The Best Amapiano Songs Right Now

April has been the most dramatic and action-packed month in amapiano this year. It all started when the artist PCee ("Gabriela," "ZoTata," "Ngibolekeni") expressed his disaffection with the state of the industry, even going so far as to say that he is thinking of leaving the genre altogether. "I wanna do genres like Asake's, and see how it goes from there," he said.

In the 23-minute Instagram Live shared across social media platforms, the artist also announces that there's a big song he hasn't been paid for yet. "I've never even gotten a cent from it. Instead, [this person] must be the only big one in South Africa. Why should we hear about [this person]? Why can't I make my own hit songs?" he asked, in what some have assumed is a veiled attack on Uncle Waffles.

Not one to be caught off-guard, Uncle Waffles called Pcee to set the record straight. In a clip shared by her manager, Uncle Waffles can be heard asking the artist what his outburst "seems like to everybody." She wondered where Pcee got the idea that she was gatekeeping the industry. "How? When I've done nothing but be supportive of you?" she asked. In his defense, Pcee denied referring to Uncle Waffles on the same call.

While doing the media run for his new album, 5ive,Davido stopped by The Breakfast Club to chop it up about his music. During the interview, he clarified that amapiano is a South African export, dispelling any claims to the contrary. "South Africans, since time, have always had great, dope music. Funny enough, early in my career, I've been collaborating with South Africans," Davido mentioned, referring to work he has put in with DJ Maphorisa and Musa Keys. "Amapiano is definitely their sound. They don't gatekeep it either. Every time I do a song that's amapiano, it's either I involve one of their producers or one of their artists."

Kelvin Momo has been announced as the headliner for this year's Redbull Symphonic, following Kabza De Small's heroic showing last year with an orchestra conducted byOfentse Pitse. The event organizers were forced to add a third date after the first two sold out within minutes. The third date quickly sold out as well.

Kabza De Small has announced his album, Bab'Motha, scheduled for a June release, while De Mthuda's album will be released at midnight. Other announced works include those by Young Stunna, Cowboii, and Yumbs. This month, DJ Maphorisa and Xduppy continue to make noise, Shakes & Les finally released their banger featuring Scotts Maphuma, and Skyla Tylaa.

Read ahead for The Best Amapiano Songs Right Now.

Shakes & Les, Fake'Well, Scotts Maphuma, Uncool M.C. - "Hamba Nabo"

Shakes & Les have established themselves as trustworthy purveyors of amapiano, blending instrumental-heavy cuts like "Funk 66" with vocal-oriented tracks like the LeeMcKrazy-featuring "Funk 99." They continue the tradition with "Hamba Nabo," which gained traction on social media before its ultimate release earlier this month. The production is sleek, with deep basslines that disorient and embrace at once.

DJ Maphorisa, Xduppy & Enny Man Da Guitar - "Dlala Ka Yona" (feat. Focalistic, Ricky Lenyora, Uncool MC

In a yet-to-be-published interview with OkayAfrica, Xduppy shares how his 2023 hit "Bhebha" got him noticed by DJ Maphorisa, who then approached him. They kept working on songs until they had enough for a double album. That is how "Ngomoya" and "Rough Dance" came about. "Dlala Ka Yona" is one song that reminds you of just how dope Focalistic can be when he locks in. He rides the Bacardi-flavoured beat with abandon and leaves nothing on the floor. Ricky Lenyora and Uncool MC take this banger over the edge.

DJ Maphorisa, Xduppy, and Seun1401 - "Ke System" feat. Mellow & Sleazy and Kabelo Sings

From the onset, "Ke System" makes it known that it's about to be a jump wherever it gets played. The bass-heavy concoction, featuring contributions from Mellow & Sleazy, Kabelo Sings, and Seun1401, is just a slice of what DJ Maphorisa and Xduppy have cooked up on their sprawling double album, which is part amapiano, part sgubhu, and a whole lot of funk.

Mellow & Sleazy, Tman Xpress, CowBoii - "Ibhanoyi" (feat. LastBornDiroba, The Buu)

"Ibhanoyi" starts as classical, instrumental Amapiano, drawing inspiration from the late Duke Soul, whose deep house music mixes raised an entire generation of music lovers and appreciators. In the hands of Mellow & Sleazy and Tman Xpress, the tune twists and bends until it finds its form; that is when CowBoii, LastBornDiroba, and The Buu go for the kill.

Skyla Tylaa - "Bombshell (Cheza) (feat. Diamond Platnumz, Tyler ICU, Khalil Harrison & DJ Exit)

Amapiano meets Afropop in "Bombshell (Cheza)," a high-voltage collaboration fromSkyla Tylaa,Diamond Platnumz,Tyler ICU, Khalil Harrison, and DJ Exit. Blending the sounds of South Africa, Tanzania, and the UK, this genre-bending anthem has already begun making waves, with unreleased teasers racking thousands of videos and millions of views on TikTok alone. The London-born Skyla Tylaa marks her first official foray into production with a track that lives up to its name. "Bombshell (Cheza)" takes the stabby synths and rumbling basslines reminiscent of gqom, flips and filters them through an explosive, club-ready amapiano template, and laces them with Diamond Platnumz's commanding vocals alongside regular Tyler ICU collaborator Khalil Harrison.

DJ Kasi Duchaz - “Indiza” (feat. Mmata Magic, Sika and Coachie Vee)

Anita Ronge is DJ Kasi Duchaz, a KwaZulu-Natal-born DJ who discovered her passion for music in 2012. "Indiza" is bold, daring, and colorful, a reminder of the importance of underground acts to the advancement of Amapiano. Mmata Magic, Sika, and Coachie Vee take turns unleashing exotic kasi flows on this smooth banger.

Soul Jam, Massive95K, Dbn Gogo - "Ghana Ghana" (feat. MJ, PiLato, Ego, Mfana Mdu)

Beyond dance music, amapiano is a keeper of memory. On "Ghana Ghana," the artists adopt a cadence reminiscent of Oskido's "Tsa Mandebele," which features Candy. This one will force people to leave whatever they're doing, flood the dancefloor, and request multiple rewinds. The alchemy of all of these artists on one song, from DBN Gogo to Soul Jam, Massive95K to Ego Slimflow, results in an exceptional jam that won't leave your mind.