{"id":126052,"date":"2023-09-15T10:00:00","date_gmt":"2023-09-15T08:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pan-african-music.com\/?p=126052"},"modified":"2023-09-19T10:47:32","modified_gmt":"2023-09-19T08:47:32","slug":"the-best-amapiano-2023-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/pan-african-music.com\/en\/the-best-amapiano-2023-2\/","title":{"rendered":"The best amapiano of 2023 so far (2)"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"has-drop-cap\">It\u2019s been quite a fruitful few months for amapiano, with a lot more collaborative works making their way between South Africa and artists abroad. Major League DJs teamed up with musicians such as Kojey Radical and Makhanj for another volume of collaborative work supported by Nando\u2019s, while bookings for everyone from DBN GOGO to Vigro Deep continue to pile up even as the European summer tapers off. Artists at home are taking to the studio to cook up their next South African summer bangers, and there\u2019s ample anticipation for who will rival Tumelo and&nbsp; Tyler ICU\u2019s \u201cMnike\u201d for track of the year. All of this is great for the booming South African genre, even as new <a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/reel\/CwX7N81o4HR\/?igshid=MWZjMTM2ODFkZg==\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">questions<\/a> are being raised regarding the authenticity of some of amapiano\u2019s new homes. Who knows where to from here \u2013 but in the meantime, check out the last few month\u2019s standout tracks below from around the globe, with some paying homage to the past as well as a few that could possibly signal the genre\u2019s multifaceted future.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:200px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe title=\"Tyler ICU &amp; Tumelo.za - Mnike (Visualizer) ft. DJ Maphorisa, Nandipha808, Ceeka RSA &amp; Tyron Dee\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/g_hgm2Mf6Ag?feature=oembed&#038;autoplay=1\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:30px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h5 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Tyler ICU ft. DJ Maphorisa, Nandipha808, Ceeka RSA &amp; Tyron Dee &#8211; Mnike<\/h5>\n\n\n\n<p>One of the biggest releases of the year so far, \u201cMnike\u201d has dominated to become one of the most recognisable tracks for anyone looking to enjoy a truly communal experience on the dancefloor. This is hardly surprising, as Tyler has been co-producing some of amapiano\u2019s greatest contributions for the past few years, alongside folks such as DJ Maphorisa, ShaSha, Cassper Nyovest and the late Riky Rick to name just a few. Still dominating in the charts since its official release in April, it looks like this one will be tough to challenge for track of the year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:100px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe title=\"uLazi -  Yey feat. Infinity MusiQ | Official Music Video | Dance Video\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/xOK7fhbUveA?feature=oembed&#038;autoplay=1\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:30px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h5 class=\"wp-block-heading\">uLazi ft Infinity MusiQ &#8211; Yey<\/h5>\n\n\n\n<p>Another track dominating in amapiano\u2019s epicentre as well as all over the internet is Ulazi\u2019s \u201cYey,\u201d which soundtracked one of the most viral (and tricky-to-execute) <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=xcd8gjXzQ0o\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">dance challenges<\/a> on TikTok yet. While there\u2019s not too much about him online, it\u2019s clear that this infectious tune struck a chord with amapiano lovers across the world who prefer to get up and try their hands (and feet?) at another nimble number.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:100px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe title=\"The Ascension &#039;Khulula&#039; (Official Music Video)\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/2laJ_XIB4dM?feature=oembed&#038;autoplay=1\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:30px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h5 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The Ascension, Baby S.O.N., Charisse C, Koek Sista, Makhanj, Reed, Sfarzo Rtee &#8211; Khulula<\/h5>\n\n\n\n<p>The UK has embraced amapiano wholeheartedly, and many artists who see the genre as a way to reconnect with their roots on the continent have been trying their hand at their own iterations of \u201cama.\u201d Charisse C and Koeksista, or rather the duo known as The Ascension, released their first official offering in \u201cKhulula\u201d alongside resident South Africans Makhanj, Baby S.O.N and Sfarzo Rtee in April, and look to connect with more of South Africa\u2019s best for a truly exciting and authentic-sounding cross-continental connection.