If there is something to marvel at when it comes to the boundary-pushing movement of Amapiano, it has to be the spirit of community. It is rare to find a smash hit, let alone a culture-defining moment that is not born out of the collaborative spirit fostered by producers, musicians and vocalists alike, and that could ring truer than for Diepkloof, Soweto’s Finest: Amu Classic & Kappie — two visionaries have emerged as pivotal figures in South Africa’s Amapiano revolution.
Their origin story is steeped in perseverance and creative conviction. When they first entered Soweto’s music scene, Deep House dominated the soundscape, with pioneering group MFR Souls just beginning to introduce piano elements primarily dismissed by critics. Rather than following the established path, Amu Classic & Kappie embraced this emerging sound, turning industry skepticism into creative fuel.
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What others rejected became their foundation, a space to develop their unique artistic voice while refining their production techniques. By 2019, the duo had begun making waves with their first EP, Success, created alongside Sinny Man Que. Their trajectory accelerated in 2020 when they signed with Simnandi Records, joining forces with producer Thuske SA to form the influential group ATK MusiQ—a name derived from the first letters of each member’s artistic identity. Their breakthrough single, “Oksalayo”, catapulted them into the spotlight, but behind the scenes, challenges were mounting.
Despite their growing popularity, the trio faced internal struggles. Miscommunication about bookings, unauthorised sales of exclusive tracks, and personal conflicts led to a difficult but necessary split. Emerging from this period of upheaval, Amu Classic & Kappie recommitted to their partnership, channelling their experiences into their album “One For the World,” which produced the hit single “Qhude” featuring Mashudu.
In 2023, they took their most significant leap yet, establishing Umzonkonko Music Academy—a name that reflects their commitment to creating music and nurturing the next generation of South African talent. What began as Amu Classic’s independent mixtape series evolved into a full-fledged educational platform, providing opportunities for young producers and vocalists to develop their craft under experienced mentorship.
Already enriched with an enthralling catalogue of Private School Amapiano, The Fantastic Four chronicles their own path from underground producers to industry leaders. From the introspective lead single “Into The Stars”—which resonates with the frustration of watching others succeed while struggling with one’s own path—to the lounge-infused “Zulu Lami,” the album showcases their remarkable versatility and growth.
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Released on February 21, 2025, this ambitious 13-track album represents a bold expression of resilience, evolution, and artistic vision and cements them as genre-defining producers. Partnering with fellow Amapiano powerhouse duo Mellow & Sleazy, they’ve crafted a project that seamlessly blends soulful ballads and street anthems while pushing the boundaries of a genre they helped popularise.
Now, with collaborators including Focalistic, Mashudu, and Tman Xpress, to name a few, they’ve created a project that not only honors amapiano’s roots but propels it toward global recognition. As they prepare for their first international tour, these once-overlooked innovators are ready to transform from local heroes into worldwide ambassadors of a sound they refused to abandon when critics said it wouldn’t last.
You both started your musical journey in 2018 in Diepkloof, Soweto. What was the local music scene like then, and how did it influence your initial sound?
Amu Classic & Kappie: “Deep House and House music dominated when we entered the local scene. MFR Souls had introduced piano elements, but they weren’t well-received initially. Many critics dismissed the piano movement as a passing trend. Ironically, this skepticism actually inspired our sound. We embraced the piano movement as an opportunity to develop our unique artistic voice and refine our production techniques. What others rejected became the foundation for us to hone our craft and establish our musical identity.”
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Your career has evolved from being part of ATK MusiQ to establishing yourselves as a duo. Could you walk us through that transition and the key moments that shaped this evolution?
Amu Classic & Kappie: “Amu Classic and I (Kappie) worked together consistently and frequently collaborated with Thuske SA. We regularly collected his music until we were signed to DJ Jaivane’s ‘Simnandi Records.’ Since we worked as a trio, we created ATK to simplify things—representing Amu Classic, Thuske, and Kappie.
“Our breakthrough came with the release of our single ‘Oksalayo,’ which took off. We continued creating music afterwards but struggled to release it due to our limited understanding of the music business and release coordination.
“Later, we released ‘From Soweto To The World,’ which was quite successful. Unfortunately, complications arose when Thuske began accepting solo bookings. We’d receive calls about missed shows for which we weren’t even aware we were booked. He also sold our exclusive tracks to others and other personal issues we prefer not to mention. Eventually, we decided it was best to part ways and continue as Amu Classic & Kappie.
“A defining moment for us was working with DJ Jaivane, whom we looked up to as an icon. We’ve continued to release hit tracks with him until we branched off to do our own thing.”
“Umzonkonko Music Academy” suggests a focus on education and development. What inspired you to frame your label as an academy?
Amu Classic & Kappie: “In 2018, we were young men passionate about ‘Isghubhu’ music. Amu Classic originally created the name ‘Umzonkonko’ and was independently releasing mixtapes. After we formed ATK, we stopped producing mixes because Jaivane advised against it, explaining it would create confusion and administrative complications to have him and us release mixtapes simultaneously. He suggested handling the mixtapes himself since he already had an established following.
