to basically just be jazz for a few minutes.

I feel you there rob. Luckily I've noticed a lot of tracks these days seem to be a little shorter. That said, there is an undeniable uniformity within the style that means it can take a short while for a track to kick in and become itself. I also find it's quite rare for a tune to reveal itself as a classic on the very first listen - usually takes a couple of listens but that's not necessarily a bad thing.

Enjoying "Qo Qo Qo" today and "Bathini" (the latter is reminding me of Soul II Soul or Masters At Work for some reason).

not to distract from the banquet of this poll, but the recent Kabza album, KOA II Part 1, bc has mentioned here and there did sound rather good when I gave it half a listen (actually more like 10% of a listen, but it's 130 minutes long!)

there’s two KOA II tracks in this poll

I love how SA house always has room to basically just be jazz for a few minutes

the latter is reminding me of Soul II Soul or Masters At Work for some reason).

this stuff all starts with a similar loop and then gets under your skin, doesn't it

Yep yep yep

in the light of current events, we have seen fit to ordain a 64-day amapiano listening period, lasting until the 12th day of November. you may start your session now. long live the kings and queens of piano!

I played Lerato La Bass by Teno Afrika at my little pub gig last night and was surprised to have someone come up and tell me it was their favourite tune. My co-DJ who wasn't familiar with amapiano was also interested and asked if it was UK funky

a lot of bangers from 2019 on Vol 1 of this compilation too ("Amapiano Is A Lifestyle") : more instrumentals & less loungey than 2022, maybe?

https://open.spotify.com/album/4kT9zRCiOmBRiZj8gFcuVx

Vol.2 2020

https://open.spotify.com/album/47MC1i2wbd9e5wmEmgyGcx

^ maybe this is indicative of the evolution towards today's sound?

I have to say, (and this is typical of me), I do love the ama tracks with fricking massive rolling bassy logdrum workouts like Lerato La Bass, John Vulli Gate and 9 Days

more instrumentals & less loungey than 2022, maybe? maybe this is indicative of the evolution towards today's sound?

Great, thank you for that.

so… has anyone discovered any new favourites yet?

Still making my way through all of these!

keep us posted if you like - would be nice!

I have to go to those two compilations I linked to every now and then because the multiple vocalist/loungey tracks in the poll get a bit much after a while for my tastes - maybe I'm just too cheap & more into the easy bangers :-)

great list, thanks breastcrawl
especially loved "paris" and "feeling" on first listen
will put it on repeat this weekend

Paris is such a banger.

Yep 'Paris' is a highlight for me as well ('Feeling' too), think I'm going to vote for 'Crush Yam' though.

So far leaning towards voting “Uzozisola” by Mas Musiq or “Risasekile” by Aymos, but really there are at least six others I'm really enjoying and playing a lot

great thread

looks like the Aymos (singer) and Mas Musiq (producer) combo is your thing, PP! they have done plenty more stuff together

Ah, cool! I'm gonna investigate further. I think I am gravitating, probably predictably, to the house-ier sounding stuff. I'm gonna check out Auti 'eSharp next.

good choice! last year’s Aymos album Yimi Lo is also very good

I feel fortunate to have stumbled upon this thread. This music is very exciting to me. Prior to this, my only exposure to even the word amapiano was that Teno Afrika LP, which I love, but it sounds like the style has evolved a lot since then. breastcrawl, would you say this is accurate?

I’m happy this thread is making you happy! it’s just the piano way.

short answer to your question: see my post of five days ago - but I intend to reply more extensively when I have more time

Ah, cool. Sorry, I thought I read this entire thread but somehow missed that bit about Kabza De Small and DJ Maphorisa and Scorpion Kings. There's so much to explore here.

deffo also more on the banger side of love for this genre but Crush Yam is SO GREAT. still got a ton more listening to do...

so.... who or what is GABOR ? it's being shouted in at least two songs ("Baby Are You Coming" by ZERO12FINEST feat. THAMAGNIFICENT2, from another thread) and Eningi from this list too

https://play-lh.googleusercontent.com/Yhe4i6VYB_SIJRg1DW69ui8OzeQJNAKelKXuXqpEgFkvJkXCHk8yNJ_7vvCGwR4ZwOI

https://media.s-bol.com/x20wMMj1Vopr/G5z7XPr/1200x1187.jpg

https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQf32nn9Yn-GBM4ouBSPkv21Thm1n6YO7Yljw&usqp=CAU

‘Yebo!’ is the isiZulu word for yesssss!

oooh! thank!

Paris is such a rip off from LiYoshona ! Haha. I guess it tells something about Amapiano that they're like two sides (one smooth, on raw) of the same collective-minded coin.

This is a cool exercise, you could easily redo it with another cool set of 27 songs. I'm not sure if breastcrawl set a specific timeframe for this, 2021-22 ? I think I knee-jerk voted for Mmapula whose long icy atmospheric layers stand out in any playlist (another pair here with Isphithiphithi), but I've also fallen behind quite badly. Recent Amapiano songs I've played a lot are Ngixolele (Busta 929), Kancane (Musa Keys), SETE (K.O), Sengizwile (Mas Musiq).

listened right through. lots of it is way too lounge/ soulful for me but i would buy / play these ones in a shot -

“Crush Yam” by T-Man
“Gijima (Vocal Mix)” by DJ Black Low - the only one I knew already.
Jozi Night” by GemValleyMusiQ
“Korobela” by DJ Sumbody
“Trigger” by DJ Karri
Xigubhu” by Welle SA
“Ziwa Ngale” by Kabza De Small

first thought still the best thought so gonna vote “Crush Yam” by T-Man.

thanks for this!

my father had some imported "learn zulu" tapes in the days prior to apartheid that he got to better understand some of the iscathamiya tracks he had on heavy repeat but they appeared to be entirely for afrikaners to communicate with the help more effectively. the main thing that stuck was "yebo mama"/"yebo baba" which became shorthand around the house.

