<span style="display:block;position:relative;padding-top:56.25%;" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="05ac65a28f68da7cb4dc635f94d49b07"><iframe lazy-loadable="true" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/NUq34qhvD2U?rel=0" width="100%" height="auto" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" style="position:absolute;top:0;left:0;width:100%;height:100%;"></iframe></span>
Kaygee Daking x Bizizi 'Kokota Piano'
<span style="display:block;position:relative;padding-top:56.25%;" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="91a10bbfaf9771b6b5a0d16fecd457c7"><iframe lazy-loadable="true" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/HWdeODmjT88?rel=0" width="100%" height="auto" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" style="position:absolute;top:0;left:0;width:100%;height:100%;"></iframe></span><p>Amapiano does not play, <em>iyakokota (</em>it knocks<em>)</em>. The kick drum in most songs bumps with a breathtaking force. It's the drums and percussions that catch and hypnotize the listener first, as can be heard in this highlight from <strong>Kaygee Daking </strong>and <strong>Bizizi</strong>. "Kokota Piano" uses the insider slang to introduce amapiano to a bigger audience.</p>
Kabza De Small feat. Leehleza 'Umshove'
<span style="display:block;position:relative;padding-top:56.25%;" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="f089727d1f8b88154e064c3d5e19109d"><iframe lazy-loadable="true" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/hLkAfFtgusw?rel=0" width="100%" height="auto" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" style="position:absolute;top:0;left:0;width:100%;height:100%;"></iframe></span><p><em>"</em>Umshove" is one in a string of hits coming out of producer <strong>Kabza de Smal</strong>l and vocalist <strong>Leehleza</strong>'s collaborations. In his chorus, Leehleza references lyrics sung by<strong> Lebo Mathosa</strong> on the popular <strong>Boom Shaka</strong> song "<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X2y5GT3tvhc" target="_blank">Gcwala</a>," which was released during the golden era of kwaito in the '90s.</p>
De Mthuda 'Shesha Geza'
<span style="display:block;position:relative;padding-top:56.25%;" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="1b1bc6d7c4537da8a73e67d3aa4fe7da"><iframe lazy-loadable="true" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/-vyadK00eKc?rel=0" width="100%" height="auto" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" style="position:absolute;top:0;left:0;width:100%;height:100%;"></iframe></span><p>On "Shesha Geza," vocalist <strong>Njelic</strong> tries to convince his partner to get ready for a party quickly over a beat by <strong>De Mthuda</strong>. This combination of pining and hedonism have become dominant themes in the lyrics of the amapiano songs that have gained major underground and mainstream popularity.</p>
Zero12Finest feat. Thamagnificent2 'Baby are you Coming?'
<span style="display:block;position:relative;padding-top:56.25%;" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="5feaa391f448e2d71a116ac1c6ec39af"><iframe lazy-loadable="true" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/SldyCVP02VM?rel=0" width="100%" height="auto" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" style="position:absolute;top:0;left:0;width:100%;height:100%;"></iframe></span><p>Mamelodi, a township at the outskirts of South Africa's administrative capital city, Pretoria, has been instrumental in the direction of the amapiano movement. "Baby are you Coming?" uses Mamelodi slang and a double entendre over a beat that borrows from diBacardi, a genre of South African house music which also owes its popularity to townships surrounding Pretoria.</p>
DJ Sumbody 'Ngwana Daddy' feat. Kwesta, Thebe, Vettys & Vaal Nation
<span style="display:block;position:relative;padding-top:56.25%;" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="09c95b4d044546f3e81762094710e185"><iframe lazy-loadable="true" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/WpHt3pbaS2o?rel=0" width="100%" height="auto" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" style="position:absolute;top:0;left:0;width:100%;height:100%;"></iframe></span><p><strong>DJ Sumbody</strong> is an artist, promoter and record label owner showing Pretoria-based artists how to find commercial success with their heavily kwaito and diBacardi-influenced brand of amapiano. Featuring kwaito legend <strong>Thebe</strong> on "Ngwana Daddy" alongside big names like <strong>Kwesta</strong> is as much a business decision as it is a musical one.</p>
