Top amapiano songs of 2020

With its slow-paced throbbing beats, amapiano is the genre to be involved in at the moment and has seen pop acts and hip hop artists like Cassper Nyovest crossing over to join forces with already established amapiano producers Kabza De Small, DJ Maphorisa and Major League DJz.

In January, we published a playlist with the first amapiano hits of the year. Tracks that made it on include ‘Emcimbini’, ‘Tender Love’, ‘Phoyisa’, ‘Going In’ and ‘Umhlaba Wonke’, which have also been featured here alongside the latest big releases.

This playlist will grow throughout the year, so make sure you bookmark it for your continuous listening pleasure.

Amanikiniki by MFR Souls ft. Major League DJz, Kamo Mphela and Bontle Smith

‘Amanikiniki’ is no doubt among the best amapiano bangers of 2020. The song features powerful bass beats coupled with Kamo Mphela and Bontle Smith’s fascinating dances.

Why Ngikufela by Kabza De Small ft. Sha Sha, DJ Maphorisa

This is another melodic track by the amapiano ‘first family’ Kabza De Small, Sha Sha and DJ Maphorisa. Any song which features the above artists generates a lot of attention among amapiano fans. Listen!

Soweto Blues by Juls ft. Busiswa and Jaz Karis

The ‘Soweto Blues’ sound is a constant reminder that gqom and house music are some of the reasons amapiano exists. Shot in the busy streets of Soweto, the video for the song borrows kwaito and house dances.

Lala Ngoxolo by Kabza De Small, Kelvin Momo and Mhaw Keys

The song is a tribute to the late amapiano DJ Papers 707, who died in June aged 42.

Askies by Mr JazziQ ft. Moonchild Sanelly

Moonchild Sanelly did a good job on ‘Askies’. Her husky voice fused with the song’s slow tempo sets the track apart – there is pure connection.  

Ke Star by Focalistic ft. Vigro Deep

In this song, Focalistic boasts that he is a star in the game. He does not shy away to assert that he is the best and goes on to show his gold certification in the video.

Sponono by Kabza De Small ft. Wizkid, Burna Boy, Cassper Nyovest and Madumane

Music knows no boundaries as can be seen by the inclusion of Nigerian artists Wizkid and Burna Boy on ‘Sponono’. Their presence is a sign that the genre is growing beyond South Africa.

MI AMOR by DJ Maphorisa & Kabza De Small ft. Qwesta Kufet

The song garnered more views on YouTube after a few weeks of release. No doubt its comic video and appealing dances played a pivotal role in its success.  

Ma Dlamini by Oskido ft. Kabza De Small, Professor

No doubt a banger, the song is courtesy of music greats Oskido ft. Kabza De Small and Professor. The animated video spiced up everything.

Suka by Scorpion Kings ft. Busiswa

The presence of house queen Busiswa on an amapiano song is proof that the genre has gained momentum. The video for the song features Busiswa’s energetic dances.  

iThemba'lam by DJ Maphorisa, Kabza De Small ft. Sha Sha

The song is off the Once Upon a Time in Lockdown album and features SA-based Zimbabwean amapiano vocalist Sha Sha.

Sbongile by DJ Maphorisa, Kabza De Small by ft. Masterpiece, Bontle Smith & Myztro

What makes ‘Sbongile’ stand out is the fusion of different vocals and the powerful beats.

Buya & Agfreesto by DJ Maphorisa, Kabza De Small ft. Lesego

Another promising song off the Once Upon a Time in Lockdown album.

Lorch by Kabza De Small and DJ Maphorisa ft. Semi Tee, Miano and Kammu Dee

'Lorch' premiered on YouTube on 20 March and promises to be a club banger when the clubs reopen after the COVID-19 crisis is over. The song has kasi flavour and the video makes you long for a big party and a stadium outing to watch the Soweto Derby.

