Armada Music, the biggest independent dance music label in the world, has partnered with Warner Music Africa and Africori, the #1 destination for independent African artists and labels from across the world, to launch ‘AMAPIANO TO IBIZA’, a concept EP comprising amapiano reinterpretations of classic “Ibiza” house tracks. The first track from the EP by Rosey Gold and Jay Music drops today, offering a fresh take on Human Resource’s hit ‘Dominator.‘
The collaboration arrives amid the rising popularity of amapiano, a house music subgenre that originated in South Africa in the mid-2010s. Spotify recently reported that amapiano tracks generated 1.4 billion streams on the platform in 2023 alone, with a growth rate of 5,668% since 2018. Amapiano’s infectious rhythms and cultural resonance have led to collaborations with major international artists, and artists from the genre have appeared at prominent music festivals worldwide, solidifying its relevance and expanding its reach beyond Africa.
‘AMAPIANO TO IBIZA’ honors amapiano’s House music roots by creatively merging some of House music’s most iconic classics with the genre’s sounds. Renowned artists in the space, including DBN Gogo, Major League DJz, Kelvin Momo, Rosey Gold, Thuto The Human and 2woBunnies have reimagined timeless classics from within Armada Music’s extensive dance catalog by House music legends like Blaze, Dennis Ferrer and Inner City, presenting new music through a familiar lens to captivate dance music fans.
The EP is released on OUT OF ORDER, Warner Music’s Emerging Markets dance label, which is creatively curated by Emerging Markets Director of A&R, Selina Chowdhury. Tracks will be released throughout July and August, culminating in the full EP launch in early September, coinciding with a release event in Ibiza.
“We are delighted to announce this innovative partnership with Warner Music Africa and Africori,” said Maykel Piron, CEO of Armada Music Group. “House music has been adopted and adapted by various genres worldwide over the years, and this project underscores its potential to transcend traditional genre boundaries once again. We are excited to continue our mission to insert creativity into our extensive catalog and breathe new life into classic dance music.”
About Armada Music:
Armada Music is the biggest independent dance music label in the world. Founded by Armin van Buuren, Maykel Piron (CEO) and David Lewis, the label manages an ever-growing catalog of over 50,000 tracks across twenty-plus years of specialized dance music exploitation.
Representing artists such as Armin van Buuren, ARTY, D.O.D, Eelke Kleijn, Jan Blomqvist, Lilly Palmer, Loud Luxury, THEMBA, Sunnery James & Ryan Marciano, Tensnake and Yulia Niko, Armada Music amasses more than one billion streams per month, airplay on leading radio outlets such as BBC Radio 1 and Sirius XM, and top positions in the world’s most notable charts. Significant label milestones include Armin van Buuren’s GRAMMY nomination for ‘This Is What It Feels Like’ and two tracks surpassing one billion streams on Spotify: Loud Luxury and Brando’s ‘Body’ and Lost Frequencies’ ‘Are You With Me’.
Across offices in Amsterdam (HQ), New York, London and Laren (NL), Armada Music offers a global appeal to its growing roster. The label has its own club, radio studio and multiple production studios, and hosts various live formats. Producer platform Armada University, which offers educational products and opportunities, shows the label’s sustained effort to nurture the next wave of talent. For more information, visit www.armadamusic.com, @armadamusic on Instagram and @armada on X.
About Warner Music Africa:
Warner Music Africa, headquartered in Johannesburg, South Africa, is dedicated to fostering a culture of innovation and inclusion for our people, artists, and songwriters. As a representative office in Sub-Saharan Africa, we are committed to sharing the next generation of African global superstars with the world. Our mission is to create a more ethical, equitable, and environmentally sustainable company, which we believe is vital for our long-term creative and commercial success.
About Africori:
Africori is the #1 destination for independent African artists and labels from across the continent and in the Diaspora. With offices in Johannesburg, London and Lagos and reps across the continent, Africori is a creative hub for Africa’s leading independent artists and record labels, providing digital distribution, licensing, publishing and marketing services, and home to the likes of Master KG, Focalistic, Rexxie, Marioo and Kelvin Momo. Since 2009, their ambition has been to empower African creatives in the digital space and promote African music to a global audience.
