Kelvin Momo – South Africa
Kelvin Momo’s 2025 run cemented him as Amapiano’s premier architect and makes him the obvious frontrunner going into 2026. On 30 May 2025 he released Thato Ya Modimo, a sprawling 29‑track project that debuted at No. 8 on Spotify’s Top Global Albums chart and amassed 1.8 million streams in its first 24 hours, with every song entering Apple Music South Africa’s Top 50 and the album surpassing 10 million streams within a week. His follow‑up album Nwana Wa Mutsonga arrived on 11 December 2025, continuing his tradition of year‑end releases and adding another 31 songs to his repertoire. Across 2025 he racked up over 71 million Spotify streams, ranking him among the top three most‑streamed artists in South Africa, while Apple Music listed him as its No. 2 most‑streamed act and noted his single “Bo Gogo” in its Top Songs list. The Da Muziqal Chef collaboration hit No. 2 on Apple Music’s overall chart and passed 1 million Spotify streams according to Yanos Magazine. These numbers underscore Momo’s global pull; his lush “private school” arrangements dominated parties and playlists, and his shows from Johannesburg to London sold out months in advance. With two full albums worth of fresh material, viral tracks like “Shapa Katara” and his role as a producer for acts like Nkosazana Daughter, Kelvin Momo enters 2026 with unmatched catalog depth, streaming momentum and live‑set demand that justify his No. 1 ranking.
Kabza De Small – South Africa
Arguably the “King of Amapiano,” Kabza De Small continued to dominate streaming and charts in 2025 and shows no sign of slowing in 2026. According to Spotify Wrapped 2025 he was South Africa’s most‑streamed artist with nearly 200 million streams, far ahead of his peers. His July 18 release Bab’Motha (preceded by the single “Kabza Chant 2.0” featuring Nobuhle, Nkosazana Daughter and Sykes) showcased his versatility and introspection, pairing spiritual chords with log‑drum grooves and bringing in collaborators across generations. The album spawned multiple club staples and dominated Spotify’s African Heat and Apple Music’s Amapiano Essentials playlists through the second half of the year. Kabza also co‑produced the blockbuster single “Biri Marung” with DJ Maphorisa and Mr Pilato, which reached No. 1 on South Africa’s official singles chart, peaked at No. 3 on Shazam’s global chart, entered Spotify’s Global Viral Top 50 at No. 12 and topped charts in 24 countries. His global reach was amplified by sold‑out “Scorpion Kings” live shows with DJ Maphorisa, including stadium gigs at Loftus Versfeld where over 50 000 fans danced along. With another album rumoured for mid‑2026 and a schedule of European festival dates, Kabza’s prolific output, streaming leadership and international resonance warrant a strong No. 2 placement.
DJ Maphorisa – South Africa
DJ Maphorisa’s stature as Amapiano’s cross‑genre ambassador made 2025 a watershed year. He finished the year with about 155 million Spotify streams, second only to Kabza De Small in South Africa. His collaborative ethos produced viral hits: “Biri Marung” with Mr Pilato, Focalistic and Kabza dominated charts globally, while “Uyaphapha Marn” and “Abantwana Bakho” (featuring Visca and others) were among the most‑streamed tracks on Spotify’s global Amapiano playlist. On the Spotify Global Impact List of South African exports, Mapho had five entries, underscoring his international footprint. His 2025 EP Hao Khonagale turned personal controversy into a cultural moment—OkAyAfrica noted how he shaped his headlines into club‑friendly anthems. Beyond streaming, Mapho’s production credits extended to Nigerian and East African stars, bringing log drums to Afrobeats singles. He headlined Coachella’s Heineken House and toured Europe with Kabza, selling out venues in London, Paris and Berlin. Mapho’s knack for discovering voices like Nkosazana Daughter and Young Stunna, his ability to shape the Amapiano narrative, and his constant release schedule make him indispensable heading into 2026.
