There is a new kid on the block! VIMN Africa’s leading youth music culture & lifestyle entertainment channel, MTV Base (DStv channel 322) launches the Behind the Amapiano Movement documentary series which is set to air on heritage day, Tuesday, 24 September at 21:00 CAT. MTV Base, currently the No.1 music TV channel on the continent, is a pioneer in creating innovative programming and production. The docu-series will unpack the story behind the genre and entertain audiences on the origins and insights of the Amapiano Movement and Lifestyle.
Amapiano is the fasted growing music genre following the popular KZN Gqom, which took the nation by storm a few years ago. The doccie features commentary from artists like De Mthuda and Njelic hit makers of Shesha Geza, prominent Amapiano DJ and producer Kabza De Small, DJ duo Major League, award winning vocalist Lady Zamar, popular DJ Zinhle, the legendary DJ Vinny Da Vinci and many more.
What is Amapiano and where did it all start? DJ’s, producers and music promoters from four of Gauteng’s biggest townships i.e. Soweto, Pretoria, East Rand and Alexandra, claim to be the originators of Amapiano but the jury is still out on that one. The genre has jazzy keys and a strong kwaito influence with its vocals, was the sub-culture born from the soulful sounds of Bacardi or is it just the evolution of deep South African House music? The fact is the genre is rapidly growing and the “gong gong” sound is certainly disrupting the music scene across borders in the continent in a mammoth way.
Said Monde Twala, Vice President for Youth, Music and BET at Viacom International Media Networks Africa (VIMN Africa), “MTV Base is all about culture, music and the streets. We offer content that is relevant, fun, bold and contributes to stimulating conversation. MTV Base led with Gqom Nation and now leaps ahead with the Behind the Amapiano Movement. We continue to champion talent, music and street culture for lovers of music and dance. The new wave is here to entertain and showcase the freshest sound taking Mzansi by storm.”
The sheer number of Amapiano songs that are posted and released online are testament to how Generation Z has disrupted the music and cultural landscape. In today’s world, a song can blow up on WhatsApp without mastering. Amapiano fans insist that Amapiano is a movement on its own. It’s a cross culture lifestyle which has influenced dance floors and has certainly brought a new energy to the club scene.
With over two decades of deejaying under his belt legendary, DJ Vinny Da Vinci said, “Every once in a while a sub-genre will take over the music scene and that time is now for Amapiano.”
“Most of the stuff they sing about mirrors society,” added Metro FM DJ Mo Flava.
Does is matter whether Amapiano comes from Pretoria, Soweto, Alexandra or the East Rand? The fact is, Amapiano has taken South African streets, clubs, parties and social media by storm.We have seen the evolution of Mzansi’s music, from bubble gum, disco, kwaito to Gqom. Will Amapiano fizzle out when the next hungry and pragmatic generation come up with a next creative sound and will it lead to another redefining cultural movement?
Catch the Behind the Amapiano Movement documentary every Tuesday from 24 September at 21:00 CAT on MTV Base (DStv channel 322).
