Rolling Afropop, House, Amapiano, 3-step 2026

Always felt it would be nice to explicitly re-integrate South-African stuff, as I find that so much of it straddles genres, has commercial appeal, and simply pops. It's also because of the first song I have to share. Hopefully it encourages us to break 100 posts this year :)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=49GhgLUjzdI
Officixl RSA, Benzoo, Sizwe Alakine - Mabalabala

Looking back, I do not think we have posted Uvalo last year. Sweet stuff.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B12qTSkGmZw
JAZZWRLD, Thukuthela & Babalwa M - uValo

Wahoo!! ONE THREAD!

Have to slowly move towards that black singularity and keep the afro-futurism spirit

One thread! One hundred posts!!

And we're off to a good start :)

TML Vibez & Ruger - Body Tuff
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=85qgMRKMe-M

Became a bit obsessed with this one today. Incredibly lush.

We haven't had Ankole cows in a while. Enough there to marry a chief's daugther. Nice bass bounce and vocals are on point.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hRr2UP8U1PE

I won't post Ngysindelwa with Zee Nxumalo. It goes hard and initially gave me Chale vibes at first, but it goes a bit nowhere.

Speaking of lush, how about this one.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ROFZ6p2hMKo
Shoday & Fola - Paparazzi

For people like me who don't listen to many albums, Shallipopi just released a video for Gbefun. I somehow assumed all his other songs would be just heavy on bass like Na So, and boy was I wrong ?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=06DkCf0tens
Shallipopi - Gbefun (Fine SHit)

Know what, let's post Ngyasindelwa after all. It's kind of weird but in style with Durban stuff.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AmdvWry-9QI
DJ Lag x Zee Nxumalo feat. K.C Driller - NgyaSindelwa

great start

This thing blasts. I'm sitting on my sofa with my headphones but I feel like I'm in a car with the top off.

I wanna repost this one from last year as it's really really good. And also I'm hosting these guys at my next clubnight.

Describing his vibe as "UK Afrohouse" (although personally I'd say it's closer to an amapiano/afrobeats/UK hiphop crossover style, I really think Ilxors in this thread will appreciate Rice & Peas by Boy Sayso

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B_c7dcC77nE

Yeah, Rice & Peas is 2025 SOTY. NgyaSindelwa is incredible too, though! Around 1:45 when it takes off, Wow!

Frederik come to my clubnight! I'm sure Bristol is judt a short flight away..

Yeah... Sigh. Not really any good DK Afrohouse club nights. That I know of.

I dig the production on Rice & Peas, the vocals less so, but I may still consider voting for it. In terms of fusing styles it's certainly a good one.

From their EP together. Prod by Magicsticks & 4Tunes.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cv5chGtfVTg
Wizkid & Asake - Turbulence

Something a little different, faster and heavier on percussion, but I think it works

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_hKuvfH1j_w
Seyi Vibez & Omah Lay - My Healer

Yeah, I quite like that Wizkid/Asake ep. The rythms are sorta more choppy and stumbling, except of floating along in endless bliss. I think it's part of the move from amapiano to 3-step, perhaps? It fits them.

Hoping Asake is working on another Mr Money With The Vibe but with 3-step.

In ILM poll for 2025 tracks top African involved finisher -

12 Moliy & Silent Addy ft. Skillibeng & Shenseea - Shake It To The Max (FLY) (Remix)

And Zuchu and Shallipopi. Amaarae is also half-Ghanaian.

Been hearing a lot of quite unusual takes on gqom recently.

Starting with this. Desong M - Umcimbi (Feat. Spherzin Tribe)

This strange cantering rhythm that reminds me of 2000s schaffel techno in a way. When I first heard it I thought the DJ had made a mistake and was playing two records offbeat. Certainly a bit odd

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

T.NO is an Amsterdam-based producer who specialises in a super fast style of gqom that might be a bit much for the fainthearted

https://soundcloud.com/tdotno/1-cadence-1?in=tdotno/sets/combat

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cg2L0_jPdRI

BabyDaiz - Allonsy

I don't know anything about BabyDaiz, but this is great. riyl Rema in HEIS mode

Working my way through the OKayAfrica 2025 lists that dj martian posted last year. This is pretty great from Sudan
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ieWYePUoUFY

Check this out by ARTICLE15 from Congo, 'Robokop'. Love the interpolation of "Petit Papa Noel" (famous French children's Christmas song). Whack CC subs on for the lyrics too.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q2NcMVn0sM4

xxp 'Allonsy' is great

Robokop is brilliant. Time to dig into the Congo scene I think; here's another very cool BabyDaiz song:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zHTf1t4H0FU

Allez Tobina Remix Ft. Rebo

minimalist Afro-house from South African Tea White - "Season"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z-GEIKJlYvo