Tyla – South Africa/Global
Fresh off her 2024 global breakout with “Water,” Tyla spent 2025 proving she could blend R&B and Afrobeats into a pop‑leaning Amapiano hybrid. She appeared on three of the 30 most internationally streamed South African tracks on Spotify’s Global Impact List, including her singles “Show Me Love”, “Bliss” and the feature‑laden “PUSH 2 START Remix.” Her December 2025 single “Chanel,” released in partnership with HYBE’s new Afro‑pop imprint, climbed to No. 26 on the Billboard Global 200 and signalled a strategic push into North America. Tyla’s 2025 streaming numbers grew accordingly—she closed the year with over 10 million monthly Spotify listeners and strong placements on Apple Music’s Today’s Hits and Pop Hits playlists. She also toured extensively: a U.S. spring run opened for Chris Brown and included sold‑out headline dates in London and Paris, while festival appearances at Essence Fest and Global Citizen emphasised her crossover appeal. With a debut album slated for mid‑2026 and major label resources behind her, Tyla’s ability to fuse Amapiano’s rhythms with global pop makes her one of the most exciting artists to watch next year.
Dlala Thukzin – South Africa
Dlala Thukzin continued to stretch Amapiano’s boundaries in 2025 by fusing Gqom rhythms and Afro‑tech textures. His single “Sohlala Sisonke,” released in early 2025, was hailed by Music In Africa as a standout follow‑up to his smash “IPlan.” The accompanying music video featured high‑energy choreography and quickly went viral. Later in the year his collaborative track “Biri Marung” (with Mr Pilato, Focalistic, Kabza De Small and DJ Maphorisa) reached No. 1 on South Africa’s official singles chart, climbed to No. 3 on Shazam’s global rankings and broke into Spotify’s Global Viral 50 at No. 12, giving him his first international chart entry. Thukzin’s 2025 festival schedule included sets at Rocking the Daisies, OppiKoppi and Afropunk, where his live remixes of “IPlan” and “Sohlangana” sparked huge dance circles. On streaming platforms, he maintained over 2 million monthly listeners and saw his EP Permanent Music 3 enter Apple Music SA’s top 10. As he prepares a new full‑length and international tour for 2026, his genre‑blending productions, chart‑validated hits and electrifying DJ sets justify a top‑five ranking.
Focalistic & Ch’cco – South Africa
The partnership between rapper Focalistic and vocalist Ch’cco yielded one of 2025’s most ambitious Amapiano projects. Their September 2025 album B.O.A.T.S. (Based On A True Story) fused hip‑hop swagger with smooth pianos and log‑drums, producing tracks like “Beyoncé Baby,” “Sports Mode,” “Duku Duku” and “Haena Wrongo.” OkAyAfrica observed that the duo sampled Bujo Mujo’s kwaito classic “Shiwelele” on “Beyoncé Baby” and channelled their onstage chemistry from Scorpion Kings Live at Loftus into the record. Freshmen Magazine noted that the previously released single “Basela” neared 500 000 Spotify streams and had been added to flagship playlists like Spotify’s AmaPiano Grooves and Apple Music’s Amapiano Essentials. Ceconline reported similar streaming numbers and emphasised that the project “reimagines the genre,” blending narrative skits and introspective verses. The album’s success carried over to live shows, with Focalistic and Ch’cco headlining the B.O.A.T.S. tour across South Africa and Europe; several dates sold out within hours. With plans for deluxe editions and international collaborations in 2026, the pair’s knack for storytelling and hit‑making justifies their mid‑list position.
