We spoke with one of amapiano’s biggest names, DJ Maphorisa, about the genre’s continued success, the making of some of his biggest tracks, and his hopes for Piano People in the Park.
Dami Aberuagba:
You’re here quite often – what are your favourite places in the UK?
DJ Maphorisa:
I’ve been gigging mostly, so I’ve enjoyed Printworks and Ministry of Sound. I did a show at Koko. Also Drumsheds – we did some amazing things there with Piano People.
Dami Aberuagba:
Which one stands out the most?
DJ Maphorisa:
Printworks was like… wow. It was sold out with like 5 and a half thousand people. So London’s been holding us down, shout out to London.
Dami Aberuagba:
Over the past couple years the amapiano scene has grown very quickly, especially here in London. How does that make you feel?
DJ Maphorisa:
The artists are eating now. I’m seeing artists leaving South Africa, getting more of an audience, and growing their brand. So, I’m loving how the amapiano movement is growing and shoutout to everyone who made it big.
Dami Aberuagba:
You’re one of the pioneers. Where do you think it will be in the next 5 years?
DJ Maphorisa:
We’re trying to grow it and inspire the kids, and show them that this thing is possible. We’ve already seen growth: look at Natalie Wonga and other female DJs. Shout out to the female DJs who show love from South Africa and outside South Africa. Shout out to everyone who’s part of our band. We’re very proud of them.
Dami Aberuagba:
You mentioned that a lot of female DJs are entering – who are your favourites?
DJ Maphorisa:
Oh my favourite is DBN Gogo. She’s doing a thing man, amazing things. She’s opened a lot of doors and inspired a lot of young female DJs. Seeing that growth and that we’re expanding and making amapiano sexy is dope.
Dami Aberuagba:
You’ve got Piano People in the Park coming up in August. Are you excited about that?
DJ Maphorisa:
Excited and nervous.
Dami Aberuagba:
Why nervous?
DJ Maphorisa:
We’ve always been doing things indoors, but this is our first outdoor performance in London. 7 or 8 thousand people will be there, so we’re excited about it and just want everyone to come and support amapiano.
Dami Aberuagba:
I’ve been seeing a lot of people on TikTok and social media mixing amapiano with Indian and Korean music, so it’s definitely expanding globally. How do you feel about the globalisation of amapiano outside of South Africa?
DJ Maphorisa:
Seeing amapiano connect with everyone of different races and enjoying it around the world is the greatest thing. A beautiful thing. Sometimes I think international communities are really important for building anything to do with music.
Dami Aberuagba:
So, sticking with the wider world of music outside amapiano, who are some of your favourite artists you’ve worked with?
DJ Maphorisa:
I’d say Wizkid, Davido, Burna.
Dami Aberuagba:
Some big names.
DJ Maphorisa:
I’ve been evolving within genres and with my sound so I’ve never stayed in one place. I’ve been trying out a lot of things so working with everyone has helped me to evolve. I’ve worked with Rayvanny from the East African side, with Stonebwoy from Ghana, and I’ve been busy with DJ Tunes. Even last night I was with Wizkid working on something, and it’s dope to see everyone showing them all love. Wiz and me have crazy ideas and just need to decide what and when we’re going to drop.
Dami Aberuagba:
So there’s a lot of stuff you’re hiding from us.
DJ Maphorisa:
Maybe a tape. I don’t have anything solid, but I’ll definitely let everyone know when we’re going to drop it.
Dami Aberuagba:
There’ve been a lot of Nigerian Afrobeat artists that have been jumping on amapiano beats and making a lot of music. Some people don’t like it, but I think it expands the musical world.
DJ Maphorisa:
Nigerians have a different kind of strategy when they approach music and, for me, it helped me a lot and inspired me. They’re changing the whole game and it’s really exciting.
Dami Aberuagba:
And if I say name your best newcomers? New kids who we should look for?
DJ Maphorisa:
There’s MDU aka TRP. Look out for Leemckrazy, Scotts Maphuma Cowboy. There’s too many bro.
Dami Aberuagba:
Amapiano music is one of those genres that make you feel like you can just be free and dance without any looks or anything. I believe you have one of the greatest amapiano catalogues. You have ‘Ba Straata’, and ‘Asibe Happy’. Then there’s ‘Abalele’ – that song is spiritual. When you were making it, what was going through your mind?
DJ Maphorisa:
Kabza De Small worked so much on that song, and he built a studio in his new house and I started on that song there. Ami Faku was there and worked on two songs in one day: ‘Abalele’ and ‘Asibe Happy’. She recorded them both in one day and the way she wrote was so spiritually deep and I was like, “Wow, that’s fire”. So, I did my thing with some additional production but it’s really Kabza that was coming with the fire, bro.
Dami Aberuagba:
Serious fire.
DJ Maphorisa:
It’s deep for me when it comes to music. I’ve been in the industry for a long time. I had my peak and now I’m working with experience and trying to help younger artists do the same. With them, their energy is still young. I mean, I’ve done my part. it’s like soccer, bro – I’m in the game but I’m not on the field. David Beckham’s documentary is actually what’s happening to me. I have to be a coach, you know what I’m saying, making sure that I do that thing because I’m bent on it, bro.