DJ Maphorisa Shares How Wizkid Inspired His Embrace of Amapiano

Wizkid’s Enthusiasm Fueled DJ Maphorisa’s Amapiano Journey

In a recent interview with BBC News Africa, South African music star DJ Maphorisa revealed the story behind his transition into the Amapiano genre, crediting Nigerian artist Wizkid for sparking his interest in the sound.

DJ Maphorisa is one of South Africa's biggest players in the Amapiano scene, as a producer, DJ, musician and label owner.

Here he breaks down to DJ Edu which Afrobeats star got him into the then underground scene and how's he helped make the music go global. pic.twitter.com/tOdaIuTzPK

— BBC News Africa (@BBCAfrica) January 12, 2025

At the time, DJ Maphorisa had just left Kalawa Jazmee, a label where he had gained significant experience, exploring various genres like Afrobeats and Afrohouse. His journey into Amapiano began during a visit by Wizkid to South Africa. The two artists traveled to Pretoria, where Phori performed a set, after which a local DJ took over, playing Amapiano tracks.

Phori noticed how much Wizkid enjoyed the music, with the Nigerian superstar even asking questions about the sound. Inspired by Wizkid’s enthusiasm and curiosity, DJ Maphorisa decided to explore Amapiano further, which led to his deep involvement in the genre.

Today, DJ Maphorisa is regarded as one of the leading figures in Amapiano and has been instrumental in introducing the once-underground genre to a global audience. His journey has not only marked a significant chapter in his career but has also contributed to the worldwide rise of Amapiano music.