“After parting ways with Jaivane, we established our own label called ‘Umzonkonko Music.’ While working with a distribution partner, he suggested, ‘Since you’re focused on developing local artists and supporting talent, why not name it Umzonkonko Music Academy?’ We loved this concept as it reflected our mission and immediately adopted it.”
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Your Umzonkonko Mixtapes have become a platform for promoting new music. How do you curate these mixes, and how have they impacted the amapiano scene?
Amu Classic & Kappie: “We strategically used these mixtapes to promote our music and any artists we were trying to elevate at the time. The mixes created impact through exclusive tracks and gave listeners a preview of emerging sounds and upcoming trends. This approach changed the industry’s game—now we see many artists releasing mixes specifically to introduce new music. We believe our method transformed how artists debut and showcase their work.”
Stream “Umzonkonko Vol.4 Mixed By Amu Classic & Kappie and Mellow & Sleazy” here:
Your new album, The Fantastic Four, is a production collaboration primarily with Mellow & Sleazy. Why were they the perfect collaborators to usher in your spiritual and hood anthemic sounds?
Amu Classic & Kappie: “Sleazy was following our musical journey from the beginning in 2018. He would send us DMs expressing interest in collaboration, and we exchanged numbers, but nothing materialised initially. Fast forward to 2019, when we finally met Mellow and Sleazy in person. Sleazy recognised our work ethic and proposed blending our Private School Amapiano style with their sound, which kicked off our collaboration. That’s when I suggested we work on a project called Fantastic Four, representing our four-person collective.
“Finding collaborators wasn’t a simple process. Artists like Tman Xpress and LeeMcKazy maintain hectic schedules, so we maximised productivity whenever we secured time with them. For the album selection, we made executive decisions to choose the strongest tracks from all the music we created together. While our collaborators showed genuine interest, making the album was challenging due to coordinating around everyone’s tight schedules. One of our favourite recording experiences was creating ‘Myekeleni Apheke’—the energy and vibe during that session was absolutely top-notch!”
The lead single, “Into The Stars,” addresses the frustration of watching others succeed while struggling with your own path. Is this reflective of your personal experiences in the music industry?
Amu Classic & Kappie: “Definitely. We’ve struggled significantly with inconsistent relationships in the industry. We’d work with artists one day, only to have them ignore our calls the next. It’s been overwhelming—a long journey where we’ve helped numerous artists develop their careers without receiving proper recognition for our contributions.
“We’ve lost valuable time travelling between studios trying to get work done—time that could have been used more productively elsewhere. We’ve navigated these challenges by believing that our success doesn’t depend on specific individuals. Ultimately, we trust that only God determines our path forward.”
Stream “Into The Stars” here:
“Zulu Lami” is another standout record from the album, and it has an element of lounge music. What was the production process of bringing this song to life?
Amu Classic & Kappie: “It started as just a beat. During a studio session with Mashudu at Tman Xpress’s house, she specifically requested ‘something with strong, matured chords.’ Sleazy browsed through our beat folder and selected that particular track. Mashudu immediately responded, ‘This is the one!’ She recorded her part and then suggested having Tman contribute to it as well. That collaborative process is how the track came to life.”
Looking back at your journey from your first EP, Success, to The Fantastic Four, what achievement are you most proud of?
Amu Classic & Kappie: “As we expand, we’re working to engage with more people and accept additional support. We’ve faced challenges because we’ve traditionally handled everything ourselves, earning us a dedicated cult following. However, our music and production have evolved significantly, and the quality of our work has transformed.
“Collaborating with Mellow and Sleazy—one of the industry’s biggest duos known for their consistency since entering the scene—is definitely an achievement we’re proud of. We also reached the top ten on Apple Music’s all-genres chart and secured a better distribution deal. These milestones represent our most significant accomplishments to date.”
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You’re about to embark on a world tour for The Fantastic Four. What are some of your expectations for the tour?
Amu Classic & Kappie: “We haven’t yet performed internationally, so our debut abroad will be significant. We’re anticipating that international audiences will respond to our music with the same enthusiasm we see in South Africa—perhaps even more enthusiastically. We already receive considerable streaming numbers from international listeners, which suggests there’s an audience waiting for us. We just need those initial bookings to happen, which could open the floodgates for a true global takeover!”
Thank you for joining us for this interview. Before you go, please share some other plans you have for 2025. What’s next for Amu Classic & Kappie?
Amu Classic & Kappie: “Fans can expect a lot more music from us this year. Now that we’ve secured a deal we’re happy with, we’re focusing on releasing more tracks than ever before. We’re also committed to discovering and nurturing fresh talent to help grow the culture. There are several exciting projects in the pipeline that we can’t discuss just yet, but be sure to follow our social media accounts to stay updated on all our announcements!”
The Fantastic Four is available now for streaming and download here
