'This Is Amapiano' (Documentary) : DIRECTOR'S CUT BBC Africa

From the streets of South Africa to dance floors around the world, Amapiano is one of the fastest growing new music genres.

A new documentary ‘This is Amapiano' tells the story of the genre to date, including the crucial role that viral dance challenges on Tik Tok have played in its global spread. #Amapiano generated over one billion views (1,6bn) on Tik Tok in 2021, with global streams on Spotify’s AmaPiano spotlight playlist increasing by 116%.

Kutloano Nhlapo AKA DJ Da Kruk is a South African DJ, Producer & Presenter who has been pushing Amapiano on his radio show since the early days and spoke to the most important DJs, artists and producers in the scene.

IN MEMORY
Khanya Hadebe AKA The Voice
Sakhile Hlatshwayo AKA Killer Kau
Thando Khunjwa AKA TD
Thando Sibisi AKA DJ Tot
Mongezi Stuurman AKA Mpura

PRESENTER
Kutloano Nhlapo

PRODUCTION COORDINATOR
Izzy Fleming

PRODUCTION MANAGER
Kate Moore

SOUND MIX
5a Studios

GRADE
Priory Post

SOUTH AFRICA CAMERA CREW
Barnaby Mitchell
Nigel Stöckl

LONDON CAMERA CREW
Nyasha Michelle
Sam Adigun Ade
Cebo Luthuli

SOUND RECORDIST
David Seapose

PRODUCTION ASSISTANT
Elphas Kgatle

LOCATION ASSISTANT
Fanele Simelane

DRIVER
David Mamorobela

TRANSLATOR
Mathiba Molefe

RESEARCHER
Mbali Ndhlovu
GRAPHIC DESIGN
Tuscani Walsh

MUSIC RIGHTS EXECUTIVES
Maddie Hennessy
Danny Neale

WITH THANKS TO
Afro Nation Portugal
Amafest
Front / Back Accra
Getty Images
Heavens Digital
House Of Yanos Dubai
Lawk Communications
Makubenjalo Diepkloof
Motion Array
Pianofest Nairobi
Seriti Films
Soweto’s Finest Dance Studio
Tales of the Cool
The Balcony Mix Africa
Tik Tok Africa

MUSIC

Adiwele (2021) - Young Stunna ft. Kabza de Small

All of This (2021) – Jorja Smith, GuiltyBeatz

Ama Number Ayi '10 (2021) - Cassper Nyovest ft. LuuDadeejay, Kammu Dee, Abidoza

Banyana (2021) DJ Maphorisa, Tyler ICU ft. Daliwonga, Sir Trill

Champion Sound (2021) - Davido, Focalistic

Dakiwe (2020) DBN Gogo, Lady Du ft. Mr JazziQ, Seekay, Busta 929

Dipatje Tsa Felo (2021) - Felo Le Tee & Myztro ft. Daliwonga

Ghost (2022) Kamo Mphela ft. Felo Le Tee

iPiano (2021) - Kamo Mphela, Sha Sha ft. Felo le Tee

Jabula (2020) - Daliwonga ft. Kabza De Small, DJ Maphorisa & Mkeys

John Vuli Gate (2020) - Mapara A Jazz ft. Colano, Ntosh Gazi

Ke Star (2020) - Focalistic ft. Davido, Vigro Deep

Khuza Gogo (2021) – DBN Gogo, MasterBlaq, Blaqnick ft. Ama Avenger, Mpura, M.J.

Kwela Swing Time - A.G Magwaza

Ngwana Mani (2021) Felo Le Tee

Superman (2020) DJ Stokie ft. Kabza De Small, Masterpiece YVK, Madumane

Umshini (2021) Dlala Regal ft. Scotts

Wena (2020) Dj Stokie ft. Nia Pearl, Bongza & MDU aka TRP

Yaba Buluku (2021) - DJ Tarico, Burna Boy

66 (2021) - Felo Le Tee & Myztro

DIRECTOR
Marcel Lawson

FILM EDITORS
Marcel Lawson
Mads Nybo Jorgensen

PRODUCER
Kevyah Cardoso

PRODUCTION EXECUTIVE
Nayantara Gauba

SPECIAL THANKS
Princess Abumere

EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS
Faron Mackenzie
Jameisha Prescod
Joe Harland
Marko Zoric
Miriam Quansah
Vara Szajkowski

#amapiano #amapiano2022 #bbcafrica

[leoncoetzer]

Finally, Amapianio getting its due. Thank you

[meech]

I'm a black American living in NYC and I listen to Amapiano just about every single day.
To my brothers and sisters in YOU !!!

