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Amapiano
South Africa's log-drum house
Amapiano is a South African dance genre built on deep basslines, jazzy piano chords and the rolling log drum. It grew out of the townships of Gauteng in the 2010s and has since become one of Africa's most exported sounds.
Origin & history
Amapiano emerged in Gauteng province — Johannesburg, Pretoria and the surrounding townships — in the early 2010s, drawing on kwaito, deep house and jazz.
It spread first through taxi ranks, WhatsApp and SoundCloud rather than radio, and the log-drum bass that defines it became recognisable far beyond South Africa within a decade.
Notable artists
Kabza De Small
Producer widely described as a central figure in Amapiano's rise.
DJ Maphorisa
South African producer whose collaborations helped carry Amapiano abroad.
Where it lives
Where these artists come from
130 Amapiano artists are on TimTim.Live, and 129 of them have a public hometown. Here is where they come from.
Countries
- South Africa59
- Nigeria28
- Ghana6
- United Kingdom5
- DR Congo3
- France3
- Kenya2
- Rwanda2
- United States2
- Zimbabwe2
- Angola1
- Botswana1
Cities and places
- Johannesburg, South Africa6
- Rivers State, Nigeria6
- Limpopo, South Africa4
- Pretoria, South Africa4
- Soweto, South Africa4
- Durban, South Africa3
- Lagos, Nigeria3
- Abuja, Nigeria2
- Accra, Ghana2
- Enugu State, Nigeria2
- Kaduna, Nigeria2
- London, United Kingdom2
Some of the artists
- Jason DeruloMiramar
- Yann TiersenBrest
- Donae’oUnited Kingdom
- IkonikaLondon
- KhanGermany
- StardustFrance
- OskidoBrits
- DJ MaphorisaPretoria
- FocalisticPretoria
- KNVL.Kenya
- R2BeesGhana
- B Major SACape Town
- Cornelius SASouth Africa
- Costa TitchMbombela
- Kabza De SmallMpumalanga
- MakhadziSouth Africa
- MsakiEast London
- Sun-El MusicianMooi River
- T SmileNigeria
- T.K. MathabelaJohannesburg
- BusiswaMthatha
- Cassper NyovestMafikeng
- DJ BuckzSouth Africa
- Dlala ThukzinSouth Africa
Questions & Answers
What is Amapiano?+
Amapiano is a South African dance genre built on deep bass, jazzy piano chords and the log drum — a percussive bass sound that gives the style its signature roll.
Where did Amapiano start?+
In the townships of Gauteng province, South Africa — around Johannesburg and Pretoria — in the early 2010s.
What does amapiano mean?+
It means “the pianos” in isiZulu, after the piano chords at the centre of the sound.
