It can be intimidating to jump into a whole country’s musical output, especially a country as diverse as the rainbow nation of South Africa. But have no fear, Matthew Key, AKA DJ M-Point, who coproduced this week’s show is here to help.
Here’s your quick guide to the genres—and their subgenres—on this week’s program, "GC’s DJ Roadshow: From Kwaito to Amapiano.” Approach with caution—every YouTube video is a rabbit hole just waiting for you to fall right in to more and more music to love.
Kwaito
The proudly South African genre that fuses hip-hop, dancehall reggae house music, and township flavor.
New School, “Dlala Ka Yona”
Boom Shaka, “Thobela”
Kwai-Jazz
One of kwaito's earliest subgenres that combined kwaito and contemporary jazz.
Don Laka , “Mamelodi”
Sipho "Hotstix" Mabuse, “Jive Kwaito”
D'gong
The kwaito subgenre that focuses more on the dancehall reggae influences.
Admiral,“Ragga Gong”
Stich, “You Look So Nice”
Guz
The kwaito subgenre that was influenced by hardcore hip-hop.
TKZee, “Inzinja Zam”
Brown Dash, Kabelo and Mzekezeke, “Amasoja”
Gqom
The fast-paced Durban-born subgenre that became an offshoot of kwaito, combining it with Afro-house and techno.
Babes Wodumo, Mampintsha and Skillz, ”Elamont”
Distruction Boyz, Benny Maverick and Dladla Mshunqisi, “Omunye”
AmaPiano
The slower Pretoria-based subgenre that fuses kwaito with contemporary jazz and deep house music.
MFR Souls, The Squad, “Lelela”
Kabza De Small, Bucks, “Jwaleng”
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