Okay Paris is pretty incredible.

xp *"in the days prior to the end of apartheid"

im kind of fascinated by how dj black low seems to have such nominal streams vs his western profile. (and i like his stuff a lot too--but wonder how much of it is 'point missing' in terms of apprehending the genre)

same! he has 34 followers on soundcloud. now i'm fully aware soundcloud isn't what it once was, but 34!!

pretty obsessed with this one:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pu8SZaVVa2M

yeah, this isn't easy

im kind of fascinated by how dj black low seems to have such nominal streams vs his western profile. (and i like his stuff a lot too--but wonder how much of it is 'point missing' in terms of apprehending the genre)

― xheugy eddy (D-40), Wednesday, September 21, 2022 9:18 PM (yesterday) bookmarkflaglink

same! he has 34 followers on soundcloud. now i'm fully aware soundcloud isn't what it once was, but 34!!

― stirmonster, Wednesday, September 21, 2022 11:41 PM (yesterday) bookmarkflaglink

Not sure I understand? FWIW '9 Days' is maybe the most played ama tune I hear out in Bristol. I hear it played out in lots of multi-genre sets and people go apeshit to it

I really like "Qo Qo Qo" and the way the handclaps and delay work on the "one"

Not sure I understand? FWIW '9 Days' is maybe the most played ama tune I hear out in Bristol. I hear it played out in lots of multi-genre sets and people go apeshit to it

― Urbandn hope all ye who enter here (dog latin), Thursday, September 22, 2022 4:26 AM (thirty-two minutes ago) bookmarkflaglink

Perhaps “in Bristol” Is related to the answer

The other place I’ve seen it played was in a clip of someone’s IG stories when diplo played Katz’s deli

i've heard it played out in lots of places and it always goes off.

I mean, you can see why - it's definitely the ne plus ultra ama "banger", if such a thing exists, so it's going to have crossover appeal to people who aren't so fmailiar with the genre

meanwhile the video has 9.9k views and was released on Awesome Tapes From Africa

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kp-4A_-nwXU

Not a fan of 9 Days. It's too dnb-ey in all the wrong ways.

66 is a much better amabanger imo.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qWi_brnj-4g

66 is nice but maybe not quite as viscerally shock-and-awe as 9 Days (which you're not going to convince me isn't great).

While we're talking Felo Le Tee, I love this tune 'Dipatje Tsa Felo'

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MaWzf1WrQ1k

Abo mvelo still blows my fucking lid off. Couple tunes coming with that lower than low subterranean bassline now too

Did anyone reach major league djz at Brixton btw? May June time….felt sorry for sef kombo and kitty amor cos everyone was just waiting for the ama. And on that system…life-changing…

And on that system…life-changing…

i got to hear some of the above mentioned tracks tonight on a next level system. WOW! i also love the way most of these are arranged - they are a dream to mix.

not many things would get me out to a club but would deffo go if major league djz came to town.

got to hear some of the above mentioned tracks tonight on a next level system. WOW!

Where to man?

thanks for the effort in making this playlist and poll. I don't tend to seek out amapiano songs, so this playlist was a nice listen, everything new to me. probably need one more listen through before I vote

3310
Asijabule
Crush Yam
Isphithiphithi
Lwangempela
Madlamini
Nogxolo
Paris
Qo Qo Qo
Risasekile
Sika Bopha
Trigger
Xigubhu

that's ... 13 tracks still in the running here :-)

“jaiva low” is the true black low banger

I know this isn’t the regular amapiano thread but I wanted to post this new video of Uncle Waffles’ Tanzania:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WvxADzZMkEI

ooh, I thought I recognised it - this is the longer version without video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zi7kX1jkRuA

hors compétition, but you know, it’s the most beautiful thing in the world right now:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=udjSYr16cqk
Deep London ft. Nkosazana Daughter, Murumba Pitch & Janda_K1 • Piano Ngijabulise

Waht do we think of things like this?
Me, I'm on board but maybe not one for the purists

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sLz9tvJAgjI

That's Breaka - Dololo ft. Kamohelo

Deep London is too smooth for my taste but Breaka is verrrrry nice

Seems like there's a fairly even split between people who prefer the smooth stuff and those who hanker for a bit more welly.
My regular pub gig was all but empty last night so I amused myself and the bar staff with an extended amapiano set featuring both.
The last few times I've played pout amapiano in Bristol, I've had people come up and enthuse about how excited they are about it.

Screw it, I uploaded the mix to Soundcloud in case anyone's interested. Just a bunch of faves slung together:

CHARLIE STOIC - AMAPIANO EXCURSIONS

https://soundcloud.com/charliestoicdj/amapiano-excursions

Feel Le Tee x Myztro - 66
Feel Le Tee x Daliwonga - Dipatje Tsa Felo
Q-Mark, Tpzee, Afrikan Papi - Paris
Vigro Deep - Asijabule (feat. Murumba Pitch & Lady Du)
Obeey Amor, T-Man SA, Bassie and Lady Du - Qo Qo Qo
Musa Keys - Vula Mlomo
Nandy - Kunjani
Mapara A Jazz - John Vuli Gate
DJ Black Low x DJ Saxo Boy - 9 Days
Teno Afrika - Lerato La Bass
DJ Crown Prince, Walshy Fire, Skinny Fabulous - Bang
Tribal Brothers - Genesis
Breaka, Kamohelo - Dololo
Marcus Damon - Spears Of Fire

Thank you!

ooh, and you enabled downloads too! Thank you x 2

Pleasure! Let's hope I don't get sued

love the mix!

Wonderful!

