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Spotify Wrapped 2022: Amapiano Dominates
“A song is something that we communicate to those people who otherwise would not understand where we are coming from. You could give them a long political speech – they would still not understand. But I tell you: when you finish that song, people will be like ‘Damn, I know where you nigga’s are comin’ from. Death unto Apartheid!” – Sifiso Ntuli
It is that time of the year where Spotify Wrapped 2022 is here and we can look back on the year that was as far as music is concerned. The streaming service’s annual offering is a “detailed snapshot of most loved artists, creators and songs,” according to a Spotify media release.
This year, Amapiano artists were the most streamed artists in South Africa, with the self-proclaimed King of Amapiano Kabza De Small being named the most streamed South African artist this year.
Kabza De Small was also the second most streamed artist overall in South Africa so his impact is truly undeniable. Kabza de Small began making music in 2009. Over a decade later he has become a heavyweight not just in relation to the genre but South Africa’s music scene as a whole. He was also the most streamed artist in South Africa on Spotify back in 2020. On top of that, Kabza De Small was also the most streamed South African artist globally, followed by DJ Maphorisa and Young Stunna.
Spotify’s Sub-Saharan Africa Head of Music Phiona Okumu said that Wrapped is the biggest campaign of the year on the Spotify calendar. “Our data team is also incredibly hard at work at this time of year, collating and checking all of the data that goes into creating our top lists and the artist and fan experiences,” she explained. “Music is such a personal experience,” says Okumu. “2022 Wrapped encourages listeners to peer into the vibrant kaleidoscope of their listening and show it off to the world.”
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Amapiano princess Uncle Waffles Embarks on her first US tour
“A song is something that we communicate to those people who otherwise would not understand where we are coming from. You could give them a long political speech – they would still not understand. But I tell you: when you finish that song, people will be like ‘Damn, I know where you nigga’s are comin’ from. Death unto Apartheid!” – Sifiso Ntuli
Lungelihle Zwane, popularly known by her stage name Uncle Waffles is someone who has been crucial to the exporting of the Amapiano sound. She rose to fame very quickly after a clip of her dancing while playing a set went viral on social media. It was to the point where she even gained international superstar Drake’s attention. Waffles has since been instrumental to the growth of the genre not just as a DJ and producer but as an artist. Earlier this year she dropped her EP ‘Red Dragon’ with the lead single Tanzania doing the rounds. Today the song has 6.5 million YouTube Views.
Since gaining international stardom, she has been responsible for a number of sold out shows all over the world, adding the US to that list this month. The move is unsurprising because in the past year, Waffles has shared stages with some huge names including Burna Boy, Davido, and Wizkid. The tour which started on November 23, will see her play in multiple cities including Chicago, Washington, Oakland, Los Angeles, Miami and Brooklyn. “I’ve learnt to trust myself and the hard work I put in, and remember that I’m not where I am by mistake”, she told Complex.
On Amapiano as a genre, she had the following to say per Complex:
I think ‘piano is a sound with no gatekeeping—it’s rooted in a genuine love and appreciation of music that invites everybody in. Amapiano is uniquely from South African youth culture that is rooted in collectivism, so everybody is welcome as long as they bring a good vibe. There’s a cultural and historical attachment to ‘piano due to it being purely African—it’s one of the first sounds native to South Africa.
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3 leading amapiano artists
“A song is something that we communicate to those people who otherwise would not understand where we are coming from. You could give them a long political speech – they would still not understand. But I tell you: when you finish that song, people will be like ‘Damn, I know where you nigga’s are comin’ from. Death unto Apartheid!” – Sifiso Ntuli
Back in 2019, right before the Covid-19 pandemic completely transformed the entire world, another transformation was taking place in South Africa. Let’s take it back to Afropunk’s 2019 New Year’s Eve festival in Johannesburg. Solange Knowles was headlining this festival, performing to a crowd of approximately 20 000 fans. Following her set was a 45-minute long set by DJ Moma. He began with trap, transitioned into Afrobeats and then asked the crowd they were ready for the yanos. Yanos is a local slang term that is short for Amapiano. Moma then dropped ‘Labantwana Ama Uber’ by Semi Tee. It was one of the biggest songs of that December and the crowd went absolutely wild. “I’ve just never felt anything like it,” he explained. “It was unbelievable.”
During and after the pandemic, Amapiano’s reign has persisted not only in the country, but all over the world. Below is a list of some of the most prominent artists that the genre has to offer.
Kabza De Small and DJ Maphorisa
Before the duo dropped their debut collaborative record ‘Scorpion Kings’ in 2019, Kabza de Small and DJ Maphorisa, as the title of their project suggests, were already being considered the kings of the Amapiano genre. Although being in the industry for about a decade before his global success, Maphorisa’s single ‘Midnight Starring‘ that dropped in 2018 is what took him to the top. He has since produced for Drake, Black Coffee, Major Lazer and more. His partner in crime Kabza De Small holds equal weight as the self-proclaimed “King of Amapiano”. The DJ and producer is considered as one of the genre’s pioneers
Major League DJz
“We started a movement called ‘new age Kwaito’ with our peers”, they told Forbes Africa. “This movement was all about making Kwaito music look pretty and young. And after that, we went into Amapiano. Amapiano is Kwaito but falls more onto the dance/house side.” The twins have had global success and are popular for their “balcony mixes” with millions of views on YouTube.
DBN GOGO
Her debut album that dropped last month titled Whats Real is a complete Amapiano project. DBN Gogo dropped an hour-and-fifteen-minute long album just in time for the festive season in South Africa this December.
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The Golden Age of South African Sound
“A song is something that we communicate to those people who otherwise would not understand where we are coming from. You could give them a long political speech – they would still not understand. But I tell you: when you finish that song, people will be like ‘Damn, I know where you nigga’s are comin’ from. Death unto Apartheid!” – Sifiso Ntuli
Image via unclewaffles_ Instagram
South Africa’s historical background was not a pleasant one for many years. The Apartheid regime racially segregated those in the country and inflicted violence, pain and death on the Black community. As was the case during slavery in the U.S., the oppressed use music as a tool to bring vibrance and color to a dim reality.
When the Covid-19 pandemic rocked our worlds during a time that feels like yesterday, many of us sought comfort online through social media. Viral content and trends suddenly united people from all over the globe with Amapiano being one of those waves.
The Amapiano sound started to gain traction around 2018 and the effect it has had not only on the country but the world since then has been unbelievable. “It’s almost like it’s the heartbeat of the youth at the moment,” says Busiswa, a South African artist who also went on to collaborate with Beyoncé.
Arguably one of contemporary South Africa’s greatest exports, the Amapiano genre is bigger than just the sound; it brings joy to people all over the world. This has been accomplished through streaming platforms, viral dance challenges and now, tours and festivals headlined by those at the forefront of this golden age of sound.
Taking flight in South Africa where it exploded to different parts of the African continent in countries like; Nigeria, Kenya, Ghana and finally making its way abroad, Amapiano is undoubtedly a force to be reckoned with. True to form, the creators and curators of this wave like Kabza De Small, DJ Maphorisa, Major League DJz, DBN Gogo, Uncle Waffles and many more have placed their own twist on the sound, making variations custom fitted to their local fanbases. We take you on a journey that not only traces but takes you on a journey from Piano 2 The World.
PIANO 2 THE WORLD
A JOURNEY INTO SOUND
Piano 2 The World 