According to reports, there has been a heavy infiltration of the South African genre, amapiano into the Nigerian music industry in recent years.

In an interview with Apple Music, Rema admitted that amapiano is a great genre but maintained that Nigerian artists must sustain Afrobeats’ influence on the continent.

He noted that his recently released sophomore album, ‘HeIs,’ was heavily inspired by afrobeats legends like Don Jazzy and the Mo’hits crew, 2Baba, Olamide, P-Square and Timaya.

“I had to go back [while creating my new album]. I took a lot of inspiration from Mo’hits. When a Mo’hits song comes in for the first four seconds, you already know it’s a Mo’hits song. Don Jazzy just goes crazy on the beat,” he said.

“The times when Olamide used to drop crazy songs, he still drops crazy songs. At the time when an Olamide song comes on you still know. P-Square, 2Face or Timaya. There used to be times when the beat just…

“Amapiano is great, it is fire but there used to be a time when Afrobeats production used to be so insane that nothing could survive it in the clubs in Africa. I’m not saying we’ve lost that but I’m just saying that we need more of that. I don’t want us to go too far away from that. We need to sustain it.”

From South Africa to Nigeria, Ghana, and beyond, the hit single “Tshwala Bam,” by South African music producers TitoM and Yuppe, now has an accompanying music video, featuring vocalists SNE and EeQue.

The energetic South African amapiano song which has everyone moving their shoulders and waist and lightly stomping their feet to its irresistible beats has raked up over eleven million streams on Spotify since its release in mid-February.

The music video directed by Kmane, shot in Mamelodi, a vibrant township in Pretoria, Gauteng, South Africa, showcases lively and colourful scenes featuring people of all ages dancing joyfully.

Enjoy the video below:

With the insurgence of African music and it’s pop culture, this partnership will further facilitate the proliferation and blend of african sounds into western pop culture and beyond.
“We are very proud and very excited to have agreed on a long term working relationship with Ghanaian born and US-based producer artist NEKTUNEZ!

His infections productions combine Afrobeats with modern electronic elements, which make his music attractive to a global audience. We are looking forward to breaking the first African born producer artist on a global level.” said Wolfgang Boss, Executive President of A&R, Sony Music

“It’s always been a dream of mine to be associated with Sony and even better working with someone in Wolfgang, who worked with one of my musical idols, Kygo, on many of his releases. Looking forward to an exciting journey sharing my gift with the world.” said Nektunez.

Listen to the popular tune here

‘Body’ drops under the umbrella of Southern Africa’s fast-evolving Amapiano sound and is flush with Essilfie’s sweet vocals on a well-arranged DredW production.

The result is a thumping tune sure to put your body through its paces right in time for the festivities ahead.

As DredW stated earlier in the year, his desire to step outside his comfort zone and try new sounds is strong, and with yet another release from him now at our disposal, it is good to know this intention has not changed. Although this release also leans toward Amapiano, there’s no telling what other genres the mystery collaboration has in store for fans.

Nevertheless, DredW and Essilfie promise nothing but intoxicating vibes, with fans to get an official announcement soon. While you wait, stream ‘Body’ by DredW and Essilfie here: Body

Press Release//Elite PR