Major League DJz – South Africa/Global
Twin brothers Bandile and Banele Mbere—known as Major League DJz—spent 2025 taking Amapiano from township rooftops to global stages. On 20 March 2025 they released “Come With Me” featuring UK singer Jorja Smith, marking their foray into electronic‑leaning Amapiano. The track received an exclusive early spin by BBC DJ Pete Tong at KOKO London and was playlisted on BBC 1Xtra, showing crossover appeal. The duo then headlined two sold‑out KOKO shows in April, furthering their UK presence. Throughout the year Major League hosted their “Balcony Mix Africa” sessions across Ibiza, Mykonos and Johannesburg, featuring guest DJs like Uncle Waffles and Musa Keys. Their YouTube channel crossed 350 million total views, and their Spotify monthly listeners remained above 1.5 million. Collaborations with East African stars (e.g., Diamond Platnumz) and Nigerian acts (e.g., Joeboy) hinted at a pan‑African direction. With a new album scheduled for early 2026 and partnerships with electronic labels, the DJz’ relentless touring, cross‑continental collaborations and role as ambassadors for the sound keep them near the top of this list.
Uncle Waffles – Eswatini/South Africa
Uncle Waffles’ meteoric rise continued through 2025, positioning her as Amapiano’s most recognisable DJ globally. A CEConline profile from August 2025 dubbed her the “Princess of Amapiano,” noting that she had amassed 6.2 million followers across social platforms, including 3.3 million on TikTok and 384 000 YouTube subscribers, and that she performed at Coachella and Cannes earlier in the year. She also became the face of Adidas South Africa’s Originals campaign, underscoring her brand value. Essence magazine chronicled her “We Love Waffles” tour, which headlined NYC’s Pier 17 in September and followed a sold‑out 2024 show at Brooklyn Mirage. On the decks, her mixes combined slow‑burn piano grooves with sped‑up percussion, inspiring viral dance challenges; her live mash‑up of “Tanzania” and “Hayi” trended on TikTok with over 200 000 creations. Her streaming releases—such as the 2025 single “Echoes” with Tony Duardo—landed on Apple Music’s Africa Now and Spotify’s New Music Friday playlists. As she prepares her debut EP and continues to break ground as a female DJ, Uncle Waffles’ star power, cross‑sector endorsements and tour chops make her a key figure to watch in 2026.
Zee Nxumalo – South Africa
Zee Nxumalo’s soulful vocals and relatable storytelling saw her ascend from newcomer to leading lady in 2025. Her August 22 release “Mamma” featuring Skillz and Sykes resonated with listeners and surpassed 11 million YouTube views by December. Earlier in the year her ballad “Ngisakuthanda” topped Apple Music South Africa’s all‑genre singles chart and held the No. 1 spot on Shazam South Africa, remaining one of the country’s most‑streamed songs. Zee was crowned SofFree Artist of the Year at the Basadi in Music Awards and secured two nominations at the 2025 South African Music Awards, as well as four nominations for Ukhozi FM’s Song of the Year. She also collaborated with Kelvin Momo on “Ungayeki,” which gained traction on Spotify’s Amapiano Grooves playlist. With her debut album slated for early 2026 and co‑signs from veterans like Kabza De Small, Zee’s fusion of traditional vocals and modern piano beats positions her as Amapiano’s next superstar.
Musa Keys – South Africa
Musa Keys reinforced his status as one of Amapiano’s biggest exports in 2025. In November he released “Nomathemba” featuring Dominique, a melodic single celebrating long‑distance love; Daily News hailed him as one of South Africa’s leading Amapiano ambassadors and noted that he frequently travels abroad to showcase African music. Earlier in the year, his collaboration with Davido and Nigerian duo Musa Keys & Davido “Holy Water” landed on Spotify’s list of the most internationally streamed South African tracks, further boosting his global profile. Musa maintained over 3 million monthly listeners on Spotify and logged regular placements on Apple Music’s Africa Now playlist. His production on tracks for Tyla and Major League DJz evidenced his versatility. Live, he toured Europe and Asia, headlining shows in London, Dubai and Bangkok and performing at AfroNation Portugal. With a new EP teased for mid‑2026, Musa’s consistency in releasing quality music, cross‑African collaborations and international touring schedule make him a must‑watch.
