‘It's not like before': DJ Maphorisa opens up about the changing Amapiano scene
Image: DJ Maphorisa/Facebook
Viral hits and sold-out shows have made Amapiano's glitz and glamour a social media staple.
Yet, beneath the surface, lies an intensely competitive world that few truly understand.
In a candid revelation, DJ Maphorisa has slightly pulled back the curtain on the industry, offering a raw and unfiltered look at the realities of the Amapiano scene.
During his recent interview with Metro FM's Tbo Touch, the music heavyweight opened up about how the dynamics in the industry have shifted dramatically over the past few years.
'It's tough now, it's not easy - it's not like before,' Maphorisa admitted.
Touch immediately responded, 'Wait, wait, wait. I'm getting a headache. If I'm an upcoming artist listening to this conversation and the biggest artist says it's tough, I'm going to give up. How is it tough, Phorry?'
Maphorisa didn't shy away. 'There's too much competition. People have short attention spans. They may love one song from you and stick with that for about six months. But if you release 10 hot songs, not all of them will get the reception you expect.'
He went on to explain how this shift affects the way artists release and market their music. The emotional and creative toll is significant when audiences only latch onto one hit from an entire album.
Using his latest project as an example, Maphorisa shared, 'I dropped an album called 'Ngomoya'. So far, I've released 28 songs, but they only really like one.'
Maphorisa's candour comes ahead of the highly anticipated 'Scorpion Kings Live with Friends' set to take place at Loftus Versfeld Stadium on Friday, August 29.
The event is expected to draw fans from across the country, underscoring the duo's status as Amapiano royalty.
Amapiano itself has experienced meteoric growth since emerging in the townships of Gauteng in the early 2010s. Initially an underground movement, it has since become a global phenomenon, dominating charts, festivals and playlists worldwide.
Artists like Maphorisa and Kabza De Small have played a central role in shaping the genre, blending deep house, jazz and kwaito to create a uniquely South African sound that resonates far beyond the country's borders.
Yet with its rise comes gatekeeping and challenges within the industry.
As Amapiano becomes more mainstream, the competition intensifies and staying relevant requires not just talent but strategic releases, collaborations and constant engagement with a fickle audience.
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