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Amapiano y Swapiano: África Music Revolution

patri | 14 febrero, 2022

Have you ever heard  of the term Swapiano ?

You may not have heard of it but surely if you have listened to its sounds and danced its rhythms. Well, it’s impossible not to dance it!

Swapiano comes from the musical genre Amapiano, a style of house music that emerged in South Africa in 2012. Amapiano is a hybrid of deep house, jazz and lounge music characterized by synths, airy pads and wide percussive basslines. It is distinguished by high-pitched piano melodies, Kwaito basslines, low tempo 90s South African house rhythms and percussions from another local subgenre of house known as Bacardi.

In 2019, the genre experienced increased popularity across the African continent with noted increases in digital streams and chart successes in countries far from its South African origin.

 

 

The early amapiano compositions and mixes were experimental and represented a spirit of freedom, devoid of any specific style but drawing influence from many.

The frequency of amapiano posts on social media confirms the genre’s massive popularity. In September, the hashtag #amapiano reached more than 100 million views on TikTok, with new and established musicians sharing their music with the global community. Kabza De Small and DJ Maphorisa led the pack, amassing over 13 million views for their hit ‘Phoyisa’. The genre also commands a strong presence on music streaming platforms. Last year, Kabza De Small was the most streamed local artist on Spotify SA followed by DJ Maphorisa. Deezer recently reported that its amapiano playlist is the most streamed thus far in 2020. This widespread growth has spawned more music production with idiosyncratic compositions.

Now the Amapiano style reaches Ibiza Sonica thanks to + PLUS MUSIC  TANZANIA  with Nelix, who will host his own radio show every Sunday from 5pm to 6pm!

 

Nelson Cassian Ngamilo (Nelix) born in Dar-Es-Saalam, Tanzania is a self-taught DJ and Producer that has based in African House Music from Afrohouse , Afrotech, Deep House and even the rising sub-genre of Amapiano. Music has always revolved around Nelix when he was a dancer in primary school and later on moved to producing in secondary school with a help of an educated music teacher on musical knowledge. During high school events he was the DJ and organized the music to play for his fellow students and show case his talent. Moving on to university he managed to get major gigs in bars and clubs that’s when he started to get recognition around his city. Currently he is working on his 3 upcoming Amapiano albums with one Afrohouse album together with his vocalist that polish his amazing beats.

 

For more info and music:

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCfLi6HAZNg_IxXy9S6vwY9w

Apple Music https://music.apple.com/tz/artist/nelix/1489485255

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/n.e.l.i.x

 

 

 

Written by patri





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