Amapiano grew out of South Africa’s house scene and turned into one of the biggest dance sounds in the world, with its rolling log drums, soft piano lines and long, patient builds. It has produced Grammy winners, viral dance challenges and chart hits far beyond South Africa. These are ten amapiano songs every fan should have in their playlist.
1. Water by Tyla (2023)
No amapiano song has gone further. Tyla shared a snippet of “Water” and its dance challenge on TikTok in July 2023, and the song took off. It peaked at number seven on the Billboard Hot 100 in January 2024, making Tyla the highest-charting African female soloist in the chart’s history, ahead of Miriam Makeba’s “Pata Pata”.
It also won the first ever Grammy for Best African Music Performance. Remixes with Travis Scott and Marshmello followed.
2. Ke Star (Remix) by Focalistic featuring Davido and Vigro Deep (2021)
The original “Ke Star”, with Vigro Deep, came out in April 2020 and made Focalistic’s name. The remix, released in February 2021, added Davido and took the song across the continent. It was an early Nigeria and South Africa crossover of the amapiano era.
The partnership carried on: Davido and Focalistic later worked together on “Champion Sound”.
3. Mnike by Tyler ICU and Tumelo_za (2023)
Released in April 2023 with DJ Maphorisa, Nandipha808, Ceeka RSA and Tyron Dee, “Mnike” became the biggest amapiano song of its year at home. It went to number one on both the Official South African Charts and Billboard South Africa Songs, and stayed there for 16 consecutive weeks.
It also earned Tyler ICU a Best African Act nomination at the 2023 MTV Europe Music Awards.
4. Tshwala Bam by TitoM and Yuppe featuring S.N.E and EeQue (2024)
“Tshwala Bam”, Zulu for “my liquor”, passed 100 million streams in under a month after its release in February 2024. Its rise came from TikTok, after someone paired it with a video of the Ama Quality Boys dance group.
A remix with Burna Boy arrived in May 2024 and brought it to his audience too.
5. Umshove by Kabza De Small featuring Leehleza (2018)
Kabza De Small is often called the king of amapiano, and “Umshove” is the song that brought him international attention in 2018. If you want to understand where the modern sound came from, start here.
His work since, solo and as one half of the Scorpion Kings with DJ Maphorisa, has done as much as anyone’s to shape the genre.
6. Bopha by Felo Le Tee and Mellow & Sleazy featuring Young Stunna (2021)
“Bopha” was the song that made Young Stunna. He featured on Felo Le Tee and Mellow & Sleazy’s track in early 2021, and it became one of the biggest amapiano hits of the year.
It opened the door for his debut album, Notumato, which went to number one in South Africa and was certified platinum.
7. Adiwele by Young Stunna (2021)
If “Bopha” introduced Young Stunna, “Adiwele” confirmed him. It reached number one across South African radio, with a total of 23.4 million impressions, and it remains one of his signature songs.
He has worked closely with Kabza De Small and DJ Maphorisa throughout his career.
8. Umlando by Toss, 9umba and Mdoovar (2022)
Released on 13 January 2022, “Umlando” brought together Sino Msolo, Lady Du, Young Stunna, Sir Trill and Slade on one track. It debuted at number three in South Africa and went platinum.
It is a good example of the genre’s collaborative streak, where a single song can hold half a dozen voices without feeling crowded.
9. Abalele by Kabza De Small and DJ Maphorisa featuring Ami Faku (2021)
The Scorpion Kings released “Abalele” in September 2021, with Ami Faku’s voice floating over the top.
10. Asibe Happy by Ami Faku, DJ Maphorisa and Kabza De Small (2021)
Two months after “Abalele”, the same trio returned with “Asibe Happy” in November 2021. The title means “let’s be happy”, and the song does exactly what it says.
Played together, “Abalele” and “Asibe Happy” make a strong case for Ami Faku as one of amapiano’s best voices.
Find more amapiano artists, with track previews and streaming links, in the AfroYard artist directory.
