February began with a discussion that had been brewing for roughly nine months. At its centre was a familiar concern: the health of amapiano. A tweet from a user claiming the genre had fallen off quickly gained traction, setting off a series of heated defences. Other users responded by sharing music from artists they discover daily as proof that the scene remains vibrant.
The original claim came without sources — vibes and virality doing the heavy lifting, fanning the flames. UK-based Zimbabwean-South African deejay, Charisse C., contextualized this and similar assertions on her Substack: “They who speak in the language of dead genres are in the business of extracting from culture, pulling roots, and never planting seeds. They speak of barren land as if they are not the ones depleting it of its nutrients,” she wrote.
The “they,” of course, refers to the machine that powers the ascent of underground scenes and sounds. The constant hunt for something “new” feeds its desire to package culture and sell it to the masses. That’s how capitalism functions. The sooner listeners stop using the language of capital to stage faux critiques of a perfectly healthy scene — amapiano bangers are being released daily — the better.
Elsewhere, DBN Gogo announced a 24-hour show set for April, where she’ll be spinning non-stop. She told a publication that she wants to shatter “the idea that women don’t have the musical knowledge — or the courage and stamina — to do something like this.”
Shortly after, Kelvin Momo announced his own one-man concert, scheduled for the day following DBN Gogo’s planned show. Uncle Waffles also revealed that she will be supporting Kaytranada on his European tour. “Can’t wait to dance with y’all,” she tweeted, sharing a poster with stops in Amsterdam, Berlin, Warsaw, London, and more.
In sad and unending news, Stixx and Nvcho both lost their fathers within mere days of each other. The respected producers — whose Kings of Kwapi Vol. 1 album alongside Sam Deep helped carve out a lane of their own in 2025 — took to social media to share the news. The electronic music community rallied around them with condolences.
This month, we bring heaters from Al Xapo and Benzoo, JayJayy and Mordecai, Xduppy, and plenty more. Dig in.
Al Xapo, Benzoo, Optimist MusicZA - “Stance”
“Snokonoko” is still causing a scene across the continent, so Al Xapo and Benzoo releasing “Stance” so soon afterward tells us they have no intention of letting us rest. It’s an ongoing party, revolving around amapiano’s evolving sonic identity, tapping into past and present influences to imagine something irresistible. The song’s title nods to an amapiano sub-genre: Stance takes the best of sgija and private school piano, sets it on a solo mission into space, and watches as the spaceship bursts into flames, engulfing the entire horizon while the world dances along.
JayJayy, Mordecai – "Mngani Wami"
Producer-vocalist duo Jaydecai comprises JayJayy, hailing from Soweto, with her calming vocals, and Mordecai, a producer extraordinaire from Katlehong. Their sound is soulful amapiano, the type you play at a party to get people in their feelings, arms raised and faces contorted into all sorts of shapes, or at home on a Sunday while deep-cleaning your space. They said “range” and delivered to spec. "Mngani Wami" is about the warmth and understanding that friendship affords. The way Mordecai builds the song’s different sections, and the way JayJayy rides its shifting transients, is a lesson in restraint — knowing when to rein the music in and when to let it rip. The song is taken from JayJayy’s new album, Detour, featuring a revolving cast of heavy-hitters, from Shakes & Les and 031Choppa through to Djy Biza and Shaunmusiq.
RoyalMusiQ, Benzoo, Officixl RSA – "AmaRider"
Amapiano’s range allows for a song to be about nothing in particular and still hit. In fact, there’s an entire lane dedicated to music about grooving; about being outside and doing the most. "AmaRider" falls squarely into this camp: a party-starter for the ages. RoyalMusiQ’s credentials are certified; he’s blessed artists like Uncle Waffles with his unwavering gift for eliciting madness on the dancefloor. Alongside Officixl RSA, who has intentionally sculpted his own lane and embedded himself in an ever-shifting sonic fabric, and Benzoo, who brings a street sensibility that feels modern while rooted in past influences, they turn the song into a full-blown moment. Pause, reflect, take it in. This is the vibe.
Fisto El Musica, StoziimusiQ – "Memeza" (feat. Faith Strings & Zambezi)
Soulful amapiano, a descendant of deep house, continues to thrive because the ecosystem understands that one sound doesn’t need to fade for another to shine; they can co-exist and feed off each other.
"Memeza" is resplendent with detail: a guitar that sings as if reaching for something beyond the ordinary, piano chords that gently guide your ear toward the divine, and vocals, courtesy of StoziimusiQ, that drape over the production like rainfall, dripping insight from the first note. Fisto El Musica and company are onto something here.
Myztro, Sia_TheBee, Shaunmusiq, BigBaller_CEO – "Wadi Wave from Ghana" (feat. Dimphowadiwave)
Myztro is firmly in his own lane. He seemed to realize early on that his brother DJ Maphorisa’s fame might eclipse his own, and has been moving swiftly ever since, dishing out regular hits to keep the masses satisfied. From "Tobetsa" to "66" to "Dipatje Tsa Felo" and beyond, he’s kept his finger on the pulse, reflecting what he senses through layered productions that help push the sound forward. In true amapiano fashion, he doesn’t do it alone. His latest drop is a joint EP with Sia_TheBee, a respected artist in the barcardi house scene. Regular collaborator Shaunmusiq is in the mix, as are BigBaller_Ceo, who had crowds jumping last year with bangers like "Monna Ke Van" and "Hlaba o Be Wete," and Dimphowadiwave, another standout in the barcardi space.
Bukzin Keyz, Benzoo, Tango Supreme – "Mopepe"
Some songs get you going from the jump. They issue no warning, no build-up, just sheer force, driving you into the deep end where the groove is king and the soul effect is unhinged and untethered. On "Mopepe," producer Bukzin Keyz recreates that feeling, aiming straight for the heart rather than skimming the surface. Benzoo, one of the most in-demand artists of the past year, delivers a boastful, high-energy performance that keeps people coming back for more, while DJ duo Tango Supreme — comprising Tiisetso and Nomfundo — add a weightiness that pushes the song beyond the average. Exceptional.
Mr JazziQ, Focalistic, Vigro Deep, Fredy K & M.J. – "Wololo"
Mr JazziQ’s profile has grown exponentially in a relatively short time. Starting out as one half of the formidable JazziDisciples alongside Josiah De Disciple, he went on to become one of the names most frequently mentioned whenever amapiano is discussed. He has parlayed songs and albums with the likes of Busta 929 and Vigro Deep into a growing business portfolio, including a flagship club in the heart of Sandton, Vibes on Main. "Wololo" is how he christens the year, a quintessential sgija banger featuring Focalistic’s assured vocals and easy-going raps, alongside the inventive Freddy K and M.J., renowned for his work on songs like "AboMvelo" by Daliwonga. Vigro Deep’s touch is present throughout: a steady hand shaping JazziQ’s sound, innovating from behind the scenes while holding his sonic universe together.
Mellow & Sleazy, Tman Xpress – "Sweety My Loving" (feat. Ndibo Ndibs and Djy Zan)
When it comes to range, consistent collaboration, and a constant search for the next frontier, few are doing it like Mellow & Sleazy. The duo can move from soulful piano to its street-hardened variations, to barcardi house, and beyond. They stir up chaos on "Sweety My Loving," allowing Tman Xpress to deliver his take on love and longing without fear or favour. Djy Zan and Ndibo Ndabs are also in the mix, resulting in a well-rounded cohort of established and emerging talent that represents multiple corners of amapiano.
