Q&A with DJ Maphorisa

A king's view - CB Lamba sits down with one of Amapiano's biggest players

Few figures have led a sound to prominence like South Africa's DJ Maphorisa. A true pioneer of amapiano, his songs are infused with an infectious blend of deep house, jazz, and soulful vocals. Maphorisa's productions have not only dominated sound systems across South Africa, but have propelled the sound onto the global stage. From notable hits like "Abalele" and "Lorch" to his role in the duo Scorpion Kings alongside Kabza De Small, Maphorisa has been at the forefront of Amapiano's meteoric rise. Ahead of his Scorpion Kings tour with Piano People, we sat down with the DJ and producer to discuss his journey, the culture within amapiano, and what he’s excited to see in the space. 

How do you think the environment & people you were around impacted how you produce the music that you create?

Even though I come from the hood, I also come from a Christian background where my uncle played keyboard, my other uncle played drums, the other ones sing. So that’s where I started loving instruments. When I was young, I used to love drums. I thought I was gonna play drums when I grew up. Things switched and I fell in love with making drums with a computer with Fruity Loops. That’s what made it easier for me to do music. When I was young, I could sit with my uncle. He was studying classical music. So he was doing scoring & writing music, I was just looking. I was fascinated because he was doing it with the computer. It looked cool. So I feel like that's the thing really made me become this guy, watching that process. 

When did you realise that you were talented?

I was in high school. I remember the day that really changed my life, it was when my dad got me a computer, a PC, that day changed my life, because then I started behaving, not going out, you know, not being in the streets and stuff. So I was f**king it up that computer constantly, learning how to fix that helped me do other stuff. Back then, I was in the hood with a computer. So I was the coolest guy in the hood. Taxi drivers DJs and people who like to collect music came to me and get music from me. I started becoming cool through that, and then I started making beats. I think it was FruityLoops 3.4 It was a demo. So when you make a beat, you can’t save it. I come from that. Making beats I realised something I was good at around grade 10 when I got a deal actually, but it was a record label that isn't that big and stuff. For me though, it means something. It's like, oh, I got a deal. I can live a little, release music whilst I'm still in high school. That's where I realised that okay, I think this music thing might go somewhere.

What has working closely with Kabza taught you? 

Initially I didn't know piano was coming up, I was doing Afrobeat. With piano, I started checking it out, started going with kabza to his gigs and trying to understand the environment, the moves, everything, what's this thing? Oh it's people who really like alcohol, okay. There's people who drink a lot, some know how to dance. But amapiano is for almost everyone. Even if you don't know how to dance, you can still move. So I've been, taking information in, seeing what's happening. With me and Kabza I had the experience, but even as a new kid, he was popping so I'm saying this is Scorpion Kings, then this is Maphorisa, but you (Kabza) do your thing. With that, he really influenced the whole culture, to move that direction. Everyone wanted to do what he’s doing. And for me, it's like I showed him, now amapiano is really uncontrollable. We can really do anything and any new kid can pop up now. Anything can happen. It's not like we control the music and everyone is eating from it. 

Can you elaborate on your discovery of amapiano?

What's crazy is, when Wizkid came to South Africa, we used to party. We used to go wherever or he comes to support me when I play. So there was a time we went to a club in my hometown Pretoria, . They were playing amapiano but I didn't know that was amapiano. Then Wizkid went crazy like ‘bro what’s this sound’. He got goosebumps. I said bro I don't know, but I'll do some research. After a couple of days I find out the song that was playing was Calvin Fallo. You should check out Calvin Fallo, he's one of the originators of amapiano. We started collecting information now I was like, Oh, this sound imagine like a Nigerian guy put me on.

How does it feel to be a part of moments like Piano People’s 14,000 person show last November, and the upcoming Piano People in the Park where Scorpion Kings will be headlining?

I'm so grateful and humbled. The first one that we did as Scorpion Kings was in Printworks, before it closed. So it took almost 5.5 thousand. With this one, I think it takes 10,000 But I think our target is like 7000 or 8000. We’re nervous, we’re excited, it's gonna be the first time we're doing it as an outdoor event. So shoutout Piano People because we started this thing with them. I remember our first UK gig it was me and (Uncle) waffles. The first one just after lockdown when outside opened we did a sold out show. That's where I think everything just started, so shout out to Piano people for holding it down. They helped amapiano to really grow. So we're really excited about that and I can't wait.

What else do you have coming up in the summer?

July  27th we go to New York. Also with piano people, in New York. So I think that one is 5000 people. So we're also excited about that. It's our first time there you know. We’ve got releases coming, I have a label so I have artists and also kabza has artists. For example he has like, young Stunna, he’s got MDU aka TRP, he has Bongza, he has Masterpiece (TVK). On my side, I have Tyler ICU, I have Daliwonga, Felo Le tee, I have Myztro, I have Mas musiq. So, we're really growing, bro. South Africa is in a great space when it comes to entertainment.

Who are your top five upcoming African artists? 

There’s a few coming, bro, it's crazy. Xduppy is my boy, he's a dope producer. He's been doing crazy stuff. Then, Mellow & sleazy. They're not upcoming but they're on fire. They've been coming up with new waves. But, of the new kids that are doing it, it's Lee Mckrazy, Scotts Mapuma and Cowboii. There’s a lot though. These one's they're the ones now who are really popping. Also the T’shlawa boys (TitoM & Yuppe) and the women are doing their thing too, shoutout to KMat.

Article by CB Lamba

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