With the rise of genres such as amapiano, the hip-hop industry has constantly been on the receiving end of some backlash, regarding DJs failing to stay connected with the current scene, resulting in outdated sets during significant.
Over the past decade, South Africa’s music scene has continued to grow and evolve to reflect mzansi’s rich and vibrant culture. At one point, local hip-hop was arguably at its peak, as various hip-hop songs consistently topped every chart and dominated every platform. However, the run slowly came to an end, as genres such as amapiano have reached unprecedented levels of popularity across the globe, leaving the local hip-hop scene in a state of concern.
Among these woes, event goers and festival attendees have constantly taken to social media to express frustration over the lack of growth that SA hip-hop DJs seem to display. According to these users, these individuals, who are supposed to be custodians of the culture have played a significant role in the genre’s decline locally, as unlike their amaiano counterparts, they seem o be holding on to some outdated playlists, as opposed to promoting the new and fresh tunes that artists are putting out.
SA HipHop DJs😂 y’all so funny. It’s 2025 bro, all that throwback shit gets played out too long✌️
— Brothers4Life (@caiusb4l) June 2, 2025
After garnering some attention for making controversial comments regarding amapiano, DJ Speedsta has been at the receiving end of some backlash from some internet users who have called him out for playing Knock You Down by Keri Hilson, which was released more than a decade ago.
Speedsta must stop complaining about piano when he’s still closing off his sets with songs that are 15+ years old.
Keri Hilson literally just released a new album, and you’re still playing that like it’s a new single? SA hiphop deejays are an elite type of weak. https://t.co/nDszGwHc9y
— a Nativ (@RoninDexx) June 2, 2025
DJ Speedsta deserves any type of slander coming his way for having the liver of playing Keri Hilson’s “Knock You Down” in front of a live audience in this current musical climate.
— *WestrandEnganche* (@carryonmrkash) June 2, 2025
Last RT… Speedsta has no business playing such old songs. Do hip hop DJs actually have their ear to the ground when it comes to music ?! Why are you playing songs that were popular nge Good Sundae ?!
— Malume 🇯🇴🇯🇴🇯🇴 (@LethuTheLegend) June 2, 2025
Also see: Fezile Ngubane framed on Olorato’s case: Freed by SAPS
