Best Breakout Amapiano House Artists to Watch in 2024

Amapiano has the potential to take the house music scene by storm in 2024 with its diverse sound and performance styles.

Since the beginning of the pandemic, Amapiano music has been steadily making waves around the world. Amapiano means the “piano” ie “piano people” in Zulu. The sound is dominated by jazzy chords and thumping basses that don’t overpower them. Inspired by the House music movement in the U.S., South Africa has made the genre its own with the birth of Amapiano. 

The house music subgenre is a unique blend of house, jazz, and kwaito music with roots in South Africa. Although this list is not as extensive as it should be, here are 6 Amapiano artists to check out in the coming year. 

Major League Djz

Major league Djz, the brother duo who helped make Amapiano music go viral online, has been introducing house music fans to Amapiano for the last two years. The Johannesburg natives, Bandile And BaneleMbere, create a party atmosphere with their music that stays true to the soul of Amapiano music. Major League DJz has a tour scheduled this fall expected to hit major cities including London, Los Angeles, and Sacramento. 

Uncle Waffles

Uncle Waffles’ unique DJ sets have been a part of her fast global ascend. She recently played at the Brooklyn Mirage, dazzling the crowd in front of and behind the DJ booth with her dance moves. Her most recent album Solace explores a calmer, more solace sound to Amapiano. In true Amapiano fashion, her sound has been elevated with a number of features from other Amapiano DJs and producers dominating the South African Amapiano house scene.

Mellow & Sleazy 

Hailing from the South African capital city of Pretoria, Mellow & Sleazy produces energetic amapiano hits with deep basses and complimentary vocals. Their sound has been heavily influenced by Bacardi House, an early genre of house music in South Africa with heavy similarities to the Amapiano sound. One of their most recent tracks “Abo Mvelo” featuring Daliwonga went viral in the United States. 

DJ Karri

DJ Karri has become one of South Africa’s most popular DJs and event promoters. His sound showcases the way in which Amapiano music constantly reinvents itself. His house tracks are infectious and signature with their use of vocal stacking and classic electronic music elements.

Kamo Mphela

Kamo Mphela has stardom that has made her a standout in the Amapiano scene. In addition to her sound, Kamo has the vocals to back it up, adding her own rap lyrics to some of her biggest hits. Her live performances take the music to another level with live dancers and an energy that permeates throughout the crowd. 

Musa Keys

Musa Keys is a Grammy-nominated artist with a captivating stage presence that has taken South Africa by storm. Musa Keys’ single “Vula Mlomo” went double platinum in South Africa. Since then, the South African artist has been hitting stages for bigger audiences. In December he is expected to play his first curated festival Detty December.