Searching for the piano in amapiano

Ihave always prided myself in having an open mind and a keen ear when it comes to music. I have my favourites, but I’m able to appreciate music for music’s sake. And any effort to take a local sound and make it universal has always been met with the glee, awe and encouragement on my part.

From the haunting sounds of east African musicians, the spellbinding drumbeat of west Africa to temple-like chants of north Africa and the eclectic mix of sounds that filter down to the South, mine has always been an ear that has been welcoming to new sounds and experiences.

Even around the world, my appreciation of music has been informed by the fact that it is a way to connect cultures and people.

There is, however, one genre that leaves me with question marks, and I dare say, a yearning for the sound which it promises.

My insatiable longing for this particular sound has been a great source of frustration, impeding my appreciation of this local music style, which is taking the world by storm.

That genre is amapiano.

I’m told that there is a distinct sound that is the hallmark of most amapiano songs – and that is the piano. I’m yet to hear it.

Each time a song from this genre plays, I listen attentively for the piano to kick in. Those whose ear is more attuned to this sound and are well-versed in its nuance than me are able to pinpoint the exact moment the piano plays.

Generally speaking, I can identify the key features of popular sounds. I can tell a mbaqanga song with its recognisable guitar. I know the difference between kwaito and its later sub-genre gqom, which is laden with heavy drumbeats and repetitive chanting.

Hell, I can even tell the difference between motswako and other kinds of hip-hop. But for the life of me, I’m battling to identify the piano in the latest sub-genre of the kwaito-influenced sound that is amapiano.

With the holidays around the corner and with the genre playing on most radio stations, for me, it will be a time of listening attentively for the piano in amapiano.

When others bust a move, especially when the song reaches its climax, I will be listening attentively for the promised instrument.

I pray that as music radio stations count down to the song of the year on New Year’s Eve, my ear will be sharper and that by the time the clock strikes midnight, I would have discovered the piano in the amapiano track that will surely usher us into 2022.