In a candid interview with BBC News Africa, South African music producer and DJ Maphorisa revealed that Nigerian superstar Wizkid played a significant role in his journey into the Amapiano genre.
Reflecting on his evolution as an artist, DJ Maphorisa credited his experience at Kalawa Jazmee, a record label where he honed his craft in Afrobeats and Afrohouse, for shaping his understanding of music. However, it was Wizkid’s curiosity and enthusiasm that sparked his interest in Amapiano, a genre that was still largely underground at the time.
Sharing the moment that changed his trajectory, Maphorisa said, “How I got influenced about Amapiano, I was with Wizkid. When he comes to South Africa, we always hang out, do studio sessions, and everything. One time, we were in Pretoria, my city, and after I played my set, another DJ took over and started playing Amapiano. Wizkid was like, ‘Yo bro, what’s this?’ And I was like, ‘I don’t know, but I’ll do some research.’ Seeing him vibe to it gave me goosebumps.”
He explained how Wizkid’s reaction made him realize there was something special about Amapiano. Inspired, DJ Maphorisa started delving deeper into the genre, researching its beats and experimenting with its sound. “It was like, if Wizkid really vibes with this sound, there’s something here,” he added.
At the time, Maphorisa had just ventured into starting his own label, which gave him the creative freedom to explore Amapiano. Partnering with Kabza De Small, another pivotal figure in the genre, they helped transform Amapiano from a niche sound into a global phenomenon.
Today, DJ Maphorisa is recognized as one of the genre’s trailblazers, working with a range of artists and taking Amapiano to international stages.
So he’s the one who really put me on with the sound, and I started researching and doing my homework and trying to get beats and stuff, and that’s how I entered Amapiano.” Maphorisa concluded.
Wizkid’s initial curiosity and excitement about Amapiano not only validated the genre’s potential but also motivated DJ Maphorisa to explore and champion it. Today, Phori stands as one of the leading figures in Amapiano, proving that inspiration can come from the most unexpected moments.
With this journey, DJ Maphorisa continues to shape and redefine South African music, creating a legacy that resonates far beyond his home country.
DJ Maphorisa is one of South Africa's biggest players in the Amapiano scene, as a producer, DJ, musician and label owner.
Here he breaks down to DJ Edu which Afrobeats star got him into the then underground scene and how's he helped make the music go global. pic.twitter.com/tOdaIuTzPK
— BBC News Africa (@BBCAfrica) January 12, 2025
