'Kwa Piano' comic brings sound of the streets to the page

DJ, producer and radio personality Da Kruk is launching the Kwa Piano comic book, bringing the sound of the streets to the page.

Amapiano fans of the genre that's taken over dance floors and airwaves now have their own comic.

Kwa Piano Comics, a new weekly graphic series created by amapiano pioneer Kutloano “Da Kruk” Nhlapo, brings the genre’s street-level energy to life in illustrated form.

Launched this week, the comic dives deep into the fictionalised origin stories of amapiano’s biggest names, capturing the grit, grind and glory behind South Africa’s most influential sound.

From back rooms in Katlehong to festival stages around the globe, the series celebrates the rise of a genre that grew from taxi ranks and bootlegs into a cultural powerhouse.

Speaking to TshisaLIVE, Da Kruk said: “I created Kwa Piano Comics to preserve and reimagine the culture. Amapiano is more than music, it’s movement, mythology and memory. We’re documenting the genre’s energy through storytelling that young people can hold in their hands.”

Each issue blends colourful visual storytelling with real-life references including pivotal moments such as the formation of the Scorpion Kings, the birth of the log drum and the grind of bedroom producers hustling their way onto global playlists.

But it’s not just about nostalgia. Kwa Piano Comics also serves as a creative launchpad, introducing youth to careers in music, writing, design and technology. Da Kruk, known for championing amapiano from its earliest days on radio and in clubs, said the project is part of a larger effort to archive and elevate South African culture in ways that resonate with Gen Z.