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:100px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe title=\"DJ Kwamzy - The Law of Attraction (Official Audio)\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/9avYudnQVZU?feature=oembed&#038;autoplay=1\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:30px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h5 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Dj Kwamzy &#8211; The Law of Attraction<\/h5>\n\n\n\n<p>Speaking of the UK, London-based DJ Kwamzy \u2013 born Kwadwo Badu and raised in Ghana \u2013 has made a name for himself crafting well-balanced amapiano sets as a DJ, as in his <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=KMGcaJ8nVfM\" target=\"_blank\">Boiler Room Amaproblem <\/a>Toronto and <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=suA6ndEw2XM\" target=\"_blank\">this journey through the genre at Rinse FM<\/a>. He\u2019s been hard at work listening and learning for a few years now, making his mark abroad with <em>Amapiano To The World<\/em> Volumes 1 and 2, and now offers \u201cThe Law of Attraction\u201d which sits well alongside many South African-made sgija records.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:100px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-4-3 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe title=\"Ka Valungu\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/LLn14qJA9gc?feature=oembed&#038;autoplay=1\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:30px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h5 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Tebza de DJ, Nomza the King &#8211; Ka Valungu<\/h5>\n\n\n\n<p>Created by Tsonga \u201cking of Shangaan Disco\u201d Peta Teanet, \u201cKa Valungu\u201d was originally a struggle song with a rather dark undertone. With the lyrics roughly translating to \u201ckill a cat to eat on the train because there are no chickens in white people\u2019s land,\u201d Tebza\u2019s amapiano remake of this track had folks jamming across social media in gleeful confusion. It should go without saying that no cats were harmed in the making of this track, but migrant workers did find it difficult to find something good to eat while traveling to the white neighborhoods back during Apartheid\u2019s height, and a little humor and music can go a long way to ease an empty stomach.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:100px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-4-3 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe title=\"Uncle Waffles - Peacock Revisit ft. Ice Beats Slide &amp; Sbuda Maleather (Official Video)\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/KtxoEXmXQJQ?feature=oembed&#038;autoplay=1\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:30px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h5 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Uncle Waffles feat. Ice Beats Slide, Sbuda Maleather &#8211; Peacock Revisit<\/h5>\n\n\n\n<p>In another revamp for an old school classic, Swazi-born Uncle Waffles continues to forge ahead, this time sampling Venda 1980s band Splash\u2019s \u201cPeacock.\u201d It\u2019s an infectious yet brooding iteration that has quickly risen to become a club staple. It\u2019s been quite a rollercoaster for Waffles of late, as she continues to travel the globe with a string of North American tour dates, whilst releasing a pop-leaning album in <em>Solace<\/em> just a few months after her last EP release.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:100px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-4-3 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe title=\"Chocolati (Amapiano Remix)\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/LfnaRdmWGIQ?feature=oembed&#038;autoplay=1\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:30px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h5 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Azekel, Nao, Larizzle &#8211; Chocolati Remix<\/h5>\n\n\n\n<p>Nigerian-born and London-raised Azekel has always had a penchant for the smoothest, richest vocals, and he delivered an immaculate show of his prowess on&nbsp;the COLORS show, performing the original to this amapiano remix. \u201cChocolati\u201d features vocal powerhouse Nao alongside him as well as the dexterous workings of producer Larizzle who has carried his own bold contributions to the UK\u2019s amapiano experience for years now, both online on <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=QJZcxspAZ9k\" target=\"_blank\">BBC Radio 1Xtra\u2019s Amapiano to Afrohouse <\/a>as well as live, with what has become the UK\u2019s premier Amapiano party at <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/company\/sohohouse\/\" target=\"_blank\">Soho House &amp; Co<\/a>, which he\u2019s dubbed \u2018Piano House&#8217;.