Aww thank you both. I've had it on rotation all weekend and I'm not bored of it yet. Mixing it and hearing it back is also a nice way to explore the genre. I thought mixing amapiano might be a bit boring seeing as those long shaker intros are all pretty similar, but it ended up being a nice lesson in EQ mixing for me

It's also made me appreciate Asijabule by Vigro Deep a whole lot more. There's this amazing light/dark thing going on in that song, with Murumba Pitch's sweet male vocal sections giving way to Lady Du's tough, breathless bars. Really great

Yes, it really is - I had dismissed it from my list (I'm trying to find out what to vote for in this poll still) because I thought I didn't like the slick/soul type stuff but I had to put it back in there and it might even be the one I go for in the end. Maybe I'm getting used to the smooth stuff, I'm also liking Liyangishonela, the last track on Kabza's KOA Part 1 album, more and more lately.

i've only had a brief listen thru most of these so far but nothing has immediately changed my feeling that the Kabza album is now my favourite thing of the year

Gijima is nicely raw and bumpin' tho

feeling Jozi Night too

Madlamini is lush

Amapiano, to me, reminds me of classic dubstep and minimal house in that even the more understated tunes sound absolutely enormous over big speakers. Watching a receptive crowd going ham to this stuff really is something special, especially if they know the moves

I've listened to doglatin's excellent mix twice since yesterday. I think the fact that my favorites are toward the end (Tribal Brothers, Teno Afrika, Marcus Damon) confirms for me that I tend to slightly favor the harder-edged, less smooth amapiano tracks, but really, there isn't a weak moment here

Cheers PP. I believe the last four tracks are from producers/artists outside of South Africa. Tribal Brothers and Marcus Damon are London-based. Breaka is better known for ravey/garagey/dance bobbins. The DJ Crown Prince / Skinny Fabulous track is out of Trinidad, so kind of a soca hybrid. So not for the purists, but it is interesting to hear more and more producers turning their hands to the style and putting their own spins on it

I haven’t been much of a cheerleader in the last couple of weeks, apologies. glad others picked up the slack, very much looking at you dog latin!

so yeah, time flies, but you all still have nine days of feeling, feel-ling your way around in pianoland left.

it pleases me no end that 20 of the 29 poll options have been mentioned as favourites of some kind by one or more of you.
(that even includes the black sheep on my list, which really is only there because it’s the only track with that specific initial letter that was eligible (that is, I had played it once).)

only six on the list, my D, H, M, O, W, and Y entries, haven’t been namechecked at all - but “Dangerous”, “Hamba Nobani”, “Madiba”, “Obrigado”, “Wamuhle” and “Yini Sdakwa” are all worthy of your attention imho.

still enjoying this concept a lot, thank you :D

noticing a lot of amapiano getting a shazam bump if you will in the US, wonder what thats about:

del ieve P - Ezkhala Kahle (feat. Castro & Senzxo)
Konke, Musa Keys & Chley - M'nike (feat. Sayfar)
Soa Mattrix & Mashudu - Mina Nawe (feat. Happy Jazzmen & emotionz DJ)
king temoso - iNkwenkwezi (with Sami'Kay)

“M’nike” is fantastic!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z2SLXPZjvkw

a few others ...

ESK Musiq-Stop n go
Don Edward & Xduppy - Skeem Saka (feat. Stay C & Senjay)

^^^these are both pretty rad to me

yes! "Skeem Saka" in particular is top of the bill:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Wxzfrx10fc

another ridiculously good new track is this one:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=38iZlLaaXDk
Toxicated Keys ft. GemValleyMusiQ & Tupla Double 0.7 • Shiki (Piano Anthem)

(GemValleyMusiQ obviously are in this poll with their "Jozi Night" - if you haven't, don't forget to vote for any of the 29 this week!)

ESK Musiq-Stop n go

― xheugy eddy (D-40), Friday, November 4, 2022 5:58 PM (three days ago) bookmarkflaglink

this one is exploding on tiktok right now

aw man, I'm not ready. Still have 7 possible winners in my list (starting with 3 A C N P Q T)

but you need to get this done! completely new alphabet sets have aligned themselves over the past couple of weeks alone. amapiano moves fast!

I will, I promise :-)

Waiting for the inevitable comprehensive 3xLP comp of this stuff to materialize somewhere. I can't keep up with the rushing digital river!

the only way this idea might make any kind of sense is if these 3xLP comps came in monthly instalments

Well, it probably won’t be very comprehensive.

https://n-t-s.bandcamp.com/album/amapiano-now-2

??

That works as a snapshot of the genre at a given second in time, but not much else, I'm afraid. My best advise would be to check the amapiano vibes playlist on spotify regularly. It's not totally comprehensive but you do get a feel for the genre and its permutations from week to week.

AmaPiano *Grooves*

very useful playlist, tip of the hat to Spotify

yeah, sorry bout the "vibes". And thanks, breastcrawl!

never be sorry about the vibes, longneck!

Yeah, I voted for Asijabule. It just has so much, that dark/light contrast someone mentioned, it's not just one thing repeating all the time. Thank you again for 2 Months of fun with this, please do more :-)

plus, the light parts made me like the soulful part of amapiano more than I would have predicted in the beginning. So that, too.

Automatic thread bump. This poll is closing tomorrow.

I think I voted for Paris but I regret not voting for Asijabule really

I voted for Paris, as it is in my top 5 songs of the year. There are other songs I love in here though (Mmapula and Isphithiphithi in particular!) and quite a few I discovered through this poll, so thanks a lot, breastcrawl! Let's do it again soon.

last call! 58 minutes left to vote for your favourite piano track!

Automatic thread bump. This poll's results are now in.

14 votes? boo! but still, all good tracks :-)

14 votes ain't bad, think about it. We should do one of these every 3 months

result that someone else loves “Crush Yam”.

ace poll - it introduced me to lots of grest music. what dog latin said....

I started my DJ set last night with some amapiano and got a good bunch of the early doors crowd grooving. My co-DJ whomst I was going B2B with followed it up with some more straight-up (but great) house and people just sort of shrugged and walked off. I couldn't have conceived of something like this happening just a year or so ago

….and we have a result!
thanks to everyone who participated in this. I loved the enthusiasm everyone seemed to be feeling about this awesome genre!
special thanks to the 13 voters (I was nr 14). “Paris” is a worthy winner and there’s a nice spread of votes, with eight killer tracks receiving love, highlighting the awesome variety in the genre - because no, not every amapiano track sounds the same, like at all.

is 13/14 votes a lot? hard to say, 43 people followed the playlist, so I may have expected more, but I have no idea what the going ratio is. I’m still curious about the preferences of those non-voters tho (and about any other feedback). feel free to post them here - the poll is done, but the thread remains!

