amapiano
what it is
Amapiano (Zulu for "the pianos") is a style of house music that emerged in South Africa in 2012. Amapiano is a hybrid of deep house, jazz and lounge music characterized by synths, airy pads and wide and percussive basslines. It is distinguished by high-pitched piano melodies, Kwaito basslines, low tempo 90s South African house rhythms and percussions from another local subgenre of house known as Bacardi.
✦ start here: albums
✦ who's making it, level by level
level 2 · the door
big names with a sharper edge
level 3 · one step out
cult favorites and indie darlings
level 4 · further
art pop, hyperpop, and the underground
level 5 · all the way
deep experimental
✦ make amapiano a playlist
turn these 18 artists into something you can press play on.
✦ nearby genres
questions
What is amapiano?
Amapiano (Zulu for "the pianos") is a style of house music that emerged in South Africa in 2012. Amapiano is a hybrid of deep house, jazz and lounge music characterized by synths, airy pads and wide and percussive basslines. It is distinguished by high-pitched piano melodies, Kwaito basslines, low tempo 90s South African house rhythms and percussions from another local subgenre of house known as Bacardi.
What are good amapiano albums to start with?
Try She Did It Again (feat. Zara Larsson) by Tyla, BOOM SZN by Anatii, Auti 'eSharp by Mas Musiq, and Tugela Fairy by Simmy.
Who are some women making amapiano?
musicisforgirls.com/genres/amapiano/girls lists women, non-binary artists, and bands with women making amapiano, from mainstream to underground.
genre notes from last.fm listeners · artists and albums from last.fm, updated 2026-10-20