Amapiano is a vibrant South African music genre that gained mainstream popularity around mid-2012, blending diverse elements of kwaito, deep house, gqom, jazz, and soul. Characterized by distinctive piano melodies and a wide, percussive log drum bassline—a sound notably popularized by producers like MDU aka TRP—its name fittingly derives from the IsiZulu word for "pianos." While the genre's precise origins are debated across Johannesburg townships, MFR Souls are credited with coining the name, and artists like Kabza De Small and DJ Maphorisa are recognized as key pioneers. This highly adaptable sound has spawned various international fusion subgenres such as Afropiano and Bongopiano, cementing its status as a significant and evolving musical force across Africa and beyond.