These are songs that popularize Amapiano genre in Nigeria.
There is a lot of confusion and disagreement surrounding the genre’s roots, with different descriptions of the musical genres in the Johannesburg slums of Soweto, Alexandra, Vosloorus, and Katlehong. However, the genre acquired popularity in Katlehong, the township east of Johannesburg.
Some claim the genre originated in Pretoria because of its resemblance to Bacardi.
However, there are conflicting accounts as to who created the popular genre, making it impossible to definitively identify its founders.
Songs that popularize Amapiano genre in Nigeria
Kilofeshe – Zinoleesky
The moment Zinoleesky released Kilofeshe, every area where music is valued—including the streets, clubs, social media, and private spaces—went wild.
It had revived street music and represented a complete localization of the Amapiano sound, as it had been done by Niphkeys, in which the ingredients were confronted head-on by Fuji and Afrobeat components to make a banger single.
Kilofeshe was released on the 27th of November, 2020 and had been a huge end-of-year jam.
Squander – Falz, Niniola
Squander features all, or the majority of, the Amapiano musical elements, including the loopy horns, light pads, bouncing basslines, and synth chords.
The Yung Willis-produced album, which was optimized for the Nigerian market with its fast speed, quickly found favourable footing on the music scene following its release on the 4th of December, 2020.
This was further emphasized by Falz’s effortless flow on the beat and Niniola’s singing.
Hallelu – Masterkraft, Bella Shmurda, Zlatan
With his horn-infused Amapiano-infused street hop banger, which he worked on with Bella Shmurda and Zlatan, Masterkraft has previously demonstrated a propensity for using horns on his Amapiano compositions.
Hallelu, which was published on December 11th, 2020, was one of the songs that brought a musically fruitful year to a close.
High Way – DJ Kaywise ft Phyno
Amapiano bangers were a big part of the music for December 2020, and DJ Kaywise’s track Highway with Phyno on it was one among them.
Highway, a record that Yung Willis produced, using Amapiano’s powerful basslines, snares, and synthesizer while preserving the fast-paced style of Nigerian street hop music to create an unstoppable song that was primarily sung by Phyno in Igbo.
Ke Star Remix – Focalistic and Davido ft Virgo Deep
Davido, a strong proponent of the adage “go big or go home,” joined the Amapiano bandwagon by working with well-known South African rapper Focalistic to remix his song “Ke Star.”
Nigerians came to learn Amapiano dance routines with more vigour and panache after the song spread like wildfire and acted as a bridge for the two countries admiration and love of Amapiano music.
One of the most popular songs in the nation as well as South Africa was the Ke Star remix, which was released on February 19, 2021.
Monalisa – Lojay and Sarz
Monalisa by Lojay and Sarz has a popular remix featuring American singer Chris Brown right now, demonstrating the popularity of the original song.
As the lead track on Lojay and Sarz’s collaborative EP, it debuted as a sleeper hit before exploding into a blockbuster hit thanks to the flute-driven, hazy Amapiano vibe it featured.
It’s noteworthy to note that before Lojay joined the track and gave it fresh life, Sarz already had the Amapiano instrumentals for Monalisa.
On June 4th, 2021, Monalisa and the LV N ATTN EP were made available.
Yaba Buluku Remix – DJ Tarico and Burna Boy ft Preck and Nelson Tivane
The Yaba Buluku remix by DJ Tarico and Burna Boy offers a brief geography lesson on the various Swahili-speaking South African countries, including Mozambique, the DJ’s own country, where Nigeria and Mozambique exchange cultures, sounds, and musical ability.
It’s interesting to note that on Yaba Buluku, the two nations were represented not only by musicians but also by hypemen, who raised the culture of their nations by praising the performer in their native tongues.