'What has government done for piano?' — Major League DJz call out sports, arts and culture department

13 July 2023 - 12:00
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The duo said the focus must be on getting the best support for the genre in South Africa.
The duo said the focus must be on getting the best support for the genre in South Africa.
Image: Instagram/MajorLegueDJz

While many are still debating American rapper Swae Lee's unverified origin of the amapiano genre, Major League DJz have steered the conversation away from other countries to how Mzansi — particularly the government — supports the genre.

Swae teased new amapiano music on his socials accompanied by the Nigerian flag. He was immediately put on blast with many people speaking up against what seemed to be a snub against Mzansi. The debate on whether amapiano started in South Africa or Nigeria has been going on for a while.

On their Twitter timeline, Major League DJz asked what support has been given to the amapiano genre.

“All said and done. We can fight all these guys all we want. But what is South Africa doing for [ama]piano to make sure [it] is taken to the world? What has government done for [ama]piano? This is our best export but what support have we given to the genre to make sure it touches all corners of the world? Let's fight and address the right issues to make sure the genre gets the best support possible,” read the post. 

Weighing in on the debate is music producer and DJ Prince Kaybee, who said people should not gatekeep the culture.

“We are not the originators of house music and the reason I’m successful is because of it. You cannot gatekeep culture or else it won’t grow. Without interpretation from someone outside what you have started there is no room for growth.

“Never has any South African DJ ... credited the originators of house music in Chicago when they drop music. They put the South African flag and say South Africa to the world. Let people explore however they want. If they don’t mention the originators it doesn’t matter, the culture is growing,” he wrote.

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