I voted “Asijabule” myself, out of the 29 options it was my most played track. it’s going to be extremely high on my EOY ballot. it was wonderful to see people warming to it over the course of this poll.
but I have to say, when I played the eight vote-getters just now, I was all in for “Crush Yam” - what a track!

(oh, in case you were wondering about the cinderella option, the one that was only there because it was the only eligible track for that letter of the alphabet (that is, I had played it once): it was “Xigubhu” by Welle SA (<1000 streams on Spotify) - and even that one is good!)

Thank you again for 2 Months of fun with this, please do more :-)

thanks a lot, breastcrawl! Let's do it again soon

We should do one of these every 3 months

ace poll - what dog latin said....

any links to Bandcamp pages for any of this stuff would be very much appreciated, seems like most of this is streaming only?

I’m not really a Bandcamp user myself. my guess is that most of it won’t be found there - the Awesome Tapes stuff (Teno Afrika, DJ Black Low) being the exception to the rule, targeted as it is at a different (Western, indie-leaning, for want of a better word) audience.
but perhaps other posters have different information/experiences?

beatport has more and more ama lately. couldn't find a lot of this poll but some artists are there.

“Asijabule” is a UK release (Rinse FM, London) and is on Bandcamp:

https://rinsefm.bandcamp.com/album/vigro-deep-asijabule-feat-murumba-pitch-lady-du

I get most of my amapiano and afro-pop downloads from 7Digital

the one that was only there because it was the only eligible track for that letter of the alphabet (that is, I had played it once): it was “Xigubhu” by Welle SA

i love that one so very happy it starts wth an 'x' or i'd never have heard it!

I’m currently being hypnotized by this track:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A2LGkIAh7ok
Ch’cco ft. Focalistic x Mellow & Sleazy • Pele Pele

dankie, my president!

I like how deconstructed and elastic Amapiano can be, its unpredictable bouncy skittering fluid dynamics, and I often find that in the rawer tracks, like this Pele Pele. Even if in the end top favorites are still the fully formed smooth diamonds, they need to distill some of that unpredictable primal soup, some of the skeletal tension. Maybe also why Amapiano likes to invite foreign sounds in and warp them to show off its Protean quality. I find myself thinking of the vocals in Amapiano as "toasting", as in deejay, I wonder if the South Africans have their own term for it (assuming it's not called simply rapping or singing). For some reason, Amapiano never sounded only like a house genre to me, it's a bit like another "sound culture" if I can draw such a distant parallel just based on how soulful, dark, experimental both genres are and how closely together they draw the producer and the vocals.

and the genre's so... alive too! This one is currently on the number one spot on Spotify's AmaPiano Grooves playlist, "added 3 days ago"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UdQ-74_lf7Y

DBN Gogo, Stixx, BoiBizza ft. MaWhoo - UYATHANDEKA

xpost "foreign sounds" : like flamenco guitar in the track I just posted :-)

xxp Nabozo OTM. It's hard to think of this as house music - it doesn't do the same thing; I don't dance to it or listen to it in the same way

Since it's the time in the thread where we start pulling it in all directions like wolves, I'll post fresh stuff too

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ejlL0ARRF3I
Dj Maphorisa & Visca - iSandla (feat. Da Muziqal Chef, Thabza Tee & Malumnator)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KXP493syN_w
Mellow & Sleazy - Elokishini (feat. Chley, Da Muziqal Chef & M.J.)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S-YRoPm0AVw
Mr JazziQ - Abuti Wadi Chipi (feat. Murumba Pitch, Zuma, Mzukulu)

I’m still curious about the preferences of those non-voters tho (and about any other feedback). feel free to post them here - the poll is done, but the thread remains!

I can't remember if I voted, but I meant to vote for Crush Yam, so I was either the second vote after stirmonster or I should have been the third. Apologies!

anyway, very useful thread and the top +1 vote getters make a nice digestible survey. I tend to prefer the loungey/jazzy tracks to the harder ones, at least for repeat listening, though I just listened to 66 and Ncebeleka (both Felo Le Tee) and hearing those live would probably be amazing

it's actually Crush Yami apparently but anyway

https://geo-static.traxsource.com/files/images/a157a054bc91d8d7c2424d931270f4a0.jpg

in this case it *is* in fact “Crush Yam” - however, the complete phrase in isiZulu, where vowels routinely get swallowed, is “crush yami”, which simply means ‘my crush’.

oh! okay, thanks :-)

in random piano tracks I can’t stop playing right now, as we speak:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2d7wJQHjfuM
Mzulu Kakhulu ft. Gaba Cannal • Gibela (iGwijo Remix)

(there are visuals, but they cover only 40% of the track: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bfN1l3apO90)

maybe that video isn't the remix?

no, it’s the same mix. if there even is an earlier/original version they’ve hidden it very well.

my point was more, enjoy the video (so many piano jams don’t even have one), but the full length is were it’s really at.
(also, weirdly, there is actually a radio edit of this song on Spotify, but it’s longer than this vid)

most importantly tho, it’s a great track

true!

only just learned that amapiano pioneer DJ Sumbody was murdered last Sunday. heartbreaking news: https://ra.co/news/78132

the man has made some of my favourite music of the past five years. “Ayepyep”, his breakout hit in 2017, and “Monate Mpolaye” (with Cassper Nyovest), a year later, may not have been fully developed amapiano yet, but they were definitely harbingers of the new sound. Ashi Nthwela, his only album, released in 2019, is a stone-cold classic.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f1qDvmteVlw

and then there’s the gorgeous triumvirate of singles he made with producers The Lowkeys and singer Drip Gogo in 2021 and 2022, “Iyamemeza”, “Ayavuma” and “Korobela”, which are among the all-time best in soulful vocal piano.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t16VuAYgFUA

I hope he can rest in peace.