Semi Tee feat. Miano, Kammu Dee 'Labantwana Ama Uber'
<iframe src="https://open.spotify.com/embed/album/20RBJDIFwjliLJO88Pyjs6" width="300" height="380" frameborder="0" allowtransparency="true" allow="encrypted-media"></iframe><p>"Labantwana Ama Uber" has been at the centre of a debate about the influence amapiano lyrics have on young South Africans. Reheating and serving similar arguments previously used against hip-hop, metal and other genres, some argue that this song, which talks about young women ingesting substances through their noses, encourages drug. Fortunately, music history floors this argument.</p>
Jobe London & Mphow69 feat. Kamo Manje 'Sukendleleni'
<span style="display:block;position:relative;padding-top:56.25%;" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="53dce76742d196655b674be297f3ea3c"><iframe lazy-loadable="true" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/O3OTClCxDyk?rel=0" width="100%" height="auto" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" style="position:absolute;top:0;left:0;width:100%;height:100%;"></iframe></span><p>The shakers and percussion in the introduction to "Sukendleleni" are a masterful depiction of the rhythm and pace of South African townships and the music emanating from them. <strong>Jobe London, Mphow69</strong> and <strong>Kamo Manje</strong>'s timing od introducing new elements to the composition is nearly flawless, holding the groove until the last possible moment before a number of breaks. </p>
Samthing Soweto feat. Sha Sha, DJ Maphorisa & Kabza De Small 'Akulaleki'
<span style="display:block;position:relative;padding-top:56.25%;" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="2651e031693dbb4f67bda949c86b10d0"><iframe lazy-loadable="true" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/IlxDqJu6eUE?rel=0" width="100%" height="auto" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" style="position:absolute;top:0;left:0;width:100%;height:100%;"></iframe></span><p><strong>Kabza de Small</strong> and<strong> DJ Maphorisa</strong>'s <em>Scorpion Kings <strong></strong></em>is the opus of their amapiano collaborations. It was clear from the EP's first drop that they had hit a sweet spot between the genre's underground roots and a commercial music industry sensibility. "Akulaleki" is <strong>Samthing Soweto</strong>'s most successful amapiano foray, in which he croons over an instrumental that knocks but makes room for his vocal prowess.</p>
Mphow_69 & ThackzinDj feat/ Killer Kau 'Ama'International (Ufunani eSandton)'
<span style="display:block;position:relative;padding-top:56.25%;" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="0f0b3b721007dbd46fa402b21e1512cc"><iframe lazy-loadable="true" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/uqENlME3RE4?rel=0" width="100%" height="auto" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" style="position:absolute;top:0;left:0;width:100%;height:100%;"></iframe></span><p>The word "amapiano" translated to English is "pianos." It merges an isiZulu plural article (ama) with an English noun (piano). Pronouncing the genre's name lays bare one's distance from or proximity to the townships where it was birthed and continues to thrive. "Ama'International (Ufunani eSandton)" talks about the futile aspiration to leave the township for more affluent suburbs like Johannesburg's Sandton. </p>
Zing Master feat. Plee & Jusca, Mabozza, Letuna 'Empa Nna'
<span style="display:block;position:relative;padding-top:56.25%;" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="83c1790e163b12dff8a5c32a22c8bbfd"><iframe lazy-loadable="true" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/r0ror7RdDsg?rel=0" width="100%" height="auto" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" style="position:absolute;top:0;left:0;width:100%;height:100%;"></iframe></span><p>The social context in which amapiano has flourished in South Africa, especially in its townships, is highlighted on "Empa Nna." Comparing themselves to other, more successful or gifted people, the vocalists lament their lot in life. The sound, which in many ways represents an escape for young South Africans, is drawn into tongue-in-cheek social commentary here from <strong>Zing Master, Plee & Jusca, Mabozza,</strong> and <strong>Letuna</strong>.</p>