Amapiano, the infectious South African house music genre, has come a long way.
While its origins are debated, the consensus is clear: Amapiano is South African house music. However, not everyone discovered this fascinating and compelling sound at the same time.
For some, their first introduction to the genre was Viral video of “The Girl with the Whistle”, where Reneiloe Seemane vibes with “Jebson” by Kabza De Small and Thebelebe. For EDM.com Readers, the Amapiano wave spread in the second half of 2020, when we highlighted its growing influence on TikTok.
That was before Uncle Waffles sparked a new boom with his release “People Are Burning,” which not only transformed his career but also amplified the genre's global reach. Today, Amapiano resonates around the world, with TitoM & Yuppe's “Tshwala Bam” reverberating through clubs and social media.
“People are burning 😳” pic.twitter.com/H5JRg8sXHX
— Waffles🐉 (@unclewaffles) October 16, 2021
It would be difficult – and unconvincing – to attribute Amapiano's success to a single moment. Instead, the world is witnessing a remarkable domino effect of moments, platforms and artists that have collectively championed the Amapiano sound.
Since 2020, there have been an unmeasurable number of totemic moments for the genre. The 2021 BET HipHop Awards featured an Amapiano figure, Beatport officially recognized Amapiano as a genre the following year, and Uncle Waffles in 2023 became the first Amapiano DJ to perform on Coachella's legendary main stage. These milestones, along with specialized festivals, labels and agencies catering to the genre, have further fueled the genre's rise.
The Amapiano sound, a cocktail of sultry synths, euphoric keys and infectious percussion, has infiltrated clubs around the world and every corner of the internet, thanks to the DJs behind the decks. Their performances, social media posts, dance moves, mixes, and tracks have helped the genre's popularity skyrocket around the world.
As Amapiano continues to spread far beyond the confines of South Africa, here are 10 DJs you need on your radar.
TxC
What's better than a DJ Amapiano? Two. Most people swear that Tarryn Reid and Clairise Hefke are twins. The truth is that they are not. But like peanut butter and jelly, they harmonize effortlessly, enhancing each other's essence.
Their joint chemistry on stage has inspired countless female DJs to adopt the “TxC formula” by joining forces as a duo. Although many have emerged in its wake, TxC has stood out internationally as a pioneer. When they're not touring the US and Europe or playing clubs in Dubai, they're crafting Amapiano hits in the studio.
TxC is one of those Amapiano acts that everyone simply needs to see live at least once in their life. What sets their live performances apart from the rest is the entertaining and energetic way in which they command all stages, both large and small.
TENOCEANS
TENOCEANS is the rising star redefining South African house music. His experimental sounds and eclectic mixes span amapiano, gqom, afro-house, afro-tech and dance music.
Effortlessly combining various genres, TENOCEANS draws attention with unexpected sonic turns. His innovative style and fearless approach as a DJ has caught the attention of music executives and fans within the Amapiano community.
Delicious
Among Amapiano's vast group of talented DJs, Yumbs stands out as one of the most versatile. With a delicate balance between DJing and producing, he is an extraordinary collaborator.
When Yumbs isn't putting his special touch on remixes (like Ciara and Chris Brown's “How We Roll”), he's busy getting the crowd moving to Amapiano in clubs both at home and abroad.
muse keys
A favorite among partygoers and house music fans, Musa Keys brings a unique style to Amapiano. From DJing and producing to songwriting and singing, he is a true jack of all trades. His charismatic sets and catchy melodies have earned him widespread praise, including a 2023 Grammy nomination for the Amapiano-infused track “Available” featuring Davido.
Kelvin Momo
Kelvin Momo's approach to Amapiano is deeply moving. His songs often feature lush, atmospheric soundscapes that transport listeners to another realm. He's the kind of DJ you want at a brunch party at Amapiano, but make no mistake: he can also get the club jumping in a matter of seconds.
smoothies and
One word that comes to mind when most South Africans hear the name Shakes & Les is “funk”. They are best known for their debut EP, Funk Series, a colorful collection of various flavors from Amapiano. Although relatively new to the amapiano scene, Shakes & Les are quickly taking over the streets and clubs of South Africa.
justin99
Justin99 began his journey as a DJ in 2019 and has recently been achieving the success he deserves. This young and energetic DJ brings the fun to Amapiano. He and Uncle Waffles are the reason the world couldn't get the song “Yahyuppiyah” out of their heads in 2023.
KMAT
KMAT serves Amapiano with a side of Afro-tech. It's been four years since he took a leap of faith to start his DJ career, but today he is a staple in many local clubs and has been releasing his own records. If you look closely at KMAT's set, you will see a DJ who truly loves and enjoys the craft.
DJ Tshegu
On stage, DJ Tshegu is a genre-defying sensation and captivates audiences with his dynamic performances. Online, she is an amapean viral hitmaker, intuitively attuned to what her listeners crave. Her sets are constantly evolving and feature predominantly amapiano and house music with a touch of old school vibes. This versatile style allows him to unite audiences of all ages, fostering a shared appreciation for Amapiano.
Perla Asísi
Some people have the ability to be one thing and be good at one thing. Not immensely talented multipotentialites like Idris Elba, Shaq and Pearl Untili. Although Untili is widely known as an actress and media personality, her foray into Amapiano has been spectacular.
After spending years perfecting his craft and practicing until he achieved I couldn't take it anymoreThus, it made its debut at the Makhelwane Festival in Soweto. Since then, she has performed at venues across South Africa, delivering sets characterized by energetic South African house music and incredibly smooth transitions.
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