South African DJ and producer Maphorisa has acknowledged the role played by Zimbabweans living in the United Kingdom in taking Amapiano music to a global audience. His remarks were made during a recent episode of the I Believe Podcast, which aired on Friday, 28 August 2026, and have since gained traction on social media platform X.

In the interview, Maphorisa reflected on the early days of Amapiano’s international growth, pointing to events organised by a group known as Piano People in London. He explained that the first audiences at these gatherings were made up largely of Zimbabweans, Nigerians, and South Africans based in the diaspora.

Maphorisa singled out the Zimbabwean community for particular praise, suggesting they were instrumental in building the genre’s fanbase on the ground in the UK before it became a worldwide phenomenon. He described the efforts of Piano People as a genuine grassroots movement that helped Amapiano find its footing abroad.

The clip sparked mixed reactions online. Some social media users welcomed the acknowledgement, while others felt Maphorisa could have been more direct in crediting specific communities. One user noted that the DJ appeared to avoid making an explicit statement, while another highlighted the contributions of Nigerians. A further comment drew attention to the irony that Zimbabweans have sometimes faced negative labels despite their cultural influence.

Amapiano, a house music subgenre that originated in South Africa, has become one of the most popular sounds across the globe in recent years, with artists and producers from various countries contributing to its rise.