[thembekileblessmore]

As a Zimbabwean living on the moon, I can confirm that AMAPIANO is taking over the world

[amabeoh]

i‘m a white girl in austria okay and i had goosebumps the whole video the love for amapiano is enormous

[BreannaBaozi]

I'm a white lady from the USA. When I first heard DJ Stokie I was so enamored by the genre. I didn't even know music could sound this good. Amapiano is so SO good. I came across it by chance and I haven't stopped listening since. Wow

[ikdaboss]

As a Nigerian living in China, AMAPIANO is taking over the clubs even the Chinese ones, as long as there is a foreign DJ and Africans in the building that night is gonna be lit for everyone. waking up in the morning and i cannot start my day without PIANO. This documentary feels incomplete without Kabza De Small, Vigro Deep and Madumane. Oh and this is my opinion and it doesn't have to be the same as yours....deal with it.

[raphy]

As a white European man living in Berlin, passionate about electronic and African music from teenage, I'm overwhelmed by the beauty of this new genre. To me, this feels spiritual, transcendental, optimistic and healing, and the world needs that! There's no other genre that could be compared it. I wish a lot of success to all these artists

[nicolemusiyiwa]

South Africa has made the whole of Africa proud

[lorol]

man, South Africans have SO MUCH SWAG. respect.

[Cbo_Matakane]

“Amapiono for me is black success “ I felt that ❤️💯📌

[MosesApanaCoxson]

I’m one of the first Radio presenters in Ghana to predict Amapiano was coming like a storm. It landed in GH and we hooked on like crack. Congrats SA and Africa.

[TnboinChi]

Amapiano changed my life!!! From Chicago 🇺🇲 and started in 2020 listening to Samthing Soweto and ShaSha. 2 years later, learning isiZulu, isiXhosa and planning a relocation to Pretoria or Tzaneen.
Mzansi, you are taking the world with this sound!!! Yebo!

[joey]

Idk how to say it but there's no African community that inspires me like South Africa! Much love from Nigeria ❤️🇳🇬

[graceeni_]

As a Nigerian, AMAPIANO is indeed the new wave!! Even Asake integrates it in his music. It’s made me fall in love with SA, specifically Zulu culture. Shoutouts to SA fr

[khaney_music]

I’m from Russia and i’m so happy that people in my country are starting to listen to amapiano now! This is a very special and unique music! Thank u South Africa for this amazing gift!

[J_Jdacosta]

Amapiano saved my life!!! 🙏🏾
As a black artist in Germany I started producing and singing on Amapiano Beats & I can say, that I’ve never been so proud of my music as I am now.
Since I released my first Amapiano Track my songs are being airplayed in Germany and I’m officially the first Amapiano Artist in Germany singing in German.
Thank for inspiring me & the world 🌍
One love

[jermainebeckley]

As a black American I’ve definitely fell in love Amapiano music! After visiting South Africa a couple of months ago it’s been in my rotation and definitely makes you want to move!

[liltari]

I don’t know why but me being an African American watching how mainstream this has become is so emotional to me. I strongly love my African brothers and sisters but to see y’all get some shine all over the world is heartwarming! I wish South Africa and the continent of Africa the best! Love y’all! Amapiano to the world! ✊🏾✊🏾

[ucheeke]

As a Nigerian, the first time I heard Amapiano, I was amazed, then Jealous, then happy and proud of these great people, who cooked up this effervescent beat that transports you to realms never before seen.
The documentary feels incomplete without my introductors to the Genre, Maphorisa and a Kabza de small.
South Africa to the world x 1000

[ogaga.u]

Amapiano to the world 🌍

I'm Nigerian but a big kudos to South Africa for this massive beat and genre they've created 👏