Gabadiya by Semi Tee ft. Miano, Kammu Dee and Ora De

'Gabadiya' is another new addition by Semi Tee, a promising artist who has been featured on many amapiano songs. 'Gabadiya' was released on 20 March and is doing relatively well on YouTube. Semi Tee made a grand entrance in 2019 with his hit song 'Labantwana Ama Uber'.

Lalela by MFR Souls ft. The Squad

‘Lalela’, which simply translates as 'listen', is a song by MFR Souls, a house duo from Katlehong in the East Rand, proving that almost everyone is trying their hand at amapiano. The song is off the group’s The Beginning EP.

Akulaleki (cover) by William Last KRM

Comedian William Last KRM has done amazingly on the ‘Akulaleki’ cover, originally composed by Samthing Soweto and featuring amapiano giants Sha Sha, DJ Maphorisa and Kabza De Small. The video was released in mid-February, with William Last KRM’s humorous antics making this video truly special.

Lerato Fela by King Monada, Kabza de Small, Sha Sha and Madumane

‘Lerato Fela’ is a love song released ahead of Valentine’s Day. What makes the song popular are the featured artists, namely King Monada, Kabza De Small and Sha Sha – absolute legends in the amapiano movement.

Tender Love by Sha Sha ft. Kabza De Small, DJ Maphorisa

‘Tender Love’ could be one of the best amapiano tracks of the year. It was released in early January and set the standard. If you don't fall in love with Sha Sha's singing on this track, you have no heartbeat. There isn’t much else to say here. All you need to do is listen and enjoy.

Tikoloshi by Soweto's Finest ft. KayGee Da King and Bizizi

The lyrics used in ‘Tikoloshi’ drive home the point that amapiano is here to stay. Just like a tikoloshi (a type of goblin in Zulu/Xhosa mythology), the genre won't sleep at night. The video is powered by Soweto's Finest synchronised choreography.

Ndikuze by Major League DJz & Focalistic Ndikuze ft. Moonchild, Kabza De Small & The Lowkeys

‘Ndikuze’ was released in January and features Moonchild Sanelly, who is probably the most talked-about musician and dancer in South Africa right now. Moonchild is literally everywhere and was even featured by Die Antwoord. Ndikuze is a production masterpiece with Kabza De Small’s genre-defining beats.

Hello by Kabza De Small & DJ Maphorisa

‘Hello’ is off the Scorpion Kings album by Kabza De Small and DJ Maphorisa. The song has no dedicated video but is one of the biggest songs of the year. Sometimes music speaks for itself.

Emcimbini by Kabza De Small, DJ Maphorisa, Samthing Soweto, Aymos, Mas Musiq and Myztro

When we compiled our Top amapiano songs of January 2020 playlist, 'Emcimbini' was the most popular amapiano track in South Africa, and it doesn’t look like it will lose this status anytime soon. The song is also off the Scorpion Kings album.

Phoyisa by Kabza De Small and DJ Maphorisa ft. Cassper Nyovest and Qwestakufet

‘Phoyisa’ sees rapper Cassper Nyovest join the amapiano movement with 'Phoyisa', although this track harks back to old-school kwaito more than most of the songs on this playlist.

Going In by Sha Sha ft. Kabza De Small and DJ Maphorisa

There is a special chemistry between Sha Sha, Kabza and Maphorisa and ‘Going In’ plays with the loungier elements of amapiano, ideal for a sit-down setting with cocktails and good company.

Idliwe by Kabza De Small, DJ Maphorisa, Mlindo the Vocalist and Howard

‘Idliwe’ is another great song off Kabza De Small and DJ Maphorisa's latest album. The duo sought the help of Mlindo the Vocalist and Howard to complete this power collabo.

Umhlaba Wonke by Gaba Cannal ft. Busiswa

An amapiano, gqom or house playlist wouldn’t be complete without Busiswa's vocals. On this track, she collaborates with Gaba Cannal and the result is pretty impressive.