Nkosazana Daughter – South Africa
Nkosazana Daughter’s haunting voice continued to elevate Amapiano tracks in 2025 while she stepped into the spotlight as a solo act. She was honoured as Musician of the Year at the 2025 Feather Awards, highlighting her growing influence. Her duet with Kabza De Small and Nobuhle on “Kabza Chant 2.0” helped drive pre‑orders for his Bab’Motha album. She also featured prominently on Kelvin Momo’s Thato Ya Modimo and on Focalistic & Ch’cco’s “Basela,” where her ethereal runs bridged rap verses and piano chords. On her own, she released the single “Izitha” in October 2025, which entered Spotify’s AmaPiano Grooves playlist and reached the top 20 on Apple Music South Africa. Nkosazana’s live schedule included slots at the DSTV Delicious Festival and a European mini‑tour with stops in Paris and Amsterdam. With plans for a debut album and growing radio support on Metro FM and BBC 1Xtra, the singer’s emotive delivery and high‑profile collaborations position her as a key breakout for 2026.
Pabi Cooper – South Africa
Pabi Cooper had a quieter release schedule in 2025 but remained a cultural force through inventive promotion and live performance. In December she launched a street campaign for her single “Pelo Tse Thata”—handing out USBs with the song to taxi drivers and street vendors in Johannesburg and performing surprise mini‑shows—which garnered national media coverage. Her earlier hits “Banyana Ke Bafana” and “Isiphithiphithi” continued to clock millions of streams and kept her in heavy rotation on 5FM and YFM. She maintained about 1 million monthly listeners on Spotify and had songs placed on Apple Music’s Africa Now Radio. Cooper also co‑hosted the televised InstaFest and performed at the Johannesburg leg of the AmaFest Tour. A new EP tentatively titled *CooperMix* is slated for early 2026, and her influence as a female MC and dancer ensures she stays on the radar.
Kamo Mphela – South Africa
2025 saw Kamo Mphela transition from viral dance star to full‑fledged recording artist. Her July single “Partii” ignited a global dance challenge that amassed over 90 million views across TikTok and Instagram, according to a Music In Africa report. The song’s catchy hook and energetic log‑drum rhythm landed it on Spotify’s African Heat and Apple Music’s Amapiano Hits playlists, while its music video surpassed 8 million views. Kamo spent much of the year on the road, performing at Nigeria’s Detty December concerts, the Nairobi leg of Major League’s Balcony Mix and the Red Bull Dance Your Style World Final in Johannesburg. Her performance at the DSTV Delicious Festival received rave reviews for her choreography and live vocals. With co‑signs from Busiswa and a remix featuring Nigerian star Joeboy, Kamo is poised to release her debut project in 2026. Her ability to fuse dance performance and music creation sets her apart in the Amapiano landscape.
Sha Sha – Zimbabwe/South Africa
Widely hailed as the “Queen of Amapiano,” Sha Sha made a triumphant return in 2025. After a hiatus, she released the single “Ungakhali” on 25 August 2025, which blended her emotive vocals with airy piano chords and signalled a new chapter. The song’s release was accompanied by a series of intimate shows across Gqeberha, Cape Town and Soweto, all of which sold out. Fans praised her surprise drop and the promise of more music teased on Instagram a month later. Sha Sha also appeared on Kelvin Momo’s Thato Ya Modimo and was a guest at Kabza De Small’s Scorpion Kings Live show, reminding audiences of her pioneering role in the genre. With a new album expected in 2026 and renewed momentum, Sha Sha’s combination of silky vocals and Amapiano credibility makes her an essential artist to watch.
Mellow & Sleazy – South Africa
The production duo Mellow & Sleazy continued their hit‑making streak in 2025 while teasing an evolution in sound. A Yanos Magazine piece highlighted that they were gearing up to release a new project and reminded readers of their earlier successes such as “Bopha” and “Nkao Tempela,” which dominated charts in 2021 and 2022. Although their 2025 output was relatively sparse, the pair remained in demand as producers, contributing beats to Pabi Cooper’s upcoming EP and working with newcomers like Makhanj. Their DJ sets at festivals such as AmaFest, Rocking the Daisies and the Burning Man‑style Afrikaburn drew large crowds, and their signature log‑drum sound continued to influence the scene. With a new EP slated for early 2026 and talk of collaborations with Nigerian Afro‑fusion acts, Mellow & Sleazy still command attention on this list.
