What are the elements that define a genre of music?
The defining aspects that make reggae different from dancehall for instance.
It could be the beat structure or the number of beats per minute used as is the differential when it comes to music under the umbrella of house music.
Deep tech might involve more futuristic sounds to garnish the main instrumental while deep House could rely heavily on tribal influences, earthy sounds backed by congas and more traditional sounding drums.
The drum is the heartbeat of our continent as well as the life force for most music. This is most evident when it comes to amapiano as the log drum has fueled the success of this style of music. Amapiano has been at the centre of local pop culture for a few years now. Still, development seems to be stagnating and that might be a result of the reliance on this one instrument to steer the progression of this sound.
Read more | Hade Boss challenge brings Pretoria Central school TikTok fame
More will need to be added to the amapiano complement and there is a growing number of artists who are latching on to the idea of other instruments being able to push the music forward.
Take for example Nandipha808 and Ceeka RSA. They have a song that has been out for a while with sweltering drums that sound like the two producers gave rise to an arrangement that they eventually lose control of at certain points of the song when the 808s and log drum tear a crescendo through the progression of the song before the pair are able to ensnare these momentarily before they burst free and run riot again.
Read more | DJ Lag’s Hade Boss a love letter to amapiano and gqom fans
All the while, a dainty and artfully played violin skips in between where the log drum and synths rest, giving this track a zesty appeal, something unique that captivates the ear.
Now what if we were to tell you that the violin being played is being done so by an American-based Nigerian artist? That happens to be the case. The duo of producers reached out to a Nigerian-born American who specializes in classical music. Demola was intrigued by the idea of contributing to a genre like amapiano and together the trio created a celebrated but slightly slept on song.
Ademola Babafemi who prefers to go by Demola on stage, is from Nigeria and currently resides in The States where he has been making music for 14 years now.
“I have been doing covers of amapiano songs, and some of them were viral. While I was on tour, one of the producers of Mnike, Nandipha reached out to me to be part of their EP. I did two songs on the EP Blueberries and Forgive Our Trespasses," Demola reveals.
Demola explains contributing to one of the biggest amapiano releases of the last year as something low key or perhaps it’s his humility. He could not have hoped for a better outcome and reception that both these songs garnered.
“The artists are dope producers, and I love the amapiano genre. It feels great and it is a good feeling for me to see Africa and the world as a whole embrace the violin and dance to it at parties, clubs, festivals, and all over the internet. That feeling can't be bought.”
Demola is a classically trained musician and so naturally he has an elevated understanding of composition and rhythm.
“As a violinist, I play every genre of music very, very well. It all depends on what feeling and vibe I'm getting at the moment. Creativity can't be boxed.”
Demola also sings from time to time, preferring the sounds of Afropop, pop and Afro-fusion.
He is keenly waiting for the chance to head over to SA to join Nandipha808 and CeekRSA on stage to perform the two cuts they recorded.
“I have [been to SA]. It's been about a decade since I was last in South Africa. I would love to be back. I am preparing for my tour, which starts in March here in the USA. The One In A Million Tour 2.000. It is titled after my upcoming vocal and violin album slated for release in March.”
He is still very much in love with his craft and looks to perfect it daily. Ademola says he is inspired by, “my love and passion to make music as well as people's reactions to different music and the different genres of music I listen to.”
