In 2023, South African dance genre Amapiano, hit over 1.4 billion streams on Spotify. The genre’s influence on the music culture in South Africa, and beyond has seen the world grip in an Amapiano frenzy from dance challenges to inspired collaborations and fusions.
This critical influence has led to the launch of, A Decade of Amapiano, a site looking at the past decade of Amapiano and its different key influences, complemented by an on-platform Amapiano destination with pivotal playlists and podcast for anyone wishing to learn more about the genre’s origins, sounds and future.
The COVID-19 pandemic proved to be a game-changing year for Amapiano’s growth on the platform. In 2020, the genre hit its first 100 million streams, followed by an impressive 300 million streams in 2021, further solidifying its rising popularity.
A Decade of Amapiano, launches today, 14 June, in the lead up to South Africa’s commemoration of Youth Day
The 16th of June marks a historical turning point for the country’s youth and their quest for freedom and justice. Today they use Amapiano as a platform to amplify their voices, freely express their aspirations and showcase their resilience and creativity.
In June 2023, Spotify launched Afrobeats: Journey of a billion streams, a website dedicated to celebrating the Afrobeats genre. Spotify through A Decade of Amapiano reinforces its commitment to supporting the growth of home grown music genres in Africa.
Originating from South African townships to the global stages, A Decade of Amapiano tracks the genre’s ascend to the music throne showcasing the journey and highlighting some of the genre’s key artists.
Here are some of the key stats about the genre on Spotify over the last ten years:
- 345k%+ growth 2023 versus 2014
- Over 855 million so far in 2024.
- 153k%+ growth in export 2023 versus 2014
- 87% growth of female artists 2023 versus 2022
- 40% of listeners are between 18-24 years
“One of the most affirming parts of watching Amapiano explode over the past decade is seeing how people use it for self-expression,’’ says Phiona Okumu, Spotify’s Head of Music in Sub Saharan Africa.
In addition, Spotify will be hosting influencers and media from South Africa, Kenya, Nigeria, Japan, Brazil, Egypt, France, United States of America, and the United Kingdom for a week-long tour tracing this music genre’s history and origins and exploring how the genre traveled beyond South Africa.
The tour debuted last year in June with influencers and media from the African continent, and is expanding to include other countries outside Africa where Amapiano is popular.
Top Amapiano tracks over the last 10 years
| Artist | Track |
| Tyler ICU, Tumelo_za, DJ Maphorisa, Nandipha808, Ceeka RSA, Tyron Dee | Mnike (feat. DJ Maphorisa, Nandipha808, Ceeka RSA, Tumelo_za & Tyron Dee) |
| TitoM, Yuppe, S.N.E, EeQue | Tshwala Bam (feat. S.N.E, EeQue) |
| Kabza De Small, Mthunzi, DJ Maphorisa, Young Stunna, Sizwe Alakine, Umthakathi Kush | Imithandazo (feat. Young Stunna, DJ Maphorisa, Sizwe Alakine & Umthakathi Kush) |
| Kamo Mphela, Tyler ICU, Khalil Harrison, Baby S.O.N | Dalie (feat. Baby S.O.N) |
| Kabza De Small, DJ Maphorisa, Ami Faku | Abalele |
| Uncle Waffles, Tony Duardo, Justin99, Pcee, Chley, EeQue, Chley | Yahyuppiyah (feat. Pcee, EeQue & Chley) |
| Davido, Focalistic | Champion Sound |
| Daliwonga, Mellow & Sleazy, M.J | Abo Mvelo (feat. Mellow & Sleazy & M.J) |
| Soa Mattrix, Mashudu, Happy Jazzman, Emotionz DJ | Mina Nawe |
| DJ Stokie, Omit ST, Sobzeen, Zee_nhle | Awukhuzeki |
Top Artists last 10 years
- DJ Maphorisa
- Kabza De Small
- Tyler ICU
- Mellow & Sleazy
- Kelvin Momo
- Focalistic
- Young Stunna
- Aymos
- Daliwonga
- Mas Musiq
Top Countries streaming Amapiano last 10 years
- South Africa
- United States Of America
- United Kingdom
- Nigeria
- Germany
Top Amapiano playlists in 2024
A Decade of Amapiano is now live on Spotify’s For The Record and the Amapiano destination on-platform.
Watch this space for updates in the Music News category on Running Wolf’s Rant.
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