Amapiano: When, Where, How, Who & What Questions Of Amapiano Answered

Here are answers to the 20 of the “When, Where, How, Who & What Questions” of South Africa’s current music popular sub-genre, Amapiano.

1. Who is the founder of amapiano?

Due to various accounts, it is impossible to pinpoint the founder of Amapiano. However, Kabza De Small is credited for popularizing it. He said, “Amapiano music has always been there, but he’s (Mdu aka TRP) the one who came up with the log drum sound. These boys like experimenting. They always check out new plug-ins. SO when Mdu figured it out, he ran with it.”

2. Why is it called amapiano?

Amapiano is a Zulu word, and it is translated to mean “The Pianos”. This is because most of its instrumentals are majorly created on a Piano. As a result, it features high-pitched Piano melodies, among others. Famous duo, MFR Souls, are credited to have come up with the name.

3. What language is amapiano?

As mentioned earlier, Amapiano is Zulu. It is translated to mean “The Pianos” because of how much Piano melodies are used to form the sound.

4. Who is the best amapiano artist?

South African DJ and producer, Kabza De Small is credited to be the best Amapiano artist (DJ). He is known to have the most hits and most streams than any other Amapiano artist.

5. What are amapiano songs?

Amapiano songs are a hybrid of Deep House, Jazz and Lounge music. Amapiano is also considered a sub-genre of House music.

6. Did amapiano die?

No, Amapiano did not die. Instead, it has become more and more popular every year despite predictions that it would not thrive because of how fast it dominated the South African music scene.

7. When did amapiano become popular?

Despite originating in 2012, Amapiano became popular in 2019. It first claimed the South African charts and dance scenes (gaining major streams across various platforms). It has since spread across the African continent and the world.

8. When did amapiano dance start?

It is unclear when Amapiano dance started. However, dance challenges promoted the genre (songs majorly) across various social media platforms.

9. Where did amapiano originate from?

Amapiano is credited to have originated in Nongoma, South Africa, in the mid-2010s. However, it also spread across South Africa, including Pretoria, Mamelodi, Soweto and more.

10. Where did amapiano dance come/originate from?

It is not known who exactly started Amapiano dance or how it began. However, several artists and DJs, including the late Papers 707, were known to have popularized the dance.

11. When did amapiano start in South Africa?

Amapiano started in South Africa in the mid-2010s. However, some believe that it first began in 2012.

12. What culture did amapiano come from?

Amapiano is credited to have come from the Zulu culture of South Africa.

13. How to do amapiano dance?

Amapiano dance starts off groovy with foot movement and folded arms moving in sync. It is done first as a slow bounce and then a fast one. The hands sort of swim in the air, and then comes the footwork. Check the video out below.

14. Do amapiano artists make money? and how much?

Amapiano artists make money from streams and sales across digital platforms. Radio spins also help them get paid. In addition, live performance gigs help Amapiano artists get paid. The least price an Amapiano artist is paid is R10k.

15. What does amapiano mean?

Amapiano is Zulu for “The Pianos”.

16. What does amapiano sound like?

Amapiano sounds like a mix of House music (majorly Deep House), Jazz and Lounge music. In addition, there is usually a high pitched Piano sound that accompanies it.

17. Must have amapiano songs?

Here is a list of must-have Amapiano songs;

• Labantwana Ama Uber
• Encimbini – Kabza De Small & DJ Maphorisa
• Abalele – Kabza De Small, DJ Maphorisa, Ami Faku
• Amanikiniki – MFR Souls
• Ke Star – Focalistic & Vigro Deep
• John Vuli Gate – Mapara A Jazz

18. Best song of amapiano?

There is really no best song of Amapiano. However, many songs have dominated the South African airwaves and ones across the African continent. A few of them include “Ke Star” by Focalistic, Vigro Deep & Davido, “Encimbini” by DJ Maphorisa & Kabza De Small, “Labantwana Ama Uber” by Semi Tee, and more. To see the top South African music right now, visit our music chart section HERE.

19. How amapiano started?

Kabza said that Amapiano started with several young producers experimenting with beats in the studio. He credited Mdu, aka TRP, for figuring out the log drum, which makes Amapiano what it is. Kabza said, “he’s the one who came up with the log drum sound… SO when Mdu figured it out, he ran with it.”

20. How to make amapiano beat?

Watch the tutorial below to learn how to make an Amapiano beat on FL Studio.