France, Sept. 13 -- Amapiano, whose name means "the pianos" in isiZulu, one of South Africa's official languages, blends elements of deep house, jazz and kwaito, an earlier local style.

Its slower, rolling rhythms combine piano and keyboard melodies with percussion and a distinctive deep bass sound known as the log drum.

The sound emerged during the 2010s in townships in Gauteng province, home to Johannesburg and Pretoria. It has since travelled far beyond South Africa, helped by streaming and social media.

Johannesburg singer Tyla is a prime example.

Her amapiano-influenced hit "Water" spread around the world alongside a viral dance challenge and reached number seven on the Billboard Hot 100, the main US singles chart. It also won th...