DJ Maphorisa Addresses Nigerians ‘Stealing’ Amapiano Claims on Oskido's 'I Believe Podcast'
- DJ Maphorisa addressed the long-running debate about Nigerians allegedly stealing Amapiano's sound during Chapter 9 of the I Believe Podcast
- The producer credited collaborations like Sponono with Davido as proof that SA artists opened doors for Nigerian musicians
- Oskido, who hosted the podcast, agreed with Maphorisa's take, pointing to Nigerian artists' aggressive approach as something SA can learn from
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Source: Instagram
DJ Maphorisa has weighed in on one of the most contested debates in African music, declaring that South African artists essentially handed Nigerian musicians an entry point into the Amapiano movement — and that the so-called "war" between the two music industries is a dead conversation.
The producer spoke candidly during Chapter 9 of the I Believe Podcast, hosted by veteran producer Oskido, that premiered on Friday, 28 August 2026. Shot in an indoor studio setting backed by shelved vinyl records, the episode featured on-screen captions including a bold "War between SA & Nigeria" title overlay alongside cutaway images of Kanye West and Davido.
DJ Maphorisa addresses claims Nigeria stole Amapiano
Maphorisa argued that South African artists share responsibility for the Nigerian influence on Amapiano, pointing to collaborative records as the moment things shifted.
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"We gave them a go-ahead," he said.
He explained that South Africans invited Nigerian artists in through partnerships, with the hit record Sponono still sitting in the global top 100 charts as proof of that shared success.
"Sponono is still the biggest, still on the top charts, top 100 even now," he said, noting that the song gave Nigerian artists influence and momentum within the genre.
He credited Nigerian musicians' discipline and hunger as something worth studying rather than resenting.
"With Nigerians, they're very smart, you know, and then they're very aggressive," Maphorisa said.
He added that he personally drew inspiration from how they operate — comparing their cultural consistency to the way Chinese and Indian restaurateurs maintain their identity regardless of where they set up shop.
Maphorisa was unambiguous about where he stands on the theft narrative.
"That conversation is dead. There's nothing like that," he said, urging South Africans to shift their energy away from gatekeeping and towards learning from Nigeria's collective hustle.
He also referenced Kanye West's influence as part of the same creative lineage that shaped his own thinking.
"Seeing Kanye West, the video, the bunch, it's like, eh," he said, reflecting on how outsider inspiration has always been part of his creative blueprint.
Mzansi reacts to DJ Maphorisa's take
The clip stirred up a mixed response online, with listeners split between agreeing with the sentiment and raising concerns about how SA artists treat one another closer to home.
@Sneakerchef_05 questioned whether the respect is mutual:
"True, but are they giving us the same credit we give them because our music industry and culture is very much influential on the global stage as well...do they sit and be like we got the source from South African producers and artists, or it's always about them."
@Mtho2ko shifted the focus inward:
"It's good to partner with Nigerian artists for obvious reasons, fine. But why do SA artists sabotage newcomers, why shut them down? I've seen artists disappearing immediately after signing record labels. To be honest, SA music is full of selfish gatekeepers."
@shenengu82971 had a lighter take before agreeing with the substance:
"Why is Phori wearing maDIMMERS inside mara? Is he allergic to direct eye contact? Anyway, what he is saying makes sense. Nigerian artists have a huge fan base across the world. It is important to tap into how they move."
@Rhymes_by_wonda kept it simple:
"Nigeria got the numbers, and they support each other in a circle ⭕️"
@JusFun_O called it:
"Very informative 🌻"
Watch the video below:
Davido blasts DJ Maphorisa for giving Wizkid and Burna Boy credit
In an earlier report, Briefly News reported that Nigerian artist Davido criticised DJ Maphorisa for not wanting to share the limelight when it comes to dominating in Amapiano.
In the 2022 article, the publication reported that DJ Maphorisa and Davido had a heated Twitter exchange as peeps tried to hash out who put amapiano on the map internationally.
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Source: Briefly News