I forgot “Korobela” was in this poll too. “Ayavuma” is indispensable: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4msf2Q6E8TE

So is this the New Amapiano thread now?

Anyway, I really like the new Focalistic - Tsela Tse Nyane
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zcJPFQP9T9Y

Haven’t had the time to listen to the full album yet.
Ghetto Gospel: https://open.spotify.com/album/195GWiPzBeREYEZv0sNnRN?si=KiPUphw1TYKjJl5TI7xzlg

It's hard to think of this as house music - it doesn't do the same thing; I don't dance to it or listen to it in the same way

― Urbandn hope all ye who enter here (dog latin), maandag 14 november 2022 12:19

‘MY HOUSE MY RULES’ dropping December 9th 🏘️ giving you “Petori to Ibiza”, the first single feat. @MJ today, out now! You’re welcome🤲🏾
STREAM AND PRE-ORDER IN BIO. pic.twitter.com/AnC8K9ZNuj

— I am vigrodeep (@VigroDeep) December 1, 2022

"Petori to Ibiza": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UUE-7jyyJUc

"Tobetsa"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hQB5xSpYXvc
(Myztro, ShaunMusiq & Ftears - Tobetsa)

"Tobetsa Remake"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kMen1pRNHGY
(Myztro feat. Focalistic, DaliWonga, ShaunMusiq & Ftears - Tobetsa Remake)

"Tobetsa Remix"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OY4CxI2a5Xo
(Focalistic feat. Myztro, Shaunmusiq & Ftearse - Tobetsa Remix (Chomie Ke Changitse))

"Not Tobetsa"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P4_0U7cSEAs
(Emjaykeyz x DJ Yessonia x Sir Trill x Robot Boii x Babygirlmint x Bailey - Not Tobetsa)

(I couldn't decide which of the first three I like more so here's all three)

somehow part of this got added to the end of the Remake video there, apparently

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FeEgCPw1sQU
(Kid Kerfy - Emergency)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pPuiAUzz1B0
Tyla - To Last

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pavS1pKadPU
Tyla ft. DJ Maphorisa, Young Stunna - To Last (Remix)

An important addition to the train of Tobetsas:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m1tf_TxD00s
Dj mjava - tobetsa

oooh, nice

"To Last" is EOY worthy I reckon

two masters releasing their new albums today.

Vigro Deep…

https://www.ubetoo.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/vigro-deep-my-house-my-rules-album-2022_12_08_22_10_41-ubetoo.jpg


…and, gasp, Kelvin Momo:

https://i0.wp.com/afrohouseking.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Kelvin-Momo-Amukelani-Album.jpg

These two together are more than 5 hours and 20 minutes! :D

^ found out I'm more of a single track lover than being able to wade through all of this :-(

man, I've heard (the very great) Abo Mvelo maybe 40 times this year but its syncopations throw me off every single time. It's wild.

wait, maybe it hasn't been posted yet?

Daliwonga ft Mello & Sleazy & MJ- Abo Mvelo

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3syTO0rRYqY

it was mentioned in an earlier stream but yeah

Have there been any amapiano eoy lists yet?

There was on mine! Asijabule in at number 4! https://open.spotify.com/playlist/3gXT2QwTDEhRlCURH1CyV0?si=a2511507558644b1

Also - no one told me there had been another Teno Afrika album out this year - only just found out!

ooh, both versions of To Last, eh? I agree on that.

here are 10 tracks to check out (we know a couple already) : https://www.theafricareport.com/266149/south-africa-top-10-amapiano-hits-from-2022-to-keep-you-glued-to-the-dance-floor/

I couldn't decide on which version of To Last was best and figured they're both essential so they count as one slot

StanM that link is broken

there are several lists when you search, but I don’t think there’s anything that could be called ‘authorative’. if there even exists a good SA music publication/website I still haven’t been able to find it after all these years.
OkayAfrica had this top 15 songs list for the first half of the year, but no follow-up as of yet. as for album listings, zilch.

it would admittedly be a truly Sisyphean task. I listen to quite a lot of piano albums, but ranking them? apart from the Kabza one, I wouldn’t really know. I get lost in them, but hardly ever go back, because there’s always an often equally good new one to explore. both the productivity and the quality in amapiano are off the charts, and you’d need superpowers just to begin to keep up with all of it.

the album I’m listening to right now is Toxicated Keys x Gwam Ent Musiq’s The Problematic Friends, Episode V, and it’s very good. TK have worked together with GemValleyMusiQ, whose Abu Wronq Wronq album from earlier in the year was also very good.

xpost : must have been a temporary problem, I can get on there again now

https://www.theafricareport.com/266149/south-africa-top-10-amapiano-hits-from-2022-to-keep-you-glued-to-the-dance-floor/

btw, the Vigro Deep and Kelvin Momo albums above came with very high expectations, but having listened to them once, I’m not too sure about either of them.

all of the Vigro sounded good, obviously, but none of the individual tracks jumped out at me.

Kelvin Momo’s previous album (which dropped in December 2021), is an absolute classic of gorgeously subtle and lush piano, piano as jazz perhaps. it was also almost 3 hours long. the new goes one better (?): it’s 3,5 hours, going in waves, from instrumental to vocal tracks and back. there are beautiful tracks, including several with his muse Babalwa M, but I’m not sure the melodies are at the level of the highlights on Ivy League. I do need to come back to it tho, but [see above].

either way, I would advise anyone who wants to delve in to skip the first four tracks (saves about 35 minutes!) I feel “Umoya” is where it becomes interesting.

