South African DJ Legendary Crisp, charts the rise of the homegrown dance music genre Amapiano. She finds out where the hypnotising, jazzy, soulful sound emerged from, what it means culturally, and how it became South Africa's signature music genre of the 2020s. Radio Producer Tim Moorhouse travels to Johannesburg to meet Legendary Crisp and find out about Amapiano's cultural importance. Featuring contributions from Boohle, Josiah De Disciple, Lula Obiba, Madzadza Miya, Nimrod Pitso, Tman Xpress, Felo Le Tee, Chr B, Nkosazana Daughter, Rosey Gold and O.L. Shabba.
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Welcome to the documentary from the World Service.
This is Amapiano, the sound of South Africa.
I'm legendary Crisp, I'm a mix DJ and I'm speaking to you from my home, Johannesburg, South Africa, the contested home of amapiano.
Amapiano is a relatively new genre of house music invented by black South Africans and it's blowing up across the world.
You may have heard it on the radio, at parties or in the club.
It is distinctive and infectious and will make you want to get up and groove.
I'm here to tell you the story behind the music and believe me, it's not what you think.
In this program we'll discover how this music, amapiano, comes.
After decades of black celebratory and liberating music made in defiance of oppression, for us, it's healing and spiritual.
I'm also here to tell you how the music is changing black South Africans lives.
Amapiano is giving artists new freedom and we'll learn about their challenges navigating the music industry today.
We'll hear from the makers of the music as well as my producer Tim and I'm a piano enthusiast from London in the uk.
Hey, I'm Tim.
I'm in London on my way to the airport to fly to Johannesburg to meet legendary Chris and loads of makers of a mapiano all across the city.
Tom and I are some artists what amapiano means to them.
Amapiano represents liberation.
It touches you inside some way.