IMS Ibiza, the annual thought-leadership platform at the intersection of culture, education, industry, and wellness in electronic music is set to spotlight and celebrate Amapiano, Afrobeats and the African dance music scene, uniting a curated selection of artists and industry leaders shaping the scene, plus presenting performances from DJ’s and producers from the genre making impact on the global electronic music stage.
Born in South Africa and raised around the world, Amapiano is the dance genre that has reached global heights. The 15th edition of IMS Ibiza next month will explore the vibrant evolution of the genre, tracing its roots from the townships of South Africa to its meteoric rise to global popularity.
Two-time Grammy-nominated Nigerian musician and DJ Sarz, the producer behind Beyoncé’s “Find Your Way Back”, Drake’s “One Dance” and collaborations with Skrillex and Skepta, will be interviewed by NTS radio’s Charisse C, the DJ, Artist and Abantu founder who stands at the vanguard of South African dance music.
In Amplifying Amapiano: The Journey of a Genre from The Township to the Global Stage, presented by Ballantine’s True Music industry leaders and artists including Dare Balogun (Ballantine’s True Music Strategist; M&C Saatchi Sport & Entertainment, UK), Grace Ladoja (Music Executive/Company Founder, Metallic Inc/Homecoming, UK), Sarah Jane Nicholson (Managing Director/Founder, Paradise Worldwide/Africa Rising Music Conference, South Africa), Shanae Dennis (Agent, Wasserman Music, UK) and Tunde Adeniyi (Dankie Sounds, UK) will unpack the genre’s cultural influence and impact on the global electronic music industry.
The discussion will be followed by a Ballantine’s True Music party, sponsored by Ballantine’s Scotch whisky with Charisse C and recent Ballantine’s True Music 10 London headliner, Sarz bringing the sounds of Amapiano to IMS Ibiza. Ballantine’s True Music has long celebrated South Africa’s vibrant music scene from Gqom to Deep House and Amapiano is no exception to this, having worked with icons including Focalistic, DBN Gogo, Uncle Waffles, Kabza de Small and many more. Ballantine’s True Music has championed, supported, and represented over 800 pioneering headliners and emerging artists, celebrating over 70 local communities from over 30 countries across six continents; representing local music culture on a global stage. As Ballantine’s marks its 10th Anniversary of True Music, Amapiano will be in the spotlight in 2024 once more.
The celebration of African electronic music will continue at the seven-hour summit closing celebration IMS Dalt Vila, where IMS is excited to welcome for the first time two artists showcasing Amapiano and its fusion of deep house, jazz, kwaito and afrobeat elements. KILIMANJARO, hailing from South Africa, raised in Scotland, and now residing in London, will combine his background of Afro-centric rhythms and influences with the fast-paced energies of the European electronic scene. Also on the line-up is Osabuohien Osaretin, better known by his stage name Sarz, a two-time Grammy- nominated Nigerian producer, mixing engineer, musician, and DJ. The undisputed heavyweight producer of contemporary Afrobeats, his unique and pioneering production techniques have helped reshape Nigeria’s sound profile.
Presented in partnership with AlphaTheta, the seven-hour unmissable musical event is held in the old town of Ibiza at the historic 2,500-year-old former fort, Dalt Vila, providing spectacular views of the Catedral de Eivissa with panoramic views of the Mediterranean Sea. In 2024 the site celebrates the 25th anniversary of its designation as a UNESCO World Heritage site, an award that recognises both its cultural and architectural value.
