Amapiano artists donate over a million rand to Mdu Aka TRP, credited creator of genre's signature log drum
DJ Maphorisa and Major League Djz led the drive to recognise the work of the genre figurehead
A number of amapiano artists have pledged money to genre figurehead Mdu Aka TRP, the producer credited as being behind the log drum sound that has become a mainstay of the genre,
In a bid to recognise the work of the producer in helping amapiano become the success that it is today, DJ Maphorisa encouraged the amapiano community to come together and send money to Mdu Aka TRP, writing on X (formerly Twitter): "Thank You Mdu Aka TRP for changing our lives with Dat LOG DRUM forever be grateful mfanaka."
Maphorisa added that both he and producer Kabza would send more than 100,000 rand (£4,337) each to Mdu Aka TRP as a means of thanking him for his contribution to the sound.
Another of the genre's key figures, Major League Djz, subsequently said they would also donate money to the producer, pledging $50,000 (£40,987, over 900,000 Rand), with other artists such as Musa Keys and Sam Deep later joining the drive to recognise the work of Mdu Aka TRP.
In an interview with Johannesburg station Kaya 959, Mdu Aka TRP said: “There’s no such thing as a King of Amapiano, no one can say: ‘Yeah, I own this sound. There are always guys who reinvent the genre and put out amazing work, but no one can call me that.”
Listen to his track, 'Jig Saw', below.
Revisit DJ Mag's 2022 feature on some of the most exciting producers from the amapiano scene here, and read our recent feature with Major League Djz here.
