Nigerian singer, songwriter and performer, Ikponmwosa Alex Idehen, also known as Gerian believes the new Amapiano sound can take over Afrobeats.
Gerian whose Gambian Wolof culture influences his Afro-Pop genre of music with a blend of Afrobeat & Dancehall said the Amapiano style of music is catching up fast to be the sound of Africa ahead of Afrobeats.
“Yes, Amapiano can take over Afrobeats. It’s a different kind of style of House music that emerged in South Africa in 2012. It is a hybrid of deep House, Jazz and Lounge music characterized by synths, airy pads and wide percussive basslines,” he explained when asked if Amapiano could supplant Afrobeats on the continent.
However, Gerian is not fooled by the buzz being created by Amapiano currently on the continent and the world at large as he recognizes the fact that it is the Afrobeat stars of Nigeria that are leading the African music charge to the world.
Asked to list African music artists present doing good music. He was unequivocal in his response. And it wasn’t Amapiano stars that came tumbling out of the Gambia-based rising star.
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“Artistes like Wizkid, Davido, Burna Boy, Yemi Alade and Kizz Daniel are doing good music. There are others too but these are the names that come to mind now. But Youssou n’dour is my Africa’s number one. His style of music is very inspiring. It blends Wolof traditional instrumental and vocal forms primarily with Cuban and other Latin American popular genres,” he stated.
He spent his early life in the beautiful city of Benin, Edo State, where he, later on, moved to Gambia to further his education.
He has two songs that are available on all streaming platforms titled “Matter” and “Abena” trending on TikTok.
Gerian has been doing music for several years but his very first professional effort took shape during the #EndSars protest that shook Nigeria in 2020.
Amapiano is a style of house music that emerged in South Africa in 2012. Amapiano is a hybrid of deep house, jazz and lounge music characterized by synths, airy pads and wide percussive basslines.