On Wednesday, 28 July, DJ Maphorisa shared the introductory visuals to his latest music video on Instagram with only the caption “Izolo Motion Picture Dropping Friday”. Armed with only the sounds of a money counting machine, tires racing down the street, one arm out of the window and background noise that could only elicit the implications of a good life and a great night out — Maphorisa set the tone and set the expectations very high before Friday. More than anything, I was ecstatic to see the final product.
Released as the first music video to accompany DJ Maphorisa and Tyler ICU’s EP, Banyana, the picture — as it now deserves that proclamation — marks a pivotal point in DJ Maphorisa and his long time video director, Nigel Stockl’s, relationship. A collaborator by nature, Maphorisa and Tyler ICU call on the pens of Daliwonga, Visca and Mpura to round off the verses, alongside Maphorisa’s alias Madumane. Framed under the banner “South Africa 2054”, Stockl doesn’t cease to deliver an appreciation of South African music by accomplishing what I would call a breath of fresh air in the visual aspect of amapiano.
DJ Maphorisa and Tyler ICU’s released their three-track EP earlier in the year. Collaborative bodies of work make up the majority of Maphorisa’s discography and it is a pleasant surprise to see that he outshines within them; in all aspects of music making. Tyler joins the list of artists who frequently join arms with Maphorisa — this list including most popularly Kabza de Small, Tresor and King Deetoy — the last three musicians Maphorisa has made joint albums with. Maphorisa boasts an impressive resume in the midst of this current amapiano wave with Major Lazor, Kwesta, Professor, Mafikizolo and Uhuru under his belt. The list of songs he has produced, perhaps unbeknownst to the public is even greater in comparison.
Although not the first ones to deliver a memorable video in the ‘piano genre, Maphorisa, Tyler and Stockl give a distinct, intentional and visually pleasing iteration of amapiano and its subsection of music videos. By directly translating the atmosphere, feel and exciting sonic aspect of the song into thrilling visuals, the collaborators match the sensational song to its video counterpart — a feat that the ‘piano genre is infamous for being unable to do, or infamous for lacking the follow-through to do so. Seemingly agreeing with this sentiment, Maphorisa has since received acclaim for the music video as well as Madumane’s verse, therefore, moving him beyond being a continued and obvious force in amapiano as a whole, to also emerging as a lyricist who excels in the genre. “I told u di sama di dezzie”, Maphorisa tweets, referencing his current attitude and reaction towards the South African Music Awards; a disappointing event from his perspective.
“Izolo”, the motion picture, showcases the artists featured living a lavish and ‘soft life’ throughout the video. Channelling nightlife, youth culture and excess, a staple in South African dance music, is to be expected. However, what makes “Izolo” interesting is the extra lengths that the visuals go to, to convey this particular concept, staying purposeful in all aspects of the music video such as location, lighting, costume and character. Due to its history, it might be a bit forward to judge and critic a ‘piano video using the metrics most associated with short to full-length filmmaking, however, no artist or genre should only be relegated to what is expected of them; what is easy; or what they have accomplished in the past. This is hopefully a bar that has been raised or upheld once again and an impending sign of the future of South African ‘piano music videos.
