First, Tim digs back into the South African crates with a mix of 1990s kwaito music, a genre of house records pitched down with big vocals on top.
Then, superstar DJ Maphorisa shows us the current state of South African dance music with a mix that blends Afro Tech and amapiano, looking back toward the style that made him a star and the sounds he wants to explore in the future.
SHORT: Tim Sweeney and DJ Maphorisa.
Interview Long Description: DJ Maphorisa discusses his relentless drive to innovate, moving seamlessly across genres like amapiano, gqom, and currently, afrotech. Maphorisa explains that he thrives on the “uncomfortable feeling” of experimenting with new sounds to avoid creative stagnation. A major highlight of the discussion is his upcoming Scorpion Kings concert at Johannesburg’s FNB Stadium, where he aims to fill 95,000 seats—a massive leap from their previous 50,000-attendee show. He humbly expresses gratitude for this hometown support while teasing a star-studded lineup of guest artists.
The conversation also delves into the technical nuances of globalizing regional genres. Maphorisa notes that amapiano’s slower 113 BPM makes it challenging to penetrate fast-paced European club scenes like Ibiza, contrasting it with the higher tempos of afrotech and the Nigerian preference for faster beats. He reflects on how genres like gqom can stagnate if they become too dark and fast without melodic progression. Finally, Maphorisa shares his fascinating hit-making process, using the track “Money Constant” with Wizkid as a prime example. He reveals that he tests exclusive beats live in clubs to gauge crowd reactions, sometimes waiting years and leveraging social media virality before finalizing a track, ensuring it is a guaranteed hit.