South African DJ and producer Maphorisa has said collaborations between artistes from South Africa and Nigeria helped create room for Amapiano to gain wider acceptance in Nigeria.
Speaking about the genre’s expansion beyond South Africa, Maphorisa pointed to the role of established Nigerian artistes in exposing local audiences to the sound.
He specifically referenced “Sponono”, a collaboration involving South African duo Kabza De Small and Nigerian stars Burna Boy and Wizkid.
According to Maphorisa, the collaboration was significant in introducing more Nigerian listeners to Amapiano and encouraging Nigerian artistes to experiment with the genre.
“So, doing that, I knew that we gave them a green light to do Amapiano,” he said.
The producer described “Sponono” as an important record in the cross-border growth of the sound, suggesting that collaborations between artistes from both countries helped Amapiano move beyond its South African roots.
Amapiano, which emerged in South Africa, has since become a major influence on contemporary African pop music, with Nigerian artistes increasingly incorporating elements of the genre into their productions.
Maphorisa also acknowledged the influence of Nigeria’s music industry on his own career and named several Nigerian music figures he admires, including Don Jazzy, D’banj, P-Square and Davido.
“Nigerians are very smart, and they are very aggressive,” he said.
His comments highlight the growing musical exchange between Nigeria and South Africa, where Amapiano and Afrobeats have increasingly influenced one another and contributed to the wider global reach of African music.
