You can’t search for South African music today and not have several Amapiano artists appear in your results. The genre has surged across global dance floors thanks to collaborations, the growth of digital music streaming, and an era where viral dance challenges brought exciting snippets of its distinct sound to the world. But how did... Read more »
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The sound of Amapiano is like prolonging moments when, in South African townships, the sounds of everyday living merge with the music that forms the bedrock of daily life there. Before dawn, a hymn sung while sweeping might match the rhythm at a nearby lala vuka (all nighter). One afternoon, the rain overhead might intensify... Read more »
The post Amapiano’s Origins: Taking Root at Home, Then Spreading Seeds Globally appeared first on Spotify.

Amapiano is a force to be reckoned with on the global music stage, and this is thanks to its influence on popular culture. “Spotify provides a home for Amapiano to grow, with 55% of the music getting played from outside South Africa,” says Phiona Okumu, Head of Music at Spotify Sub-Saharan Africa.  The heroes of... Read more »
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Today Amapiano is everywhere. Some of the world’s biggest artists, including Beyoncé, have spoken about being Amapiano fans and have put out tracks featuring Amapiano artists. In 2023, Beyoncé even played Amapiano legend Uncle Waffles’ song “Tanzania” during her Renaissance world tour. The genre also got its first Grammy in 2024, with Tyla’s “Water” taking... Read more »
The post Piano to the World: Amapiano’s Evolution From Underground Movement to Global Sensation appeared first on Spotify.