Amapiano or hip-hop? South Africa decides 2019’s best music genre

Is hip-hop better than Amapiano, a local genre featuring elements of house music and piano instrumentals? Well, South Africans have taken to Twitter to decide.

The debate broke out after Twitter user Mr Romantic posed the question to his followers on Friday morning.

“Each genre gave us hits after hits this entire year. Whether you’re a fan or not, you can’t deny the power each one holds on the dance floors,” his tweet read.

Each genre gave us hits after hits this entire year 🔥

Whether you’re a fan or not, you can’t deny the power each one holds on the dance floors 💃🏾

Which is your favourite genre and why? 👀

Share using #HipHopVsAmapiano pic.twitter.com/jtfXmaY2BI

— Mr Romantic (@rapelang_tlou) December 6, 2019

The question sparked a small online war between South African music lovers, who were quick to defend their favourite genre.

#HipHopVsAmapiano
AmaPiano all day everyday ba gore hiphop must leave our country and go to America 🇿🇦 pic.twitter.com/RWs4O850xW

— BecksLong😎🥤 (@beckzynho) December 6, 2019

#HipHopVsAmapiano
#
Hip-hop is the Godfather of all music and AMAPIANO is a new born child learning to walk, that’s why it is making a lot of noise and has everyone’s attention pic.twitter.com/QAdbFPaSNn

— 744_one (@GANG_GANG7441) December 6, 2019

Hip hop is a wife. Mapiano is a side chick. I enjoy being with the side chick because she goes an extra mile to make me happy. At the end of the day, I go back to my wife. #HiphopVsAmapiano pic.twitter.com/Ti9nMHJBBH

— Lesego Maake (@LesegoWaMaake) December 6, 2019

#HipHopVsAmapiano

Amapiano for the weekend, I’ll skrrr skrrr during the week pic.twitter.com/YQ9XqOuRf3

— Timmy👦 (@TiimDaSituation) December 6, 2019

While many stood by their preferences, some claimed that the two genres were “incomparable”.

Why ate we even comparing the 2? #HipHopVsAmapiano pic.twitter.com/UYLaTXb8jR

— Strawberries🍓&Cream🍦 (@SanaKerin) December 6, 2019

#HipHopVsAmapiano these two are incomparable, let’s just keep it between amapiano and Gqom please… I’m all for amapiano but let’s not get carried away pic.twitter.com/tQSOEhmJ3c

— UZikode uMakhanda (@Innosile1) December 6, 2019

#HipHopVsAmapiano DO THE TWO GENRES EVEN WARRANT SUCH…I SEE NO COMPARISON SINCE BOTH IN MY OPINION WILL FOREVER BE IN DIFFERENT WAVELENGTHS

HAPPY FRINGAS pic.twitter.com/iTxV7qkmDm

— MACALA (@squishypantz) December 6, 2019

What is Amapiano?

Amapiano has become one of the fastest growing genres in South Africa in 2019, and streaming services have recognised its potential.

The likes of Spotify and Apple Music have created curated playlists documenting the genre’s Soundcloud Rap-like beginnings.

“Developed by bedroom producers with limited resources, the music spread from phone to phone faster than anyone expected,” Spotify wrote on a blog post in October.

The Scandinavian streaming service also noted that Kabza Da Small, a prominent Amapiano artist, was the most streamed local act in South Africa in 2019, eclipsing the likes of DJ Maphorisa, and hip-hop artist Nasty C.

It’s not clear if Amapiano will continue its rise in 2020, but at least we can all enjoy it while it’s here.

Feature image: screenshot, Twitter