(then again, don’t take my word for it, track 4 (“Fool Me”), which I find rather dull honestly, is currently the most streamed track in SA - almost all of the album’s 26 tracks are in the Apple Music top 100 (whereas there’s nothing by Vigro).)

but instead of grumpin' around, let me highlight some of the highs, and they are very high when listened to in isolation:

"Izono" (ft. MaWhoo, Babalwa M & Chley): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hfta9KV2u7Y

"Sukakude" (ft. Babalwa M & Sfarzo Rtee): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ouYmLAk6OxM

UPDATE: just playing the tracks I playlisted during my first pass of the album, I’m left with a truly fantastic 12-track version (only 1h32!)

the phrase “on a corner called jazz” popped up in my head more than once, and fans of Mr. Fingers’ 1992 Introduction album should definitely give this a go.

I made a Spotify playlist: 🟩 kelvin momo • amukelani (album essentials)

this is one of the instrumentals on it:

“O’Ketsang” (ft. Mick Man): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YR5KeIcwj2I

Thanks, breastcrawl. In other news, I just finished listening to the Busta 929 album, Fearless, which is surprisingly uneventful. He has clearly discovered the joys of French Kiss, as there are a few tracks that slow down in the middle but it’s hardly enough to keep my interest up over 20 long tracks.

Also, I just discovered he has apparently been cancelled for having sex with underage girls. Oh well.

I like Fool Me, btw. It’s summertime in SA, and it would sound perfect with a sundowner.

The Fader 100 list has some interesting inclusions btw: https://www.thefader.com/2022/12/15/the-100-best-songs-of-2022

you mean this, right?

79. Kabza De Small, “Eningi”

“Ah weSomandla, ngicela ungnike imali eningi eningi eningi.”

Yes. And Samthing Soweto too!

oh yeah, forgot about him. very much non-piano tho, that one

Asake is amapiano'ing it up in his track there too

this one is crazy - the sound(s)!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KfgFqoQ0j78
Slowavex ft. Loki, Privs3 & Xola TSM • Juluka

thank you for this random act of kindness!

it’s PRVIS3, btw

Concept DJ mix idea: just the shaker intros

i’m here for it

speaking of GemValleyMusiQ’s _Abu Wronq Wronq_ album, if I was a dj I’d definitely play “Top Seven” in my piano section:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=owJ-Arkhqt8

A whole album by one artist still is a bit much for me, but lists like this? Bring it on!

https://www.okayafrica.com/amapiano-songs-best-2022/

https://www.okayafrica.com/top-amapiano-songs-2021/

https://www.okayafrica.com/best-amapiano-songs-of-2020/

I guess this might be considered "old school" by now but I've been playing it while wrapping xmas gifts this morning and it's going down pretty smooth

https://n-t-s.bandcamp.com/album/amapiano-now-2

"released July 23, 2021" & old school...

Crazy times indeed

Ha, I was half joking, but yeah, that is a lifetime in 2023, especially for a relatively new genre

HOLY CRAP (keep listening)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WgE024NOoAw

Stan, the 2022 list above was a mid-year report, this is the OkayAfrica EOY list:

https://www.okayafrica.com/amapiano-songs-2022-best/

Oh! thanks!

Good list! Definitely some stuff I'd missed on there.

Hi! Here's my EOY list:
Musketeers, Azmo Nawe, Focalistic- Danko (Remix)
Kabza De Small, Nia Pearl, MDU aka TRP - Ubumnandi
Sam Deep, Playgal, De Mthuda, Babalwa M, Sipho Magudulela - Kusezo Khanya
Focalistic, Mellow & Sleazy, M.J - SJEPA
Mr JazziQ, Zan'Ten, Ta Skippa - Ningalali Emakhaya
Xavi Yentin, Busta 929, Quedafloor - Kude feat. Busta 929 & Quedafloor
Toxicated Keys, GemValleyMusiQ, Tupla Double 0.7 - Shiki (Piano Anthem)
9umba, TOSS, Mdoovar, Sir Trill, Sino Msolo, Lady Du, Young Stunna, Slade - uMlando
Nobuhle, Kabza De Small - Malo We
FMS Records_SA - Iskhulu
Busta 929, Nobantu Vilakazi - Dlala 929
Robot Boii, Mellow & Sleazy, Soul Revolver, Shaun MusiQ, F Teearse - Salary Salary
DJ Maphorisa, Visca, Kabza De Small, Msaki, Da Muziqal Chef - Zanzibar
Dinho, Kabza De Small, Stakev, Makhanj - Soloko
Focalistic, Kabza De Small, Mellow & Sleazy, Myztro, M.J - Tabela Hape
Jungle Beats, Mahallo music - Ngixolele
Kabza De Small, DJ Tira, Young Stunna, Dladla Mshunqisi, Felo Le Tee, Beast, Dj Exit_sa - Ziwa Ngale
Vigro Deep - Bedroom Floor
Toxicated Keys - Me Now
Ch'cco, Focalistic, Mellow & Sleazy - Pele Pele
Pabi Cooper, Focalistic, Ch'cco, LuuDadeejay, Nobantu Vilakazi - Banyana Ke Bafana
Mfr Souls, MaWhoo, Sipho Magudulela - Mali
DJ Geewave, Gaba Cannal, Vocal Kat, Smash SA - Kzofiwa
PRINCE DA DJ, De Mthuda, vocal music, Blacksoul - Watching You
Kelvin Momo, Mas Musiq, TO Starquality - Sena We

And here's a Spotify playlist with the tracks : 25 Best Amapiano tracks of 2022

Thank you!

lots of bangers there, Jamie (and I haven’t even heard all of them).

you know you can nominate stuff for the ILM EOY and send in a ballot, right? ;-)

let me also share your excellent amapiano playlist on Spotify here

^ great list & being updated all the time apparently? it changed while I was listening to it :-)

Thanks a lot Breastcrawl, that's super kind :-)
I will definetly post my ballot, who knows, maybe a track like Robot Robot has a chance?
Hi StanM! yes I update it 2-3 times a week, especially when there's a lot of great new tracks, it's ussually the case in December

Right now I'm in love with this track by Minz5, The Lowkey and Jodiah de Disciples: Freedom
It's pretty, like an Amapiano Veridis Quo

I will give a vote to Umlando if someone nominates it, that's a fire dance track.

