Amapiano Artists And Their Lifestyles In 2021. Amapiano as a genre is a very unique and different sound and what makes it so explosive is that it’s a mixture of different genres, like deep house and Kwaito coming together. It is the new-age Kwaito. No doubt Amapiano is making all sorts of waves not only in Mzansi but the world at large. In the mix of things, some celebrities have gained some fame. We can all agree that the genre has the plug and its vibe is just something else.
Check out these 10 Leading Amapiano Artists according to Forbes Africa:
Major League DJz
At the tender age of five, twins Bandile and Banele Mbere (above), who were born in Boston in the United States, moved to South Africa. When they were 16, they threw the ‘Robot Party’ which ended up changing their lives. Professionally, the duo started off as promoters, having hosted some of the country’s biggest parties. “So when we started DJing, we started at our own parties when artists or DJs wouldn’t make it to their sets on time,” Mbere tells FORBES AFRICA, from the United Kingdom where the duo is currently performing.
Scorpion Kings (DJ Maphorisa & Kabza De Small)
DJ Maphorisa born-Themba Sekowe is a South African record producer, DJ and vocalist. He rose to stardom after producing several hit singles for artists of multiple music genres such as Uhuru(“Y-Yjukuta”). Kabza De Small (Kabelo Motha) made headlines when he became one of the first Amapiano artists to make the FORBES AFRICA 30 Under 30 class in 2021.
Lady Du
Hailing from the vibrant township of Vosloorus, East of Johannesburg, Duduzile Ngwenya, also known as Lady Du, has actually not been on the Amapiano scene for long but is already dominating the genre.“I had tried every other genre. If you go on Google and search my songs, I’ve done gospel, I’ve done house, I’ve done RnB, I’ve done hip hop,” she said.
Musa Keys
Amapiano star Musa Keys has been on fire releasing hit after hit to cement his career in showbiz. “I’m different. Like my sound is different. The sound in my music is different. I personally sound different. Crazy. Not a lot of people know that I sometimes sing on my own music,” he said.
Soa Mattrix
Mandla Mashakeni, or Soa Mattrix, is a two-time double Platinum status producer known for his hit 2020 song Uthando.
Mr JazziQ
JazziQ (Tumelo Manyoni) comes from one of the biggest townships in South Africa, Alexandra, north of Johannesburg.“Despite the environment and our living circumstances at home, I felt it was a great educational experience. Funny enough, I would say I was quite naughty, I experimented a lot, I was quite curious from a young age. I think that’s what has led me to always being up to something and challenging myself,” he said.
Vigro Deep
Kamogelo Phetla, or Vigro Deep, was born and raised in a township located to the west of Pretoria named Atteridgeville. Before jumping into the world of music, the 20-year-old was a dancer.
Focalistic
Focalistic whose real name is Lethabo Sebetso hails from Pretoria. Focalistic is a rapper and former footballer. The raper refers to himself as Pitori Maradona. He was formerly a footballer before he started developing an interest in rapping. Sebetso’s breakout song may have been Ke Star but according to the artist, from his repertoire, the extended play (EP) that defined his career was the one he did with Major League DJz called Ase Trap Tse ke Pina Tsa Ko Kasi (It’s Not Trap It’s Music From the Hood)
DBN Gogo
DBN Gogo, real name Mandisa Radebe, is one of South Africa’s current leading DJs. She found acclaim through the advent of the amapiano sound, making her one of the top DJs in South Africa.
MFR Souls
Tumelo ‘Maero’ Nedondwe and Tumelo ‘Force’ Mabe come from the large township of Katlehong in the East Rand, south of Germiston in Johannesburg. The duo caught South Africa’s attention with their hit single with DJ Maphorisa, Love You Tonight, which came out last year.
