Superman – DJ Stokie
I’ve been in love with the sax these past few months, and I think it’s now my favorite instrument. So it makes sense for me to start this list with a song that’s mostly driven by the saxophone and the guitar. I hope you like this one.”
Groove – Kelvin Momo
I am a huge fan of Kelvin Momo and I love the song you added. The title of the song reminded me of an underground artist ( I have a feeling it’s a ghost account for one of the biggest artists in Amapiano) The Groovist. If you don’t stand up and dance while listening to this song then I don’t know. It’s a song that really has a compelling beat, and the ad libs are superb in driving the song. Dlala wena is a direct translation of “play” but it really means dance. Hope you enjoy this one. You’re up!”
Dlala Wena – The Groovist
Was digging The Groovist track—total hypnotic beat. Followed up with a similar kind of feel from Vigro Deep. You’re up!”
Soundcheck – Vigro Deep
The production in Soundcheck is superb. It really feels like a Soundcheck. I enjoyed that one. Continuing in that groove, I’ve added Dropline.”
Dropline – Soa Mattrix
Dope! Will be selecting the next one.”
uMalume Wako (feat. DJ Stresser and Given Kau) – Uncle Waffles
I hadn’t realized how hypnotic the Amapiano vibe could be—I’m totally getting an education here. The playlist could be an excellent writing list—one where there aren’t too many lyrics so your language centers don’t get distracted. I’m totally digging it! You’re up, dude.”
Jig Saw – MDU aka TRP
Oh yes, I’m realizing you can actually be reading or studying while listening to this playlist. This one is more of a meditation beat. It has a slow buildup. Listening to it feels like playing chess.”
Africa Rise – Vigro Deep
I’m loving this working vibe to the list—super easy to drop into a writing groove. This could well end up in the writing collection. I see the gnarly percussive vibe of Jig Saw and am coming back at you with the drive of Vigro Deep—hell yes, brother!”
High Senses (feat. Kabza De Small) – Deeper Phil
Africa Rise is such a rich song. I love the touch it gives to the playlist. I decided to add High Senses as we go into a deeper Amapiano feel. This song has a deep, immersive instrumental that feels both introspective and expansive. Perfect for late-night sessions or moments of quiet reflection.”
BAKWA LAH – Major League Djz
Bakwa lah means ‘it’s baked here.’ They’re responding to people asking where the music is baked, and I love how it connects to how we ‘bake’ a lot of playlists here in the musicto community.”
John Wick – De Mthuda
Lolz—’baked’ can mean a few different things here—one involving interesting green plants. Love the John Wick track! We’re really hitting that vibe of good energy with an underlying trancy bass and groove. I went down an Uncle Waffles rabbit hole—Tanzania felt like it matched the groove!”
Tanzania (feat. Sino Msolo and Boibizza) – Uncle Waffles
Tanzania is such a high-energy song. I love the inclusion of shakers and deep kicks, not to mention the dynamic shifts. It forces you to be engaged.”
Chipi ke Chipi – Mellow & Sleazy
Chipi ke Chipi has multiple meanings, but the most popular is a compliment to a beautiful girl—directly translated to ‘A baddie is a baddie.’ I love how it feels like it has vocals but actually has none.”
Afro hot hot – Donmosjbat
I knew I had a track that was resonating. I was thinking of the more stripped-down approach—focusing on the percussion and groove rather than the more ‘Western’ melodic moves.”
Rekere 2 (feat. Stakev) – Kabza De Small
Dude—this list is turning out to be an exceptional focus list. The grooves from one track to the next are so solid and dialed in. Loving how Rekere 2 flows, and that breakdown at 4 ½ minutes—perfect place to rest and catch your breath.”
Big Flexa – Costa Titch
The Costa Titch song you added had me in a chokehold. You should see the dance in the music video—it’s a proper groove song.”
A-Z (Yashi Moto) (Instrumental) – Vigro Deep
This is an instrumental for a really popular song here. I’m a huge fan of its production and arrangement.”
Ta Sai – Sweet 6Teen
I’m loving our list. I went down a rabbit hole and came up with this track from Sweet 6Teen—thinking it fits the groove pretty well. I’m digging how loose the key solo is.”
In My Jazz Era (feat. Skipper Tshabalala) – Bandros
Glad you’re through the worst of the flu, Andrew. Loving your pick with Sweet 6Teen. That loose key solo is smooth! It got me thinking about groove-heavy tracks, so the next addition is In My Jazz Era. It’s got that same laid-back, head-down vibe, but with a touch of jazz.”
Jazz 2 – Mfr Souls
Loving the whole vibe of this list—it’s definitely getting a feature in the writing collection. Love the groove of In My Jazz Era—just super chilled and sophisticated too. Had me going down rabbit holes, but Jazz 2 just felt like the perfect pick to follow.”
La Música – Daano
For the final track, I’m adding La Música by Daano. It’s the perfect closer—upbeat yet classy, tying the whole collection together beautifully.”
iPiano (feat. Felo Le Tee) – Sha Sha
Dude! The piano in La Música is so dope—the perfect penultimate track. I wanted to finish the list by pulling the listener out of the trance a bit—letting them know we’re at the end and pumping a little energy into them as they change gears. Of course, the Amapiano groove is still there, but I’m pulling them out of working and into the party that is life.”
Track Listing
- Superman – DJ Stokie
- Groove – Kelvin Momo
- Dlala Wena – The Groovist
- Soundcheck – Vigro Deep
- Dropline – Soa Mattrix
- uMalume Wako (feat. DJ Stresser and Given Kau) – Uncle Waffles
- Jig Saw – MDU aka TRP
- Africa Rise – Vigro Deep
- High Senses (feat. Kabza De Small) – Deeper Phil
- BAKWA LAH – Major League Djz
- John Wick – De Mthuda
- Tanzania (feat. Sino Msolo and Boibizza) – Uncle Waffles
- Chipi ke Chipi – Mellow & Sleazy
- Afro hot hot – Donmosjbat
- Rekere 2 (feat. Stakev) – Kabza De Small
- Big Flexa – Costa Titch
- A-Z (Yashi Moto) (Instrumental) – Vigro Deep
- Ta Sai – Sweet 6Teen
- In My Jazz Era (feat. Skipper Tshabalala) – Bandros
- Jazz 2 – Mfr Souls
- La Música – Daano
- iPiano (feat. Felo Le Tee) – Sha Sha
Playlist image GPT4o
About the Curators
Andrew McCluskey
The first visual memory I have is that of the white upright piano in Singapore, Hell and the Dark Forces lived at the bottom, Heaven and the Angels at the top, they would play battles through my fingers and I was hooked.
As a psychology graduate I studied how sound affects human performance.
As a musician I compose instrumental music that stimulates your brain but doesn't mess with your language centers, leaving you free to write creatively without distraction.
As a curator I research how music can improve your life and create flow - I can tell you what music to listen to when studying for a test and why listening to sad music can make you feel better.
As a creator / contributor at musicto I believe that music can make the world better.
What I'm doing now
