By Tamlyn Canham
South Africa’s amapiano music continues to take the world by storm.
British singer Jorja Smith is the latest artist outside of Mzansi to take on the genre. Her latest single, ‘All of This’, features amapiano beats.
The song is produced by DJ Guilty Beatz – a Grammy-nominated producer.
Jorja told Revolt that the DJ introduced her to the genre.
“He’s shared Amapiano playlists with me before and then during the first lockdown in 2020, he sent me a version of the song like it is now. It’s all about someone who doesn’t deserve you and thinking wow, you really had all of my once, ew,” she said.
READ: Watch: SA’s Blue Ivy shows off amapiano dance moves
Mzansi reacts
Jorja’s song is getting a lot of attention in Mzansi. Many people said they loved her new song.
“The piano chords build up hit different! Vocals always on point,” one YouTube user wrote.
“Beautiful vocals + Amapiano = Certified banger,” another user wrote.
https://twitter.com/HarmattanRain/status/1423578633613058048
I love the way amapiano is growing now playing @JorjaSmith – all of this and the next song is @ed sheeran – Bad habits remix feat @kooldrink_ #amapianototheworld
— Jermaino (@JermainoWxna) August 6, 2021
But not everyone was impressed. Some Twitter users said Jorja should have used an amapiano producer to give the song some extra flavour.
Let's be honest. That Jorja Smith piano thingamabob is nowhere near as good as any number of amapiano
— Athena's Dad 🇨🇩🇿🇼🇵🇸🇸🇩🇾🇪🔻🔻🔻 (@claudius_jr) August 6, 2021
https://twitter.com/tammygaby/status/1423562808118153216
Dear @JorjaSmith, this is how Amapiano sounds like. https://t.co/2BwWhHgspz
— T S U K E ✨ (@JaySoSmiley) August 6, 2021
Amapiano to the world
Jorja is not the only international star sampling amapiano music. Ed Sheeran teamed up with Kooldrink for an amapiano remix of his song ‘Bad Habits’.
“This is the coolest and biggest opportunity i’ve ever had with my career. I vow to take Amapiano to the World. #ThankYou @EdSheeran fo
r the opportunity. I’m happy you love it too,” Kooldrink said about the collaboration. South Africans are thrilled that amapiano is getting the recognition it deserves.
“South Africans must gatekeep amapiano. They must be the ones getting recognition, getting opportunities and getting PAID for the genre,” one Twitter user wrote.
READ: WATCH: Cassper Nyovest teases amapiano track with Ne-Yo
https://twitter.com/foyin_og/status/1423454716965662724
Some tweeps did not agree.
Gqom was killed by that mentality, HipHop is from New York but everyone is doing it these days, this will grow Amapiano
— Siphiwe (@Siphiwe11530440) August 6, 2021
Main image credit: Instagram/jorjasmith_



