From the streets of Johannesburg and Pretoria in South Africa, to studios in Lagos, radio shows in the UK and now clubs in Beijing, a catchy dance music sound has been stirring viral dance moves and bops while pleasing many ears. 

In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, amapiano, meaning "the pianos" in the Zulu and Xhosa languages, is now a rage across social media, music charts and dance floors. With much of its culture, characteristics and popularity incubated during lockdowns, the genre now dominates digital and broadcast playlists, where it has formed the soundtrack to countless TikTok dance challenges, stretched its influence to West Africa and the UK, and drawn people to dance floors everywhere. 

Driven by a dedication to amapiano culture and what it offers to music and dance lovers, a collective known as Amapiano Lifestyle Beijing have brought the vibrant sounds to China's capital through regular events. 

Titled Amapiano Night, the events bring the latest sounds from South Africa to Beijing through DJing. 

Nick Njiba, an organizer and a founder of the event series says it began with a desire to listen to the music he loves.

"We grew up with house and then amapiano… Amapiano did start in South Africa, and then began trending more and more. So, it was the right time for us to keep pushing the sound. We started the amapiano nights at the end of 2019, first at a club called Underground and then we moved to Mango." 

Mogakolodi James, who goes by MJ da DJ behind the decks, is a DJ with the collective and his journey with the genre began during the pandemic lockdowns.

"I was alone in my room during a lockdown. And I would have a live on Instagram and Facebook and DJ and people joined to watch. I made mixes and put them on Pyro (a music mix app) and I would share them in chat groups," said MJ.

Amapiano takes its name from the keyboard melodies used in the mix of the tracks. MJ says the key to amapiano is the "log drum", attributed to South African music producer Mduduzi "Mdu aka TRP" Mangena. The sound is a unique combination of a bassline, a kick and a keyboard melody.

"That is the key to amapiano. Then you can play around with and add other instruments and vocals… Amapiano is a mix of genres, it has elements of kwaito, deep house, jazz – so it is a mixture of different sounds. Within amapiano, there are subgenres, soul amapiano, deep amapiano, dance amapiano – choose your poison," he added.

As demand and appetite grew, MJ was able to get more DJ bookings and create more mixes.

"When I got my chance to DJ at a small bar called Aurora, I would play two or three Afrohouse songs, and then I played a little amapiano, introducing it slowly. When amapiano got bigger, we started this series of events… My mixes are up-to-date with music that is out. Amapiano producers in South Africa will maybe release 20 new songs a week. I always have to keep up. When I go to the club to DJ, people know my mixes." 

Newer to DJing and a protégé of MJ's is Thembi Mphuthi, or DJ Lady T, who believes that amapiano is growing in parts of China.

"There are a few female Chinese DJs who play amapiano in clubs elsewhere in China, such as in Shanghai and Hong Kong. They are trying to introduce amapiano to more people in China… I am South African. I follow up a lot on what happens back home… Social media has given amapiano a bridge to the world. This is how I was able to familiarize myself with amapiano," said Lady T.

"In South Africa right now, there are many more female DJs that are popping up. That encourages me to continue pushing, because in this entertainment industry, it is mostly men, especially in DJing. I see that in South Africa, people support women when it comes to DJing, for example DBN Gogo, Uncle Waffles and others. They are already at the top of their game. Women are at the heart of what drives culture. Women are very influential. Having female DJs will also push amapiano as a genre and a culture," she added.  

All the DJs agree that viral dance challenges will continue to grow amapiano, and Lady T highlighted the efforts of social media user and dance instructor ItsDanaDana in Guangzhou, who thrills viewers with her amapiano dance moves on WeChat channels, an example of how amapiano has transcended cultural and geographical boundaries.

"These dance moves are not rehearsed, most of these dance moves are from the streets… Social media is very influential, and it encouraged everyone to do TikTok dances. I think as South Africans, we have a culture of different dances. We have pantsula, skhothane and a variety of dances, and I think that's what makes us unique. I think it's a spiritual thing when you come up with a dance. Someone will post themselves doing a dance and then everyone is doing it… The dance moves and TikTok challenges pushes the music to last and travel," she said.