DJ Maphorisa has advised Nigerian DJs to elevate their performances of South African Amapiano tracks.
Expressing dismay over the prevalent use of high BPM (beats per minute) among Nigerian DJs when playing Amapiano songs, Maphorisa stressed the significance of maintaining the genre’s intrinsic rhythm.
He criticized the excessively high BPM, suggesting that a tempo as high as 160 could dilute the unique essence of Amapiano music.
Instead, he urged DJs to lower the BPM to 130, ensuring a more authentic and enjoyable listening experience.
During an Instagram live session, Maphorisa emphasized, “Amapiano shouldn’t be rushed. 160 bpm is too high. Please, bring it down to 130.”
Despite hailing from South Africa, DJ Maphorisa has made significant inroads into the Nigerian music scene, collaborating with top Afrobeats stars such as Wizkid and Lojay.
His influence underscores the growing fusion of Amapiano with the broader Afrobeats genre since 2020.
The rise of Amapiano in Nigeria has been meteoric, with numerous Nigerian artists embracing its infectious rhythms. Notably, Asake and Olamide’s “Amapiano,” a tribute to the genre, earned a nomination for Best African Song Performance at the 66th Grammy Awards.
