Amapiano (Zulu for "pianos") is a South African dance music style reminiscent of deep house and kwaito, with simmering rhythms, kinetic basslines, and sometimes church-like organ melodies. There are numerous different accounts as to where amapiano originated, with several townships claiming ownership, but what started around the mid-2010s as a homegrown sound, made by bedroom producers and mainly distributed via file-sharing sites and mobile phone apps, evolved into one of South Africa's major styles by 2019, with its popularity spreading throughout Africa in 2020. Gauteng-based DJ and producer
Teno Afrika (
Lutendo Raduvha) began making amapiano tracks as a teenager, and his debut album was digitally released by
Brian Shimkovitz's essential blog-turned-label
Awesome Tapes from Africa in late 2020. Earning widespread praise from across the globe, the album was issued on CD and LP in 2021, making it one of amapiano's first physical releases. Considering that
Amapiano Selections is perhaps the style's introduction to most listeners outside of Africa, its release is similar to
Planet Mu's decision to put out more left-field music by
DJ Nate in 2010 before issuing material by now-recognized Chicago footwork pioneers such as
DJ Rashad and
RP Boo. Amapiano artists like
Sun-El Musician and
Kabza De Small have scored major radio and streaming hits with an accessible, commercial version of the sound -- the latter has collaborated with international stars like
Burna Boy and
Wizkid.
Teno Afrika deliberately decided to make his introduction to the world be an instrumental showcase of his production skills. His steadily paced tracks contain subtly shifting drum patterns with tapping snares, shakers, and in some cases, an absence of a constant 4/4 kick drum. The basslines have a deep, percussive tone to them, and it might be easy to overlook how intricate the arrangements are because the atmosphere is so laid-back and spacious. A few tracks such as "8 Ubers" and "Conka" are a bit more tense, but not as aggressive as gqom, another one of South Africa's most innovative dance sounds during the 2010s. "Lerato La Bass" is the strangest track here, starting out straightforward before being interrupted by a rapid sequence of voices, percussive hits, and an especially jarring buzz. "Smooth Criminal," by contrast, seems much lighter and happier, floating in the clouds thanks to its
Larry Heard-style airy synth pads and melodic pianos. "Chants of Africa" is the only track to incorporate sung vocals, but they're used as an eerie textural element, conveying intrigue solely through tone rather than language.
Teno Afrika's version of amapiano is warm, inviting, and easy to relax to, yet also full of wonder and mystery. ~ Paul Simpson
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