I'm checking out the 5 "House Afrika presents amapiano" compilations and didn't like anything on the first three (2016-2017) but the 4th one (2019) is THIS kind of music all of a sudden.

amapiano to the world, or at least to Germany!
just found out today that this song was number one there for five weeks recently:

“Zukunft Pink” by Peter Fox ft. Inéz: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kNT87WiK1dg

found out because I was alerted to this remix of it, which has a prominent feature by Focalistic:

“Zukunft Pink (Alliance Remix) ft. Focalistic, Willy Will, Kwam.E, Albi X, Awa Khiwe, Benji Asare & Inéz: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7CWF4WT46pI

If I don't confuse it with a song with a similar title, I think we haven't posted the sensational Thokoza by Sam Deep & Mawhoo, which is on the darker side of Deep House.

Full version: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uFh7uKvO9zk

Video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gobnsFlD5JY
Sam Deep & Mawhoo - Thokoza

Mind blown by amapiano going german.

And yes, Thokoza is indeed incredible.

Jamie Harley's playlist tho

Yeah his playlist led me to Nobuhle's 10-track album Indlela, which makes do quite nicely in absence of Simmy or Azana last year. Sun-El's name is nowhere, but his influence is felt. At the same time, each contributor brings a touch. Emakhaya - Malo Nawe - Jerusalema - Indlela is a very nice stretch of music.

Didn't strike me immediately, but I really like what Ami Faku did here

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2nLKhoeW2bQ
Aymos & Ami Faku - Fatela

Also SJEPA is one ridiculous earworm, which probably has a lot to do with how cheerful and fun it is.

I get all the credit for posting it first in April of course

Ami Faku is on a roll.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hQMX7yw3Hbg
De Mthuda feat. Ami Faku - Buya

And that chorus reminds me strongly of Jorge Ben - Mas que nada.

I'm continuing to catch up on the Amapiano from 2022, also trying with albums. On the smooth but tasty side, the latest Murumba Pitch - Horumar is worth hearing. They mainstream and improve on Busta 929's sound (atmospheric cold synth layers, dense tapestry of motifs, melodic pearls), whose Undisputed Vol 3 I found quite uninspired. I also tried the Focalistic, which is ok but has little to offer besides the known hits.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VnX2R_5CkSw
Murumba Pitch - Esangweni

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RS4tUcGAlzc
Murumba Pitch - Hlasela

So I'm going to do my bi-annual amapiano lecture tomorrow at the academy where I work.
What are the three amapiano songs that I *have* to play to the students? I'm asking because I'm drowning in a sea of possibilities.

if it's for the young'uns then you might want to show a couple that have their own tiktok dance - that'll draw them in :-)

https://www.tiktok.com/discover/amapiano-dance
etc

Most of them are around 20.

With visuals, I really like the amateur video that goes with iWalk Ye Phara (the version without Moonchild Sanelly). Kokota piano too.
Something off Scorpion Kings / Return of course: on the dreamy side, Lerato is one of my most played Amapiano tracks (Nia Lo too), Dubai for some piano soloing, or something suffocating like Lorch
Jazzidisciples (Zlele) or Askies are unfuckwithable
Some more recent hit like Paris, Amanikiniki, Big Flexa, Nkao Tempela

But maybe that's just expanding the pool of choices instead of narrowing it down :)

Also consider extracts from Shaya! (the documentary) or some YT dance video: either tutorial, or an overview like South Africa A Dancing Nation

cosign on “Jazzidisciples (Zlele)”: mindblowing track, with a fantastic video for the full-length version, a very rare thing

two recent darkish instrumental tracks that either use the same sample/loop/beat or one is sampling the other:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FT9xX42qSD0

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ak3kOIVdOpE

(the second one was uploaded a month ago, the first one a week ago, for the record)

those are:

De Tories • Pekhashin

and

Sello SA Mollo • Mozolo Move

(please label the tracks you post, for future reference and suchlike)

oh yes, sorry about that

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ubmGgKhaRIc

Kukzer Wadi Piano ft. Mellow & Sleazy • No Mystery

really looking forward to getting down to this banger at the next piano club gathering:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xz_eUYaNaVM
Mellow & Sleazy ft. Mxrcus • Mozambique Amapiano

(fwiw the track has been removed from Spotify since I listened to it again this morning)

listening to some of the new tracks on Spotify’s Amapiano Grooves playlist after a short piano hiatus tonight and everything is sounding amazing:

Pcee x Mr JazziQ x ZanTen ft. papi_sa • Johnny ke Johnny: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qPnZiPRvqbg

Freddy K ft. Marsey, MhawKeys & Nhanhla The Guitarist • Ngisenalo U’thando: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GQvpKY31-vs

Bassie ft. Soa Mattrix & Happy Jazzman • Thandumuntu: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jn4xOrAhrlA
(this Bassie track is another addition to my playlist with piano jams that remind me of Kidnap (Kid)’s 2013 UK deep house classic (to me anyway) “Thin Lines” with Lottie.

this is also great - the voices!

Tyler ICU ft. Khanyisa, Tumelo_za & Tyrondee • Ngimoja: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iQQ1jkjEOMc

This Pcee guy is someone to watch out for. I will return to Johnny ke Johnny for those keys that open it pensively for two minutes before it transforms into a more standard (but still nice) Amapiano track. I like that aspect of shifting styles that goes with the number of contributors. I think you also mentioned the peace-chaos dynamic when Asijabule placed in the top77.

