The Influence of Amapiano on Entertainment

Origin Of Amapiano

There is ambiguity and debate concerning its origins, with various accounts of the musical styles in the Johannesburg townships. Because it has a small similarities with Bacardi, some people assert the genre began in Pretoria but it remains uncertain. Various accounts as to who formed the popular genre make it impossible to accurately pinpoint its origins.

The word amapiano is a IsiZulu or IsiXhosa, or dipiano is a word loosely translated to “the pianos”, The genre is mostly sang in Zulu and Xhosa, Sotho, Setswana, Xitsonga, one of South Africa’s native tongues.

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Description

Amapiano is a subgenre of house and kwaito music. It is a hybrid of deep house, jazz, and lounge music characterised by synths and wide percussive basslines.

Amapiano is distinguished by high-pitched piano melodies, kwaito from South Africa basslines, low tempo 1990s South African house rhythms and percussions from another local subgenre of house known as tribal house.

An important element of the genre is the prevalent use of the “log drum”, a wide percussive bassline, which was popularised by producer MDU aka TRP. According to amapiano pioneer Kabza De Small:

I don’t know what happened. I don’t know how he figured out the log drum. Amapiano music has always been there, but he’s 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.

The use of percussive basslines in South African house music predates amapiano, and was possibly pioneered by kwaito producer M’Du (also known as Mdu Masilela.) 

Amapiano had already made a significant impact on the entertainment scene, particularly in the music and dance culture.

1. Musical Landscape:

• Emergence of a New Genre: Amapiano originated in South Africa and quickly gained popularity both within the country and internationally. It represents a fusion of various musical styles, including house, jazz, and traditional South African sounds.
• Global Reach: Amapiano has transcended geographical boundaries, with artists collaborating across borders and non-South African audiences embracing the genre.

2. Dance Culture:

• Viral Dance Challenges: Amapiano is often associated with unique dance moves and challenges. Social media platforms, especially TikTok, played a significant role in the viral spread of Amapiano dance trends, connecting people globally.
• Influence on Music Videos: Amapiano’s dance culture has influenced the choreography of music videos, contributing to visually engaging and dynamic content.

3. Entertainment Events:

• Concerts and Festivals: Amapiano has become a staple at music festivals and concerts, drawing diverse crowds. Events centered around the genre contribute to the vibrant entertainment scene in South Africa and beyond.
• Nightlife: Amapiano tracks are often featured in club playlists, influencing the nightlife scene and creating a party atmosphere.