Barcadi, the Amapiano Sub-genre On the Rise
Official Newsletter for the Global Awards Ceremony for Amapiano
You’ve probably seen the viral dance challenge to Tyla’s global hit “Water”— I mean, it had the whole world dancing and literally kept us all on our toes!
The Barcadi dance as it is affectionately known in South Africa draws inspiration from past traditional Mapouka elements, characterised by rhythmic hip and pelvic movements. It seamlessly blends these dynamic, expressive motions with modern South African beats, creating a unique style that celebrates both cultural heritage and contemporary music deeply rooted in Africa.
The dance has its origins emanating from the dusty townships of Pretoria and can be traced back to the early 2010s and has evolved significantly over the years to become what it is today.
But why is this dance so noteworthy? It’s the signature move of the sub-genre of Amapiano called Barcadi, which is currently experiencing a commercial rise. Interestingly, Barcadi as a genre existed before Amapiano, with pioneers like DJ Mujava, DJ Spooko, Casablanca, House Nation, Mzo Bullet, and Bojo Mujo introducing it as far back as 2006, when it was an emerging sound with no specific signature dances attached to it.
Fast forward to today and we have a new-age Barcadi sound that has evolved into two distinct styles: a slower version dominated by Amapiano acts such as Mellow & Sleazy, Ch’cco, and Focalistic — who incidentally cites Mujava as an influence — and a faster-paced version led by the likes of the late Vusi MaR5, Enny Man Da Guitar, Jelly Babie, and Koki The Mic. This faster version is the sound that the Tyla “Water” viral dance draws inspiration from.
A quick search on TikTok will reveal mostly young teenagers of school-going age participating in challenges using the audio of the sound. However, Tyla’s adaptation of the dance has led to a broader global discovery of this fascinating phenomenon.
The sound’s popularity has grown so rapidly that Spotify has launched its first editorial playlist dedicated to it, aptly named “Barcadi Funkshin.”
As the genre continues to expand worldwide, we predict that by the end of 2024, this Amapiano sub-genre will achieve substantial commercial chart success. What are your thoughts on Barcadi? Comment below and join the conversation!
Warm Regards,
The Amapiano Awards Team