Rob / others in this thread if you ever come to Bristol, UK you must come (and DJ?) at my Terrain night

Follow-up to Shake it to the Max is here featuring Rema, though Skillibeng is really given all the space. Not in the same dimension, but I like it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UvoxXFakSyY
Silent Addy, Rema, Skillibeng & Disco Neil - Ballerina

Not necessarily her most memorable, but nothing wrong with it and AS always worth posting

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ALDqFM9dPQ
Ayra Starr - Where do we go

Dlala Thukzin still got it. This edit is very short but admittedly the long version does not do much more.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XDq11_LZuU8
Zee Nxumalo, Dlala Thukzin - Awe Mah

<3 awe mah

I wasn't completely wowed by Zee and Dlala new one though I do love her calling someone a "cheeseboy" (whatever that is)

cheers dog latin! two of my oldest friends live in Bristol, so hopefully I will actually be able to take you up on that some day (though I do not know how to dj lol)

Ballerina is alright. I was gonna complain that since Silent Addy is Jamaican it's kind of weird to post it itt, but Rema is so much more the highlight over Skillibeng so n/m

I've been a good person. Technically late 2025 (from his album) but new to me and a video is out.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qScsIn8UCcM
Young Jonn feat. Asake & Focalistic - 2 Factor

Reminds me of Dunnie and Qing Madi, but better ? Dutch Ghanaian girl.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tC454PNk6TQ
Nana Fofie - Where it hurts

This one is slick and could please some people here. Very different from your usual Tanzania.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QnyOKHzoWBo
Itaré - Pretty Girl

Ruger being out-rugered

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OiunuwJI_4U
Bayanni - Stick to the Plan

Ballerina is alright. I was gonna complain that since Silent Addy is Jamaican it's kind of weird to post it itt, but Rema is so much more the highlight over Skillibeng so n/m
― obvious old hat (rob), jeudi 12 mars 2026 18:09 (six days ago) bookmarkflaglink

I actually agree, but we don't have a thread, do we? The reggae/dancehall one wasn't reconducted since last year, is there another ?

I wasn't completely wowed by Zee and Dlala new one though I do love her calling someone a "cheeseboy" (whatever that is)
― curmudgeon, jeudi 12 mars 2026 17:56 (six days ago) bookmarkflaglink

I assumed she meant Geez, boy, but now you have me thinking

xp We do! Sorry, I gave it a confusing name: rolling surf the riddim 2026

Though not entirely deliberately confusing, in my defence; the JA scene remains kind of disappointing imo, while there is a ton of exciting energy in la francophonie and dancehall-influenced music elsewhere. otoh I also started posting stuff from Mauritius and La Réunion in that thread, so I certainly shouldn't be policing this one lol

You are officially excused because now I know there's a genre of music called Bouyon (bouillon, as in bouillon cube).

hmm that raises the tantalizing prospect of a genre called bouillabaisse

beastie boys did it

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CDRZnWCGPY4

Didi B feat Zlatan, Chley - Je m’appelle

This is cool, is it borrowing some SA sound I'm not familiar with? it has an earlier era of amapiano vibe to me, but e.g., I'm not quite sure what 3-step sounds like

I like it!

Didi B is Ivorian, so there's a hint of coupé decalé in there but other than that I'd say it's amapiano really

I just read that Didi B is Ivorian and Wiki and another site I looked at said Zlatan is Nigerian while I see that Chley is South African

A friend suggested Didi B is part of the Rap Ivoire scene, which I'd not heard of before but am now very interested in

francophone west african rap is consistently the best

i liked didi b's double album last year, diyilem & bazarhoff: genius

ufo, please feel free to post any highlights from that double album! the thread is quiet enough that personally I'm fine with ignoring the year

here's a brand new one though:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5uZ25_etXHk

Fally Ipupa - Jam (ft. Wizkid)

Wizkid is pretty dominant for a feature

This gqom banger is from a year ago but it's new to me and whooaaoaoaoa

General C'mamane - Money Tree

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7zBdO8wzlEk

sick track

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c-ZfhAbcG4c

BabyDaiz - Coupé

I'm happy I put 3-step in the title cause it's clearly the year for it to explode. This is from Dec 25. MaWhoo has really become South Africa's top singer right now.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gd-XuJkGCaY
Nkosazana Daughter, MaWhoo, Essa Kay & Skillz - Khetha

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tQBsWH99Pyk
DJ Maphorisa, GL_Ceejay, Jazzworx & Da Lee LS - AIBOO

And an older one from 2024 that I completely missed with always delicious vocals from Ami Faku
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vznEXGFTjSI
Caiiro - Ndisize feat. Ami Faku

