10 SA Rappers Who Have Released Amapiano Songs

Amapiano has taken the music scene by storm. It’s not just house DJs and producers who are exploring this sound—hip-hop artists are also making their mark. Here’s a look at ten South African rappers who have ventured into the Amapiano scene, creating some memorable tracks.

1. Cassper Nyovest

Cassper Nyovest, one of South Africa’s most successful rappers, has been known to dabble in various genres, including Amapiano. His tracks like “Siyathandana” and “Ama Number Ayi ’10” showcase his versatility and ability to blend Amapiano’s distinctive log drum with catchy lyrical flows, contributing significantly to the crossover appeal of the genre.

2. Focalistic

Dubbed the ‘President of Amapiano’, Focalistic has seamlessly merged hip-hop with Amapiano, creating a unique style that has earned international recognition. His hit song “Ke Star,” which later featured Nigerian afrobeats artist Davido in the remix, has become an anthem, highlighting his smooth transition from rap to a more local South African sound.

3. Reason aka Sizwe Alakine

Reason, known for his sharp lyricism in the hip-hop community, embraced Amapiano with his rebrand as Sizwe Alakine. Under this alias, he released the Amapiano hit “Khanda Shisa,” which proved his adaptability and creative prowess in blending rap with local rhythms and beats.

4. Riky Rick

The late Riky Rick was a celebrated figure in SA hip-hop, known for his style and musical versatility. His involvement in Amapiano included collaborations with leading artists in the genre, where his smooth flows complemented the upbeat Amapiano beats, leaving a lasting impact on the genre’s evolution.

5. Costa Titch

Costa Titch has brought a dynamic energy to every track he’s part of, and his Amapiano works are no exception. His ability to fuse energetic dance moves with catchy Amapiano beats has made tracks like “Areyeng” huge hits in clubs across South Africa.

6. Da LES

Da LES has always been a trendsetter in the South African hip-hop scene. His jump into Amapiano includes teaming up with other artists to explore how his laid-back style meshes with the groovy beats of Amapiano, showing his versatility and willingness to experiment. His notable Amapiano song is Elon Musk.

7. Tshego

Known for his melodic approach to music, Tshego’s venture into Amapiano has allowed him to integrate his silky vocals with lush, rhythmic beats, creating a smooth blend that appeals to both R&B and Amapiano fans. His most popular Amapiano song is No Ties.

8. Blxckie

Blxckie, one of the new generation rappers, has shown no hesitation in embracing various sounds. His foray into Amapiano with tracks like “Kwenzekile” showcases his adaptability and how the younger generation of SA rappers is continuing to push musical boundaries.

9. Khuli Chana

A veteran in the SA hip-hop scene, Khuli Chana has dipped his toes into Amapiano, blending his Motswako roots with the new age beats of Amapiano, which adds a traditional yet contemporary feel to his music, demonstrating the genre’s flexibility. His most popular Amapiano songs as Khuli Yano and Buyile.

10. Boity and Gigi Lamayne

Both Boity and Gigi Lamayne, prominent female rappers in the industry, have explored Amapiano, using their strong lyrical abilities to make significant inroads into the genre.

These artists exemplify how the South African music landscape is inherently dynamic, with genres constantly influencing one another. Their forays into Amapiano not only help the genre grow and evolve but also show the fluid nature of music genres, reshaping what it means to be a hip-hop artist in today’s musical era.