The Best Amapiano Songs Right Now

The drama of April has spilled into May. Radio jock and hip-hop stalwart DJ Speedsta has come out swinging against amapiano. "I think people are tired of 'piano," he said on the BasickBoyz podcast. "I say this with the utmost respect to what they're doing and how they move … Everywhere else you go, you hear piano."

His comments follow rapper Nadia Nakai's take on the star quality of amapiano artists. "The only person I feel gives that [superstar appeal] right now is Focalistic. When it was [the hip-hop guys], you'd feel that they're in the club today," she said.

The internet wasn't impressed with either comment. Thakgi, host of the Piano Pulse podcast, fired back, calling them out for clinging to relevance. "You guys had the country in a chokehold with hip-hop. Why is it so difficult to let others have their shine?" he posted on Instagram.

Meanwhile, amapiano's global momentum remains untouched. Uncle Waffles broke the internet with promotional images for her upcoming Canadian tour, channeling the legendary Melyssa Ford in a bold, throwback-inspired look. She also released a high-production value promo video featuring all the places she’s been to in recent times, a stacked list that includes stops at Coachella, Addis Ababa, Ibiza, Paris, and more. Alongside her Canadian dates in Ontario and Vancouver, she’ll be making stops in Hamburg, headline shows in London and Birmingham, as well as appearances in Portugal (for Afro Nation) and Croatia, among others.

The genre continues its sonic expansion. Kelvin Momo has released his new album, Thato Ya Modimo, today, while Daliwonga and Mas Musiq dropped their joint projectBas'tholile earlier in May. It adds to a growing list of collaborations, such as Maphorisa and Xduppy, or Tyler ICU and Khalil Harrison's earlier release.

Sfarzo Rtee'sSechaba is receiving critical praise, and De Mthuda'sMthuthuzeli has clawed its way back onto dancefloors and charts since its release in late April.

Read ahead for the best amapiano songs right now.

Sfarzo Rtee, Jazzworx and Thuthukhela - “Asiyeni” feat. DBN Gogo

Current 3-step darlings, Jazzworx, team up with Sfarzo Rtee for a wild, soulful ride through the lush landscapes of amapiano. Thuthukela's voice doesn't just float; it heals, gliding effortlessly over a four-on-the-floor groove that's both dazzling and deeply soothing. This sonic spectacle is a balm for the spirit and fuel for the dance floor.

De Mthuda - “Gijima” feat. Zawadi Yamungu and Sipho Magudulela

Zawadi Yamungu draws from a vocal tradition as ancient as time. In her voice lives the spirit of generational women like Princess Magogo and modern-day sonic visionaries like Busi Mhlongo. With a deep understanding of the lineage that shapes her sound, she pours that ancestral knowledge into De Mthuda's instrumentation, transforming an amapiano track into a spiritual chant, a ritual, and a love letter to Black people. "Gijima" is about movement, not just of bodies, but also of memory and resilience.

Mas Musiq, Daliwonga & DJ Maphorisa - “As’galavante”

Mas Musiq is no stranger to amapiano. While the hard lockdown was driving us crazy, he emerged from the chaos with Auti' eSharp, a bona fide classic featuring the likes of Young Stunna and longtime collaborator Aymos. Now, linking up with Daliwonga – hitmaker behind anthems like "AboMvelo" and "Gangnam Style" – Mas Musiq taps into a frequency that resonates deep in the bones. The music and mood are hypnotic, emotive, and unmistakably homegrown. Together, they craft music that feels both intimate and immense, a soundtrack for late-night cruises and early-morning reflections alike.

Tyler ICU & Visca - “Awungeke” feat. 2woshort, LeeMcKrazy, Mr Nation Thingz, VeeRSA, Cuba Beats, Tyrone Dee, Buddy Kay

Tyler ICU's work ethic is relentless. Hot on the heels of his collaborative run with Khalil Harrison earlier this year, he returns, this time linking up with Visca, to explore deeper sonic shades of amapiano. The result is a well-crafted slice of electronic music, rich in texture and graced by top-tier vocalists like LeeMcKrazy. "Awungeke" is a statement of refusal: to conform, to play it safe, to follow the rules. It's rebellious, infectious, and impossible to ignore. The party pulls up right to your doorstep, and resistance is futile.

JL SA, Msongi - “Abazali” feat. Kaymor

"Abazali" is melodic and jazzy, gentle, unhurried, and perfect for life's quieter moments. "Ngiyakhumbula ekhaya, abazali bam bang'shiya ngisase mncane" ("I remember my parents leaving home while I was still very young"), the lyrics recall a distant memory, tenderly held. But this isn't a sad song. It's a celebration of the sacrifices our parents made so we could live freely, love boldly, and pursue our dreams. It's gratitude in motion, set to a soulful groove.

Kelvin Momo & Da Muziqal Chef - “Emhlabeni” (feat. Thatohatsi & Tracy)

With a three-day orchestral spectacle to prepare for, a pending case from an Australian promoter following a no-show, and the loss of frequent collaborator Yallunder in March, Kelvin Momo is a man in a state of flux. On his latest album, he expands upon the “private school amapiano” template, sprinkling shades of house music, and sets out to deliver another groundbreaking effort that spans 29 magnetic tracks.

Mema Percent & Mr JazziQ - “Manje Clean” (feat. Officxl RSA and Lintonto)

“Manje Clean” is Sgija in its purest form – stripped-down, percussive, and impossibly smooth. It rides the line between laid-back groove and dancefloor urgency, showing just how much can be said with so little. The lyrics draw from kwaito’s gritty storytelling (with a nod to Mandoza) and the rhythms of everyday life. This is township cool reimagined: understated yet confident, nostalgic yet forward-pushing.