AMAPIANO NL
What Is Amapiano?
Since the pandemic, I've been documenting the rise of Amapiano in the Netherlands, working with Amapiano NL, one of the pioneering organisations dedicated to the South African music movement. Led by DJ and event organiser Austin J, Amapiano NL helped introduce the genre to Dutch dance floors.
But how much do Dutch audiences actually know about the music they're dancing to?
We took to the streets with one simple question: "Do you know what Amapiano is?"
Why This Story?
As a filmmaker and passionate follower of African music, I've always been fascinated by how music crosses borders, takes on new meanings, and is understood in cultures far removed from its origins.
During the pandemic, Amapiano experienced an extraordinary global rise. While the world stood still, this South African sound was travelling across continents, reaching new audiences and bringing people together.
I filmed a sunset rooftop set with DJ Austin J, capturing an early moment in the Dutch Amapiano scene.
But as the music gained popularity, I became increasingly curious: What happens to the cultural meaning of music when it travels? And how much of its original story reaches the people dancing to it?
Events & Aftermovies
A glimpse into the emerging Amapiano scene in the Netherlands.
What's Next?
Over the years, I have collected a substantial archive of footage documenting the development of the Amapiano scene in the Netherlands.
This material offers the foundation for a larger documentary exploring how a South African sound found its way into Dutch nightlife, and the people who helped shape the movement.
I am particularly interested in the relationship between enjoying music and understanding the culture behind it.
MORE TO COME