Beatport Adds Amapiano Genre On Its Platform. Amapiano (isiZulu and isiXhosa for “the pianos”) is a style of house music that emerged in South Africa in 2012. It is a hybrid of deep house, jazz and lounge music characterized by synths, airy pads and wide percussive basslines. It is distinguished by high-pitched piano melodies, Kwaito basslines, low tempo 90s South African house rhythms and percussions from another local subgenre of house known as Bacardi.
To support this growing community of the genre, artists, labels and fans, Beatport will offer Amapiano its own space to flourish, as Amapiano tracks that were previously categorized as Afro House, Deep House and Dance/Electro Pop will now be clearly and properly labeled.
In just a few years, the South African-born genre has gone from local trend to global phenomenon, led by internationally recognized artists like DBN Gogo, Focalistic, and Major League DJz; and labels like Jozi Entertainment, Busta 929’s Thupa Industry, and Kabza De Small’s PianoHub.
Beatport’s addition will allow the platform to promote the sound through banners, playlists and more, in an effort, a press release notes, “to help fans discover the sound, translating into improved sales for artists and labels, and a better customer experience, as fans can find music that is truly representative of the Amapiano culture.”
