Top 5 Amapiano Producers Right Now. Amapiano has become a world-conquering genre since emerging in South Africa over a decade ago, with the sound mutating in recent years to solidify its place as an embedded dance music culture.
Check out these hot amapiano producers right now:
Soa Mattrix
With a background in Afro house, which he learnt under the guidance of his father, Mandla “Soa Mattrix” Mashakeni has gained popularity with his creative approach to amapiano — filled with euphoric chord progressions and dynamic house-leaning breakdowns — ever since his debut amapiano EP in 2020, ‘For Your Soul’. Soa has also enlisted up-and-coming voices such as Mashudu and Nkosazana Daughter; musically, he’s getting better, brighter and bolder.
DBN Gogo
One of the few women leading the new wave of amapiano production, Mandisa “DBN GOGO” Radebe has been producing solo music since 2017, as well as co-producing Lady Du, Unlimited Soul, Focalistic, Mas Musiq and Felo Le Tee. With her vocals and production on the anthemic ‘French Kiss’, from her ‘Thokoza Cafe’ album, she’s given amapiano fans in Francophone countries a track they can claim — and 2021 would not be the same without her viral Dakiwe challenge.
DJ Stokie
Stokie, born Setoki Mbatha, got his big break in 2006 when he made a name for himself as a finalist on the Mad Half Hour, a feature on Joburg-based youth station YFM. Now he regularly shares the stage with some of SA’s finest DJs.
Abidoza
The man behind the multi-million streaming ‘Siyathandana’, voiced by Boohle and Cassper Nyovest — along with the Major League DJz co-produced albums ‘Pianochella’ and ‘What’s The Levol’ — Abidoza is one of the most in-demand producers in amapiano. This year, Abidoza is set to release a full-length album, featuring artists from Nigeria and France. He says he feels they can communicate the sort of message that can change people’s perspectives about life, while creating music that will be the next step in the evolution of amapiano.
Mellow and Sleazy
Making a huge impact with Young Stunna’s ‘Bopha’, and Focalistic’s ‘16 Days No Sleep’, along with ‘Trust Fund’ before that — which is yet to be released officially — the innovative Mellow & Sleazy are testing the limits of South Africa’s unique dance cultures. Enlisting the skill of Spitori rapper Ch’cco — whose namesake was an ’80s kwaito star called Chicco, who had a hit called ‘Need Some Money’ — this divisive number has started an interesting debate among amapiano and Bacardi fans (some have described the track as “a bastardisation of Bacardi”).
