A new exciting musical trend is sweeping across the airwaves, combining the electrifying energy of Amapiano and the soulful vibes of Bongo music.
This fusion, known as “BongoPiano,” brings together the rhythms of South Africa’s Amapiano and the Tanzanian Bongo Flava style, creating a fresh and captivating sound.
In the world of music, unexpected collaborations often lead to new and captivating sounds.
Amapiano, with its catchy log drum beats, and Bongo’s soulful Swahili vibes blend together in this genre-blurring combination.
Bongo Flava is a fusion of different music influences like hip-hop, R&B, reggae, dancehall, and traditional Tanzanian rhythms.
The term “bongo” refers to Dar es Salaam, Tanzania’s largest city, where this genre originated.
Amapiano, on the other hand, emerged from South African townships, influenced by a subgenre of house music called diBacardi. It’s characterized by lively rhythms and choreographed dances.
In 2022, Amapiano’s popularity soared by nearly 286% in Tanzania and Kenya, according to Spotify data.
Tanzanian artistes have embraced BongoPiano, combining international sounds with local rhythms, resulting in a unique style.
This fusion has brought together two major music genres from East and South Africa.
The fusion’s origins are somewhat unclear, but Bongo artistes realized that East Africans love Amapiano beats, language barriers notwithstanding.
Tanzanian artistes continue to create hits by collaborating with South African artistes or staying true to their roots.
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Many Tanzanian artistes, such as Diamond Platnumz, Harmonize, Marioo, Nandy, Jux, Mbosso, and Zuchu, have embraced BongoPiano, crafting a new musical experience. Collaborations are vital in the music industry, introducing artistes to new fan bases.
Notably, collaborations with South African artistes have produced some of the biggest BongoPiano hits.
Some top BongoPiano collaboration tracks include Diamond Platnumz’s “IYO,” featuring Focalistic, Mapara A Jazz, & Ntosh Gazi; Jux’s “Nice (Kiss)” with Marioo, Pabi Cooper, and Tony Duardo; Mbosso’s “Moyo” with the late Costa Titch and Phantom Steeze; and Nandy and Sho Madjozi’s “Kunjani.”
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BongoPiano is an African thing
Kenyan artistes have also embraced Amapiano, infusing it into their music or collaborating with Amapiano artistes.
Artistes like Sauti Sol, Brandy Maina, Bey T, and Arrow Bwoy have embraced the trend.
The fusion is a two-way street, as South African artistes seek collaborations with East African artistes. For instance, the “Amapiano: East Meets South EP” brought together heavyweights from East Africa and South Africa. This exciting collaboration is reflected in tracks like “Naona Wivu” and “Aki Pesa Wewe.”
A Spotify playlist called “Sakata” showcases this rising sound, offering a blend of Amapiano beats and Bongo melodies. This collection serves as a dynamic backdrop for workouts and various activities, enhancing energy and motivation.
Stream the ‘Sakata’ playlist on Spotify below;
With Bongo’s deep lyrics harmonizing seamlessly with Amapiano’s infectious beats, this auditory experience transcends language and elevates East African music to new cross-genre heights.
Whether this fusion sparks a lasting trend of blending strong music genres remains to be seen; time will tell.