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:100px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe title=\"De Mthuda, Da Muziqal Chef, Eemoh - Sgudi Snyc ft. Sipho Magudulela\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/tgHDCz4U1JY?feature=oembed&#038;autoplay=1\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:30px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h5 class=\"wp-block-heading\">De Mthuda, Da Muziqal Chef, Eemoh feat. Sipho Magudulela &#8211; Sgudi Sync<\/h5>\n\n\n\n<p>One of amapiano\u2019s most respected producers (think \u201cShesha\u201d with Njelic, \u201cJohn Wick\u201d with Sir Trill and \u201cJola\u201d with Sino Msolo) returns with another heart-warming number alongside Da Muziqal Chef. In this feel-good track, Eemoh lends his voice to a play on the words \u201cit\u2019s good, it\u2019s nice,\u201d providing folks with an irresistibly nostalgic track that brings back memories of the 80s TV show of the same name starring the iconic Joe Mafela.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:100px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe title=\"Zeze Kingston x LeuMas (ft. Achina Gattah Ase, Dj Drew &amp; Richard Billy) - Mphaka (Visualiser)\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/t7wf_DGzPPo?feature=oembed&#038;autoplay=1\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:30px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h5 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Zeze Kingston, LeuMas feat. Achina Gattah, DJ Drew, Richard Billy &#8211; Mphaka<\/h5>\n\n\n\n<p>Malawi has been brimming with its own traditional music and jazz for some time, but over the past year has seen a spike in demand for amapiano, in large thanks to Chilobwe-hailing Zeze Kingston who has since become a household name in the region. His breakout track \u201cNdathela Pano\u201d caught the country\u2019s attention with its affirming, romantic lyrics and fun take on the genre, which he follows with \u201cMphaka\u201d featuring one of Malawi\u2019s biggest hip hop acts in Achina Gattah Ase. The track stems from the Malawian saying \u201cmphaka wachoka makoswe atase,\u201d meaning \u201cthe cat has left the house, so the rats will have a party.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:100px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe title=\"Major League DJz &amp; Kojey Radical &amp; Magicsticks - Bad For Business (Official Visualizer)\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/XBudrh4Sld8?feature=oembed&#038;autoplay=1\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:30px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h5 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Kojey Radical, Major League DJz, Magicsticks &#8211; Bad For Business<\/h5>\n\n\n\n<p>To round off this quarter\u2019s list, we end with British-Ghanaian wordsmith <a href=\"https:\/\/pan-african-music.com\/en\/kojey-radical-gives-reason-to-smile\/\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/pan-african-music.com\/en\/kojey-radical-gives-reason-to-smile\/\">Kojey Radical<\/a> teaming up with amapiano\u2019s busiest duo, Major League Djz, who have managed to provide the globe with standout platforms from which to experience amapiano\u2019s magnetism both online and live. As if those two acts were not powerful enough a coupling for you, they enlist the immaculate skill of nimble Naija producer Magicsticks \u2013 the producer behind Asake\u2019s most viral releases fusing fuji, afrobeats and amapiano \u2013 for a well-balanced collab.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>PAM rounds up the hottest amapiano releases of 2023 from across the continent as the South African genre continues to produce global hits and garner vast influence. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":103,"featured_media":126071,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[7833,9400],"tags":[34102,28129],"location":[7844],"yst_prominent_words":[8403,8996,8414,8402,8435,10641,8506,8501,30362,8543,8438,8449],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/pan-african-music.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/126052"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/pan-african-music.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/pan-african-music.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pan-african-music.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/103"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pan-african-music.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=126052"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/pan-african-music.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/126052\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pan-african-music.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/126071"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/pan-african-music.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=126052"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pan-african-music.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=126052"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pan-african-music.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=126052"},{"taxonomy":"location","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pan-african-music.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/location?post=126052"},{"taxonomy":"yst_prominent_words","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pan-african-music.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/yst_prominent_words?post=126052"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}