The Big Hash Claps Back At Hip Hop Fans Accusing Him Of Chasing Amapiano Trends
The Big Hash Claps Back At Hip Hop Fans Accusing Him of Chasing Amapiano Trends. South African rapper The Big Hash has firmly shut down claims that he has abandoned hip hop for amapiano, igniting a heated conversation among fans about artistic growth and the blurred lines between genres.
The rapper recently pushed back against accusations that he is turning his back on hip hop in favour of amapiano, just days ahead of the release of his highly anticipated collaborative album Love Is A Star alongside amapiano heavyweights Kabza De Small and Sly.
The conversation ignited when a supporter lamented the loss of the artist to the dominant yanos sound. “We lost The Big Hash to the Yanos coz we didn’t appreciate him,” the fan wrote, reflecting a common sentiment among some hip hop purists who feel the scene is haemorrhaging talent to the explosive piano genre.
The Big Hash responded with a detailed defence of his career path. “Nobody lost me,” he stated. “I been hustling in that space for 4 years straight to do what I’m doing now. Got 2 albums and a mixtape in that timeframe, all Rap/RNB. Mind you, my 1st piano song’s on one of those albums so this was bound to happen.” He added a rhetorical question: “What would you do if you could do it all?”
Criticism quickly intensified. One fan accused him of trend chasing. “NIGHA STFU YOU CHASING TRENDS. AFTER PIANO YOU GON JUMP TO SOME ELSE. THAT’S WHY WE DONT TAKE NIIGAS LIKE YOU SERIOUS WHEN IT COMES TO HIP HOP.” The commenter quoted fellow voice A-Reece, who had previously said, “NIGGAS COULDN’T RAP SO THEY FLED TO YANOS.”
Another supporter echoed the doubts. “He’s not lying, im telling you: this album won’t do nothing for your career. You’re chasing trends.”
Undeterred, The Big Hash pushed back against what he called a tiring narrative. “This narrative is tiring,” he wrote. He then posed a pointed hypothetical involving amapiano heavyweight Kabza De Small, who is preparing to sell out the iconic FNB Stadium. “You’re telling me if KABZA DE SMALL, as in the same Kabza De Small who’s about to sell out FNB Stadium, wants to make a whole album for YOU, you’re gonna tell him NO? La gafa kaofela shem,” he laughed.
The exchange highlights deeper tensions in South African music. Amapiano has become a global force, filling stadiums and reshaping the industry, while traditional hip hop artists sometimes face accusations of selling out when they incorporate its infectious log drum rhythms and soulful melodies. The Big Hash’s history of blending rap and R&B, including an early piano-infused track, suggests his latest moves represent a natural progression rather than a sudden pivot.
