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‘Only One Song Goes Viral’: DJ Maphorisa Gets Real About Amapiano’s Cutthroat Industry
Behind the beats and bright lights, one of Amapiano’s biggest names is lifting the lid on just how brutal the genre has become.
When One Hit Isn’t Enough
DJ Maphorisa is no stranger to the top of the charts. As one half of Scorpion Kings and a key pioneer of Amapiano, he’s been instrumental in shaping a sound that’s taken over dance floors from Johannesburg to London. But in a recent Metro FM interview with Tbo Touch, the seasoned hitmaker offered a sobering take on what it now means to stay at the top.
“It’s tough now. It’s not easy. It’s not like before,” Maphorisa admitted, referring to the mounting pressure artists face in today’s hyper-competitive music scene.
Touch responded with concern: “If I’m an upcoming artist and I hear you say that, I’m going to give up. How is it tough, Phorry?”
Maphorisa didn’t flinch. “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 ten hot songs, not all of them will get the reception you expect.”
A New Kind of Pressure
It’s a shift many Amapiano artists are feeling. With social media driving what’s hot and what’s not, the window for success is shrinking. Where fans once consumed albums in full, now they’re cherry-picking singles, often overlooking the rest of an artist’s catalogue.
Maphorisa used his latest album, Ngomoya, as an example. “I dropped an album with 28 songs. But they only really like one.”
That reality stings, especially for artists pouring their time, energy, and emotions into full-length projects. For many, it’s no longer about making a good album; it’s about hoping that at least one track cuts through the noise.
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From Kasi to Global Charts
Amapiano’s journey is nothing short of extraordinary. Born in the townships of Gauteng in the early 2010s, the genre fused deep house, kwaito, and jazz influences into a sound that was distinctly local but wildly infectious.
Today, it’s a global force. South African artists are filling international venues, headlining festivals, and getting millions of streams across platforms. And names like DJ Maphorisa and Kabza De Small are leading the charge.
But with global attention comes industry shifts. The genre is no longer just a grassroots movement; it’s a high-stakes game where trends move fast, and the pressure to stay relevant can be crushing.
Scorpion Kings at Loftus
Despite the challenges, Maphorisa and Kabza are still holding it down. Their upcoming “Scorpion Kings Live with Friends” show at Loftus Versfeld Stadium on Friday, 29 August, is already generating hype, with fans expected to travel from across the country to witness the Amapiano kings in action.
The stadium-scale performance is a reminder of how far the genre has come. But behind the glitz lies an unspoken truth: staying on top is harder than ever.
More Than Just a Beat
For listeners who love the genre, Maphorisa’s candour is a reminder that success in Amapiano isn’t just about catchy hooks and viral dance challenges. It’s about endurance, smart timing, and knowing how to adapt in a space that’s constantly evolving.
In a scene that rewards speed and spectacle, there’s still a lot of heart behind the sound. But, as Maphorisa made clear, that heart now beats to a much faster rhythm.
Also read: Cardi B Defends Tyla Again: Why the Internet Won’t Let South Africa’s Star Breathe
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Source: IOL
Featured Image: KAYA 959