Bassie also nice with more demure female vocals, another recent innovation I like (that sounds very patriarchal lol). Ngimoja vocals also nice. Everything is nice.

always top notch:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a0dqaIvHCRU
GemValleyMusiQ • Dlala Drumo (KingsOfRoughMusiQ)

i've been working my way through the album. there's an awful lot of it! digging it though.

interesting piece on how amapiano (along with other forms of SA house) is reshaping the London club scene: https://mixmag.net/feature/london-afro-house-underground-movement-evolving-south-africa-amapiano-afro-tech-funky-interview

a South African beauty summit:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d7Ex0RnPiuY
Nkosazana Daughter ft. Murumba Pitch, Master KG & Lowsheen • Ring Ring Ring

finally starting to see some of this stuff on Bandcamp!

https://pianohub.bandcamp.com/album/kopzz-avenue-for-your-ears-only-ep

I'm not usually one for whole amapiano albums by one artist but this one is pretty great: https://djblacklow-southafrica.bandcamp.com/album/impumelelo

Oh, cool! On a cursory first spin of the first half it was sounding a bit generic to me compared to his debut. Must listen some more.

i think it picks up later on, but only listened quickly over the weekend.

the first couple of tracks are so-so to me, but then it gets a lot better

oh hell yeah didn't realize there was a new dj black low album

Interested in the Black Low album but I wasn't especially moved by the promo track. I know it has its detractors but '9 Days' always got a great response from home crowds when I played it out so I'm hoping he does something similarly remarkable - I'm not asking for Skrillexy cross-over bangers so much as something to make it stand out

Okay, I'm definitely enjoying this so far

That's a good urban soundscape, could do with Focalistic but fine as it is.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iXIqQq8sTxo
Shaunmusiq, Ftears, Xduppy (feat. Myztro, Mellow & Sleazy, Quayr Music, Matute Boy) - Bhebha

Punishing and enveloping bass, cool percussion, bonus points for it sounding like they're saying Bieber

So far, Sam Deep deserves every song of his posted and that means Impumelelo too

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WKjxbWMOS_w
Sam Deep & Emoh feat Da Muziqal Chef - Impumelelo

In Amapiano circles you win a game of chess when all other pieces than the king have been knocked down :D

this is nigerian but feels so ama informed

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UYC8Ru3v3pw

I've been noticing there's one line that keeps coming back in SO many amapiano songs and after a couple attempts at writing it down and googling... "Ase Trap Ke Pina Tsa Ko Kasi" - still not sure if it's at least every track with/by/feat. Focalistic and/or Busta 929 - and there's a story too https://www.timeslive.co.za/tshisa-live/tshisa-live/2021-03-25-listen--focalistic-reflects-on-how-saying-a-se-trap-ke-pina-tsa-ko-kasi-changed-his-life/

Reviving the thread, even though I am only now trying to catch up. Not a bad time to post Kilimanjaro after I hesitated to highlight it and in the meantime it has gained a lot of plays.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2NvTakC15GU
Pcee, Sgija'Disciples & Zan'Ten (feat. Justin99, Mema_percent, Mr Jazziq) - Kilimanjaro

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VZKYu8myqQY
Mellow & Sleazy & TmanXpress (feat. Keynote) - Kwelinye

Chley + a guy saying yayaya =

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eqSuJyey7gk
Uncle Waffles, Tony Duardo & Justin99 feat. Pcee, EeQue, Chley - Yahyuppiyah

Let's pretend breastcrawl is still around and posted this some months ago

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J9wscBKc1GE
Lady Amar, JL SA, Cici & Murumba Pitch - Hamba Juba

Focalistic always bringing something fresh.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L4e3s0PKSFI
Focalistic, Eeque & Thama Tee - Khekheleza (Dlala Dlala)

^The transverse flute is so out of place, and there are other weird sounds, and yet I think it works

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NF6yO71AAYg
Pcee feat. Mr JazziQ, Umthakathi Kush, Sizwe Alakine - Ngenza ngama bomu

Pcee is one of those pure builders, heavy on atmosphere like Busta 929. His discography is pretty flawless so far (ZoTata, Johnny Ke Johnny, Kilimanjaro, Yahyuppiyah, this). The more I hear Amapiano sung by men, the closer I see the relation with hip hop (the dark jazzy minimalism, the rap-speak-singing MCs), only Amapiano does this abstract soundscaping. We get more women taking part in this style too, instead of sticking closer to house. Well, we've always said there were two Amapianos.

Made a playlist with my 25 fave Amapiano tracks this year : https://open.spotify.com/playlist/3kHZeCc8BFVlh6pE53kIzu?si=4f4026a8fb41489c

Thank you lots

I'd love an amapiano EOY poll for 2023 in this style if breastcrawl or someone would be willing to run it?

Mnike is hard to best this year

https://davidbyrne.com/radio/david-byrne-radio-presents-south-africa-musical-powerhouse

Mnike is fine but in no way my favourite this year

«fine» he said

I spent my afternoon fusing cocteau twins with amapiano

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VMGu5PzNtyA

I wish this would become a rolling amapiano thread again, I miss listening to more new amapiano/3-step, and I don't know where else to find ressources to help me. So I can't post anything about South Africa, but I can say that amapiano pop/hiphop is one of the biggest things in Denmark right now.

This is number one on the Spotify charts. Annika is the most hyped new pop singer in a while, and Anton Westerlin produces for all the big rappers, and seems into basically everything that happens, drill, jersey club, amapiano, dancehall, etc.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MF1Yyl3s0mI

He made a whole rap/amapiano ep with Lamin last year, which is really good:
https://open.spotify.com/album/3Q4XiWwBXMxMlz9LZ2cZYo

This is still an enormous hit half a year later:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z_s86RY-wa0

It's not the best amapiano ever, but I think it's interesting how well it blends into a continental European pop/hip hop sound.

Just getting to the Mark Ernestus (Basic Channel, Hard Wax) RA mix from June, and it's 2 hours of groovy amapiano. Apparently it's his first studio DJ mix. Worth a spin.

Sounds very interesting. I'll check

very excited for this, ilxor Brainwasher caught him live recently and had told me this is what he was on, love a deeply considered passion project approach to djing !

Listening now. It's fantastic. I recognise none of these selections. They sound very "Ernestus" in their style really. Interesting that he doesn't really do much beatmatching as such, but it all flows so nicely