Amapiano has taken over the sound of afrobeat over the last couple of years. Ever since lockdown, we would say; the vibrant genre has blazed through and made it through the mainstream sound, but some people don’t know much about it or where it comes from.

The name stems from the Zulu word for ‘the pianos’, but its music lineage is far more complex with heavy influence from the sounds of kwaito. Crazy to say but it’s original come up, was dismissed, and not taken seriously. South African township music Amapiano forged its way on the world stage during the lockdown;  London had a piano summer in 2021 with the globes first Amapiano festival taking palace in the capital.  2022 saw the music grow even further with artists playing to thousands of eager European fans. Fast forward to 2023 and the township groove is one of the most recognizable, subcultures of music in South Africa and in the world. London even had an Amapiano summer in 2021, being the first of its type around the globe and making history.

The Beat London scored a few firsts with the genre over the last few years.  The first FM station outside the African continent to both playlist the music and host a specialist show dedicated to the genre.  Now hosted by London’s own man about town Polo Soleri every Wednesday at 11 pm catch Ammaccentric a ‘showcase of all the various sounds that fall under the umbrella and global phenomenon that is Amapiano’.

SO! For 2023 we suggest you should watch out for 2023: Kabza De Small, Daliwonga, Samthing Soweta.. and more!

Written By Raiessa and Carrington

Edited By Douglas Jekan

And most importantly, Keep it ON THE BEAT!