One of the early pioneers of Amapiano, DJ Maphorisa, has sparked controversy by encouraging Nigerian producers to lower the beats per minute (BPM) in their Amapiano tracks.

Maphorisa, a prominent figure in the genre, expressed his opinion during a recent Instagram live session, emphasizing that he believes the slower tempo is essential to preserving the authentic Amapiano sound.

Please…. play amapiano softer… you can’t be playing amapiano at 120 BPM” he explained. “They’ll be playing amapiano like they’re playing hip hop… play it at 113, 114, 115 BPM.

As Amapiano continues to gain traction across Africa and beyond, diverse interpretations have arisen, including some Nigerian producers opting for faster tempos. Maphorisa’s remarks serve as a gentle reminder, urging them to remain aligned with the genre’s original essence.

Click to watch the clip bellow