Now That's Amapiano!

South African grooves

Music critics, journalists and even the streaming services are calling Drake’s new album, Honestly, Nevermind, a “dance” record.

Whatever, nevermind.

The only importance that a music “genre” label - as a defining term - matters to is the music industry. Fans don’t think genre. They think: this is good, this is for me. Or not.

(Digression: for further analysis of “genre” see the highly recommended Major Labels: A History of Popular Music In Seven Genres by Kelefa Sanneh)

While some music journalists - and fans - seem to lament that Drizzy only raps on a couple tunes on the new album, it’s more important to note that at the heart of HN lies the beats and the grooves of a “genre” of music called Amapiano that’s only just starting to reach mainstream pop/dance/honestly-whatever audiences here in the U.S.

While Drake and other Western musicians have flirted with Amapiano, the “genre” has been around for over a decade.

But I predict a surge. And Drizzy’s excellent new album is a good example of that.

In the same way that Latin music has significantly influenced hip-hop, and other forms of music, expect the rise of Amapiano, (and quite possibly the related dance music Gqom) thanks to some immensely talented South African musicians, DJ’s, producers, and singers.

Which takes us to Grammy Award winning South African DJ, producer and songwriter Nkosinathi Maphumulo, best known as Black Coffee, who co-Executive Produced, and co-wrote a number of songs on Drake’s new album. (Also on the album is Black Coffee’s son Esona Tyoro, and singer and producer Tresor).

Drake and BC first worked together on Drake’s 2017 album, More Life, on the song “Get It Together” featuring Jorja Smith, that’s based on an interpolation of Black Coffee’s classic “Superman.”

And on Drake’s new album, the hypnotic and often melodic beats of Amapiano are more present than ever before.

So, in case you don’t know, what is Amapiano? Let’s just say….

That’s Amapiano

Dig in to discover more about this “genre” of South African music. Here’s a playlist; I suggest you listen with the volume up and whatever dance floor you can find.

Related:

Black Coffee - the South African DJ who made history at the Grammys

BBC Global Beats: Gqom Music from Durban South Africa

From Amapiano to AfroHouse: BBC Sounds 13 part series