This year we celebrated a decade of Amapiano music. Thanks to its infectious beats and vibrant culture, the Amapiano movement has captured the ears and feet of fans worldwide.
2024 will be remembered as the year fans took Amapiano to new heights. Not only did they want to hear their favourite songs – they wanted to curate and share the unique Amapiano anthems that became the soundtrack to their year. This interest comes across in Spotify data which shows that more than 20 million fan-made Amapiano playlists have been created.
Gen-Z is now at the forefront of the genre’s growth as they streamed more than 2 billion hours of Amapiano music – 50% more than last year. These fans took to artists like LeeMcKrazy, Mellow & Sleazy, Tito and Yuppe and Zee Nxumalo this year, representing a fresh generation of talented musicians that resonate with younger listeners.
A genre of genres
Inspired by Deep House, DiBacardi and Kwaito music, Amapiano’s smooth vocals and irresistible log drums have allowed it to go global from its South African roots. Countries like Nigeria, the United States of America, the United Kingdom, Germany and France now stream the most Amapiano music outside of South Africa, with over 2 billion collective plays among them.
As Amapiano travels the world, artists and DJs have picked it up and mixed it with local sounds to create new subgenres. Nigeria’s embrace of Amapiano is showcased in the emerging Afropiano sound. This blend of Afrobeats and Amapiano is marked by hits like “Happiness” by Sarz, or Asake’s “Amapiano”.
The South African-born beats have also reached dancefloors in places like Tanzania, where fans of dancer and musician Diamond Platnumz know all about the growing Bongopiano genre.
Spinning pop music vocals onto Amapiano beats has been a formula for success in 2024 – shown through the enormous impact Tyla has had on the genre’s global trajectory. Her Amapiano-pop fusion raised Amapiano’s visibility while making her the most-playlisted artist in the genre.
Beyond the beats and lyrics that make Amapiano a global sensation; dance has played a massive role too.
Viral dance challenges have been instrumental in taking Amapiano to the world. Women like Kamo Mphela and Uncle Waffles and their fans have built the bustling dance culture that makes the genre so irresistible. Their viral moments helped hits like “Wadibusa” and “Dalie”, on their way to being the most playlisted songs of the genre. Similar challenges amplified bangers like “Tshwala Bam” and “Mnike”, which could be heard across global dance floors in 2024.
More than music
Amapiano isn’t just another genre – it is a cultural force that now transcends borders and showcases South African creativity, flair and spirit to the world.
The next time you press play on an Amapiano track, you’re not just listening – you’re part of a global movement that bridges continents and reminds us all that every beat has the power to unite and inspire.
Dive deeper into Spotify’s Amapiano insights here:
Countries that streamed the most Amapiano music in 2024:
| Rank | Countries |
| 1 | South Africa |
| 2 | Nigeria |
| 3 | USA |
| 4 | UK |
| 5 | Germany |
| 6 | France |
| 7 | Canada |
| 8 | Netherlands |
| 9 | Kenya |
| 10 | Australia |
Most streamed Amapiano songs in 2024:
| Rank | Artist and Song |
| 1 | Davido – UNAVAILABLE (feat. Musa Keys) |
| 2 | Burna Boy, S.N.E, TitoM, Yuppe – Tshwala Bam (Remix) |
| 3 | S.N.E, TitoM, Yuppe – Tshwala Bam |
| 4 | DJ Maphorisa, Kabza De Small, Mthunzi, Sizwe Alakine, Umthakathi Kush, Young Stunna – Imithandazo |
| 5 | Ceeka RSA, DJ Maphorisa, Nandipha808, Tumelo_za, Tyler ICU, Tyrone Dee – Mnike |
| 6 | OHP Sage, Pcee, Royal MusiQ, Uncle Waffles – Wadibusa |
| 7 | Baby S.O.N, Kamo Mphela, Khalil Harrison, Tyler ICU – Dalie |
| 8 | DJ Stokie, Eemoh – Masithokoze |
| 9 | LeeMcKrazy, Shakes & Les – Funk 99 |
| 10 | Ceeka RSA, Chley, DBN Gogo, Shakes & Les, Zee Nxumalo – Funk 55 |
Main Image: Spotify
The post Wrapped 2024: How Gen-Z amplified Amapiano this year appeared first on EntertainmentSA News South Africa.
Post a Comment