Amapiano fatigue? DJ Speedsta's controversial take sparks heated debate with 'Piano Pulse' co-host

DJ Speedsta recently sparked controversy by claiming that people are getting tired of Amapiano music, stating, “I think people are tired of piano”. 

This statement has ignited a debate among fans of Amapiano and local hip hop, with many questioning whether Amapiano's popularity is indeed waning.

Amapiano has dominated South Africa’s music scene for years. The genre has managed to take over the music charts, which put genres like Hip Hop in the shadows for a while.

Local hip hop was once a dominant genre in Mzansi, and it reigned for a good run until Amapiano slowly crept in, taking the music industry to new heights, reaching the international mainstream and garnering fans from across the globe.

In a podcast interview with Basick Boyz, the “Mayo” hitmaker revealed his thoughts on the genre and believes that a shift is happening, citing that people are fatigued by the genre.

“I think people are tired of Piano,” he said. “And I say this with the utmost respect to what they’re doing and their move. But I think people are just tired of piano,” he said.

He hints that other genres, especially hip hop, are gaining renewed interest, despite a strained relationship between the genres in the past. 

He acknowledged Amapiano’s significant cultural impact but suggested that its repetition might be pushing listeners to explore other options. 

He pointed to events like “Kunye”, “Strictly Soul”, and his own event, “Hip Hop Floor” as examples of alternative spaces gaining popularity because they offer different genres other than Amapiano.

“Let’s go to 'Kunye', let’s go to 'Strictly Soul', let’s go to the 'Hip Hop Floor',” he said. “People have, like, you know what, let’s actually go to places where we have something different. Because everywhere you go, you hear Piano.”

The conversation around Amapiano’s staying power has been ongoing. Recently, rapper Nadia Nakai expressed concerns about the rapid turnover of Amapiano artists, stating that “a lot of the Amapiano artists are churned out too quickly.”

She highlighted the struggle for fans to attach themselves to artists who may vanish after a single hit.

Thakgi Ledwaba, co-host of the controversial “Piano Pulse” podcast, came in guns blazing to defend the honour of Amapiano and responded to the criticism, taking aim at both Nakai and Speedsta. 

In a recent Instagram post, Thakgi said: “@nadianakai had to mention PIANO for her name to be in conversation. Now @speedstabro is doing the same thing. You guys had the country on a chokehold with hip hop. 

“Why is it so difficult for you guys to let others have their shine? I believe hip hop would be in a better position if you guys actually dropped music and were innovative, since we’re a diverse country.

"Nadia, I’d like to think you learnt too many things from both Cassper and AKA, if not for you, do it for them. We don’t wanna start thinking you missed class.”

Ledwaba did not stop there, addressing DJ Speedsta directly and saying: “@speedstabro I heard your set at Cosmopolitan, super dope, but you barely played new hip hop. 

“Do you have new hits in your USB that can shake the crowd like PIANO does? People are tired of the same hip hop sets and definitely not PIANO.”

Over the years, there has been an online debate about the two genres, fans have complained of hearing the same Hip Hop songs every time they went out to clubs. Now they have come out to defend Amapiano’s integrity claiming the genre is not going anywhere.

X user @StarBoiKhazi commented: “Hate to break it to him, but piano isn’t going anywhere. It's here to stay.”

In April, Amapiano heavyweight Kelvin Momo was revealed as the headliner for the Red Bull Symphonic with Adam Howard and the Egoli Symphonic Orchestra. The tickets for the two shows, which are set to take place on June 6 and June 7, sold out in minutes.

Another show was added for Sunday, June 8, and when the tickets went live, the website crashed due to the number of people who were in line to secure the tickets.

One X user referred to this situation to emphasise how much fans love the genre.

“Are we going to sit here and pretend that Kelvin Momo tickets didn’t crash a ticketing company’s entire website just a few weeks ago? Or that SA streaming charts are packed with piano songs because that’s just what people listen to? Bro, just make bangers or sit this one out,” said @OluwaMake_.

“I hear him, but that same Piano he claims folks are tired of is gonna sell out an entire 50K capacity stadium in August… So who’s really tired of Amapiano here,” asked @carryonmrkash.

The X user is referring to the upcoming event “Scorpion Kings Live with Friends” hosted by Amapiano duo Kabza De Small and DJ Maphorisa, set to take place at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria.

The event is aimed at celebrating Amapiano’s journey, from its township roots to global recognition.