Oskido does not believe an African artist must sound like an American artist
Oskido, whose real name is Oscar Sibonginkosi Mdlongwa is a South African recording artist, DJ, record producer and businessman.
He shares his experience working in the music industry. He said his role in this life is to uplift other people.
Did he ever think Amapiano would be this big? Mannie asked
"Kwaito is the foundation of Amapiano. It is now done by the young generation but when you go back and listen to the sound, it is the sound of Kwaito."
Amapiano represents Kwaito when you look at the slow tempo, mid-tempo, grooves, said Oskido.
Originating in the black townships of South Africa in the mid-1990s, Kwaito music fuses hip-hop, house music, reggae, and melodic African rhythms. Although Kwaito has been labeled by many as African hip-hop, others say it's an original African genre and not a mere clone of American rap music.
"The lyrics are the same," Oskido goes on, "but the good thing is 25 years later, the young generation build on it. That's the foundation and it's always good that we find our identity."
Oskido is not among those who believe an African artist must sound like an American artist to gain support.
"You must always say this is ours, don't say we are doing this music, but now you sound like Mariah Carey. Or it should not get a sound that's not authentic.
"Amapiano is authentic, it's created by Africans. You're not going to hear it like a Drake track," he concluded.
