Their remarks attracted a flurry of responses from fans who feel that the previously close-knit amapiano community is now facing factionalism similar to that in other music genres.
One user on X pointed out that gatekeeping poses a significant challenge and mentioned that personal connections in the industry often dictate opportunities.
“Piano has Gatekeepers unfortunately, if you don’t get along with Phori it’s chaai for you, not even on the musical aspect of things but even on the business, you might struggle to get gigs,” the user claimed, referring to DJ Maphorisa.
Major League DJz quickly clarified that their comments were not aimed at any specific individual, stating, “This has nothing to do with Phori. It’s in general.”
Others redirected the discussion toward the overall composition of the genre, noting that amapiano lacks prominent artists who can propel it onto the global stage in the same way Afrobeats has achieved.
“The problem with Amapiano is that there’s no stars. There’s no vocalists to carry the genre like how afrobeats has Tems, Burna Boy, Asake etc…” another user mentioned, citing Tems, Burna Boy, and Asake as noteworthy examples.
Some fans feel that clashes between personalities are also hindering the growth of the sound.
“The egos and arrogance are killing the game,” one user remarked.
This ongoing dialogue reveals the increasing concern among fans regarding the future of amapiano, a genre that has made a significant impact on charts and dance floors both locally and worldwide in recent years.
As the genre continues to develop musically, discussions around unity, leadership, and long-term viability have entered the forefront.