And I don't think we posted Tholukuthi last year, exactly the kind of low-key banger where you can nod appreciatingly
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cmx50Kh1lVQ
JAZZWRLD, GL_Ceejay & Thukuthela - Tholukuthi (Clap Song)

You guys are sleeping. SA is back in that zone where everything sounds golden and amazing and they can do no wrong, first time since the Amapiano boom imo.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nkE3yC5PQRE
MaWhoo, Sami'Kay & MSA - Nam Angeke

Sami Kay has a string of singles that are on the warm side of South African House / 3-step.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ampI5SXtAmA
Sami Kay & Misokuhle - Egoli

Ciza of Isaka 6am's fame is also killing it

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tHxYT5b8ggY
Ciza - Yivule

Also dig this: throwback to jazzy amapiano with Amaarae-style vocals and slowed-down rnb vibes
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BlsMHH7EasA
JayJayy, Mordecai - Mgani Wami

This whole JayJayy album is incredible -- thank you!

I liked the original of this but the update is even better

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uo_BnlG9zKM

Nigerian pop is doing more attempts at 3-step -- new Zinoleesky eg

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IR1_rHkXdkI

And one other one that I liked recently, also a 3-step blend

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kFR2s52nMRQ

Nigerian dj Spinall is doing events in dc, Boston, Philly this weekend

Those singles are definitely intriguing and exciting cr4bdbgs, I like Lwetse in particular, just Nigerians still have to find the recipe :)

Jazzwrld has the best sound right now and I think he knows it

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WnmgItmroVo
JAZZWRLD - Ningikhonzele

It is definitely true that I'm sleeping on SA, but I just listened to "Nam Angeke" and liked it a lot so I plan to rectify that. I

n the meantime, is this SA-influenced? because the production is fantastic, love how it subtly amps up as it goes along:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HRfb4NVD8LE

Blaqbonez - Chanel (feat. Asake)

South African Amapiano act Mas Musiq has officially cancelled his scheduled United States tour dates, citing unforeseen circumstances beyond his control.

This whole JayJayy album is incredible -- thank you!
― cr4bdbgs, lundi 18 mai 2026 19:38 (two weeks ago) bookmarkflaglink

Late reply but I listened to it and agree it's good to very good, even if nothing quite touches Mngani Wami - I've listened to that one a lot - fantastic song, does something really special and addictive, also my favorite chorus in a long time.

This is nicely light and springy

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z3Zvr_oZ2Q8
Victony - Fre$h

I didn't really react to it the first time, but this is worth posting

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PAZ0eGMWhuM
BNXN & Sarz - Back outside

On a more experimental side

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nXL-j_zaHrU
Muzi & Msaki - Khethile

Naledi, "Fre$h" and "Kthethile" are both extremely my shit, and "Back Outside" is good too - thank you!!!

With pleasure, really like them both myself. I'm intrigued by the Fre$h outro - fooled me it was another song starting and possibly an even better one.

yeah i was like "where do i hear this!?!"

Need to catch up on some of the above. Listening now to R2Bees, who folks have posted about occasionally here on ILM since like 2015 and who are coming to DC later this month

When I first got into 'afrobeats' and listened to DJ Abrantee mixes, the R2Bees tracks were often my favourites. But they kinda got left behind along with most of the other artists from Ghana on those mixes.

Thanks to everyone keeping this thread alive. So much good music :)

Just posted over on the albums of the year thread, but the amapiano/South African stuff on my albums list so far:

JayJayy: Detour
Djy Biza: Art of War
Djy Ora: The SGIDONOLOGIST2
Zee Nxumalo & Dlala Thukzin: Inznja Zam Vol. 1 EP
Uncle Waffles & Royal MusiQ: 4 DA STREETS! EP

https://daily.bandcamp.com/album-of-the-day/various-artists-mzansi-bass-curated-by-shannen-sp-review

Mzansi bass compilation of various South African club beat styles put together for a label from elsewhere

That link above is to the daily Bandcamp review. I like this part of the description on the label’s link for the album

At its core, the compilation was built through a process shaped by Johannesburg’s electronic underground culture; studio hopping, whatsapp groups, new tracks tested in cars on the way to the club, and similarly informed by Durban’s unique ecosystem where convoys of taxi drivers equipped with huge sound systems throw informal gqom raves, functioning as distributors when USBs change hands, circulating new sounds and styles before they reach any formal platform

https://tratratrax.bandcamp.com/album/mzansi-bass-compilation

Ayra Starr has a new single, she's also featuring on a fun Peggy Gou single (Wo, man)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=90jy5Jgzb-Y
Ayra Starr - Tornado

A sweet flowing long Amapiano track that goes on forever in a good way

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bnsURjDwPmA
ShaunMusiq, Bassie, LeeMcKrazy, Mashudu - Ngiyak'cela

