Now That's Amapiano! 2023

If you thought 2023 was a big year for amapiano, just you wait...

Davido (left) and Musa Keys (right)

About a year ago, in the Winter of ‘22, a friend of mine turned me on to a South African producer and musician named Musa Keys. Keys is at the forefront of the Amapiano music genre, pushing the transcendent, electronic groove laden music forward. Since then, I’ve been listening carefully, paying close attention to the new afrobeats.

Keys’ entry into amapiano came in 2019. He had a break out song in 2021, “Vula Mlomo,” from his 2021 album, TAYO (highly recommended). As his global star continues to rise, this year he’s nominated for a song he’s featured on with Davido, an African music star whose musical influence is growing significantly. The song, “Unavailable,” is from Davido’s Timeless, released this year. While primarily a collection of amapiano, it also draws on elements of classic afrobeat and afropop, and dancehall. In addition to Keys, Davido collaborates with a who’s who of Nigerian musicians and producers including Magicsticks, Asake, The Cavemen, Angelique Kidjo, and others.

“Unavailable” by Davido, featuring Musa Keys, is one of five songs nominated in a newly created Grammy category for Best African Music Performance. Also nominated are “Rush” by Ayra Starr, “Amapiano,” by ASAKE & Olamide, “Water” by Tyla, and “City Boys” by Burna Boy. While Burna Boy is likely to walk away with the award due to his popularity, I wouldn’t be surprised if Tyla grabbed this one; she was the first South African whose song hit the Billboard 100 charts in 55 years, (the last one was “Grazing In The Grass” by Hugh Masekela), a data point that some Grammy voting dingdongs won’t overlook.

Ok.

My point: Amapiano is a lot more popular than ever before, seeping into the mainstream just this past year. Major labels are are on the data hunt to sign it, thanks in part to the genre’s growing impact on TikTok, and there’s some incredible independent sounds coming out South Africa, hitting the dance floors.

Amapiano is deliciously seductive and rhythmic and nuanced. Fela would be proud.

Here’s a playlist of some of the best I’ve heard this year.