Young Stunna – South Africa
Young Stunna spent much of 2025 recovering from a knee injury, yet his return to the stage in September was one of the year’s most‑anticipated comebacks. According to Yanos Magazine, he announced his return and planned to make up for cancelled shows. During his hiatus his 2021 anthem “Adiwele” and features on Kabza De Small’s “Abalele” and DJ Maphorisa’s “Bopha” continued to rack up streams, keeping him in the conversation. He maintained more than 800 000 monthly listeners on Spotify and his surprise appearance at the Scorpion Kings Live show drew a massive reaction. With new music teased on social media and a rumoured collaboration with Tyler ICU, Young Stunna’s charismatic delivery and emotional storytelling position him for a strong return in 2026.
Makhanj – South Africa
Makhanj is part of Amapiano’s next wave of producers making noise in 2025. OkAyAfrica’s round‑up of new Amapiano artists praised his track “Bawo Vula” for its immersive synth lines and devotional vocals. The song gained traction on community radio and was featured on Spotify’s AmaPiano Grooves playlist. Makhanj followed up with EP Angelic Rhythms, which blended church‑choir harmonies with log‑drum drops and earned coverage in DJ Mag. He played at underground events like Kota Festival and warmed up for Kelvin Momo’s Pretoria show, where his set attracted Shazam queries in Johannesburg and Tshwane. With a debut album slated for 2026 and talk of collaborations with international gospel artists, Makhanj’s blend of spirituality and groove earns him a spot on this list.
DJ Micsir – South Africa
A former street DJ turned producer, DJ Micsir garnered attention in 2025 with his EP Amapiano Street Culture, which OkAyAfrica noted features heavy hitters like Pcee and blends gritty township textures with polished sonics. The project’s lead single “Taxi Riddim” scored radio play on YFM and Metro FM and trended on TikTok with over 50 000 creations. Micsir’s mixes for the Balcony Mix platform introduced him to global audiences, and he supported Major League DJz at shows in Lagos and Accra. With a work‑ethic honed from playing long township sets and a knack for combining old‑school kwaito with modern log drums, DJ Micsir is positioned for a breakout year in 2026.
Soul Keys – South Africa
Pianist‑turned‑producer Soul Keys offered one of 2025’s most introspective Amapiano projects. His single “Bazamile” paired melancholic chord progressions with soothing vocals and landed on Apple Music’s Amapiano Essentials playlist. OkAyAfrica highlighted that his project Mpho (“gift” in seTswana) delivered reflective melodies and showcased his jazz training. Soul Keys performed at venues like The Orbit in Johannesburg and headlined the Piano Stories series, where he incorporated live keyboards into his DJ sets. His songs were Shazamed frequently in Pretoria and Cape Town as fans sought out the emotive tracks they heard in clubs. With collaborations slated with Nkosazana Daughter and cross‑over experiments blending Amapiano with neo‑soul, Soul Keys is an artist to watch in the coming year.
Bandros – South Africa
Bandros capped our top 20 thanks to a strong 2025 showing and his potential for 2026. OkAyAfrica observed that his project Never Stop The Music features heavyweights such as Calvin Fallace and Njelic and explores a more mature sonic palette with deeper basslines and lush synths. The EP’s lead track “Uthando Lami” received spins on Metro FM and trended on Shazam in Durban. Bandros also contributed production to Kelvin Momo’s Thato Ya Modimo and DJ Maphorisa’s Hao Khonagale, demonstrating his behind‑the‑scenes influence. He performed at festivals like Black Coffee’s Zone 6 and the Soweto Block Party, where his sets mixed unreleased tracks that have since leaked on TikTok. With a full album planned for 2026 and his expanding network of collaborators, Bandros rounds out this list as a rising producer ready to make waves.