Also let it be known that I'm a big fan of Thatohatsi ever since I heard (and saw the video of) Amalanga. This one builds up nicely.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SN2JALXpSV8
Thakzin & Thatohatsi - Mele Bakuzwe

love that compilation

Cosign on the great compilation from TraTraTrax

One that I'm returning to.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M3gpgxx72Nw
Zee Nxumalo - Ngithathiwe

https://autotunetheworld.bandcamp.com/album/studio-simpa-digital-dance-music-on-vcd-from-dagbon-ghana

Studio Simpa: Digital dance music on VCD from Dagbon, Ghana

Hi-energy electronic dance music from Northern Ghana, created by farmers turned musicians working out of DIY rural studios. Relentless percussion, trance loops, heavy autotune and slinky VST synths. Sourced from locally-released VCDs circulating the markets of Dagbon and entirely unavailable outside the region until now.

Studio Simpa collects tracks from the past decade of the neo-traditional Dagomba dance genre, modernized traditional percussion dance - produced by Mohamed “Ebony” Fuseini, recording drums on his phone and recreating the sound of traditional music via FL Studio. Collaborating with “Gawani”, flashy singers from the surrounding villages and local VCD producers, Ebony created hyper-electronic versions of simpa for the local video market, complete with suggestive videos of women shaking their hips - light cultural transgression in the predominantly Muslim Dagomba North.

The compilation showcases the top artists of the scene - Dickson Gawani, Bala Zaaku, Yaa Naara and others - across a range of style and subject, from political commentary to warrior clan rhythms. Includes extensive liner notes by Morgan Greenstreet with artist interviews, cultural history, and song translations.

Compilation curated by Morgan Greenstreet and Christopher Kirkley
Research and interviews conducted by
Morgan in December 2023, following an initial visit in 2015. Chris K runs the Sahel Sounds label, and Morgan “modrums” Greenstreet, is the drummer in Loboko and producer for Lollise

I wanted to hate this prom-theme-ass song, but it got me (it's not as good as Back Outside though):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bVtmoS5Dcck

BNXN & Sarz - Emotional High

Speaking of being won over, I'll accept this feel-good song

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JWsLroEUftI
Felo le Tee, Miikey Ndlovu, Mlooda feat. Q Bonqe - Ithuba

Also worth nothing that we keep expanding our 3-step playlist (or adjacent), including with 2025 songs. I'm starting to think of this sound as the final merge between South African House, Amapiano and Gqom. It's on the gentle and intense side, but that suits my personality.
- Zee Nxumalo, Skillz & Sykes - Mamma
- LKG and MSA feat. Sami Kay, Misokuhle - Lengoma
- Jazzwrld, Thukuthela, Babalwa M - Uvalo
- Piano City, Kelvin Momo, Thathohatsi - Amalanga

For 2026, my holy quinity is:
- Ningikhonzele - song of the year, what a vocal track, simply stellar
- Awe Mah
- Nam Angeke
- Phesheya
- Khetha

Jazzwrld so expertly blends those great voices and the instrumental rhythms on that one and others

Ningikhonzele song I mean

Via Brad Luen's substack and Bluesky I learned about Feza Langa's South African maskandi genre style late 2025 “Umaqondana” song and his number one on 2026 South African streaming song "Sengithole Omunye" that is popular both in the original version and the remix. He's from the mostly Zulu town of Nquthu. The harmonic vocal style and the instrumentation here on "Sengithole Omunye (feat. Chulumanco M) (remix)" is more traditional Zulu with early 1980s roots. Maskandi-rooted South African pop is not like amapiano.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lf9Q7_myCAw

“Biama is basically coupé-décalé 2.0, like at 200% speed,” says Cédric Kouamé, a music producer and chief archivist at Baoulecore Archive Center in the Angrè district of Abidjan. “Like maïmouna, it comes from Yopougon . Most trends start [in] Yopougon. It is basically where a lot of artists started their career.

From Guardian article

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/aug/04/biama-dance-ivorian-pop-culture-cote-d-ivoire-tik-tok

digging this
https://hakunakulala.bandcamp.com/album/skeffu

xps ok where do i find some biama tracks? 'coupe decale at 200% speed' sounds like a crazy idea for a genre, i want to hear that

2025 article on biama that names some artists

https://pan-african-music.com/en/biama-enfant-terrible-coupe-decale/

I haven't heard the rest of Ayra Starr's new album, but "Ms Paper" w/Theodora is rad:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5fCwU7NNdBg

critic Brad Luen is excited about one of South African Nandipha808 2 albums out this year -Who Made Who that is a collaboration with Caaza. Nandipha808 also put out Private Members Only this year and "No Vocals" album in 2025.