This genre has become the soundtrack to my life. When I’m happy, I play a Piano song – when celebrating a milestone, I play a Piano song. This sound moves the young and the old alike. I attended a wedding a few weeks ago, and guess which songs were mostly on the play list? Amapiano songs!

I had the honour of interviewing some of South Africa’s biggest acts to chat to them about the sound, their outfits on the red carpet and who some of their favourite Amapiano acts were.

While chatting to Zodwa Wabantu on the red carpet, she said Kamo Mphela, Young Stunna and the Scorpion Kings are some of her favourite acts in the genre.

The legendary DJ Tira was also in attendance, and he touched on what the sound has done for artists, their families and inspired the muscle of collaboration.

Some of the big winners of the night included Kamo Mphela who walked away with the Best Amapiano Dance Act. The Best Female Act went to the talented Lady Du; and The Amapiano Song of the Year was Umsebenzi Wethu which is one of the genres most streamed songs.

Another artist who won big at the awards, was the talented Boohle who walked away with the Best Amapiano Newcomer & Vocalist Award. If you’re wondering what the Most Viral Amapiano song of 2021 was, it’s DBN Gogo’s with Khuza Gogo.

It was an honour to attend the first South African Amapiano Awards and hope that the awards will continue to grow each year and award excellence in the genre.

The awards will play on SABC 1 later in the month of November, so do check them out and let TG2K know who were your best and worst dressed.