As the festive season approaches, the South African music scene is brimming with excitement, with many Amapiano artists and DJs dropping fresh tracks to set the tone for the summer. One of the latest entries is Shaun Stylist, who recently previewed his much-anticipated single, Iyebobo.The preview, which was posted on Twitter, generated a flurry of responses, with many expressing mixed feelings about the song’s potential.
While some fans were eager to show their support, the majority of reactions from social media users were far from positive. Many flooded the comment section with criticisms, questioning the track’s appeal and suggesting that it might not resonate with the wider Amapiano audience. One user, @meme_museum36, bluntly stated that the song should be kept “for friends and family,” while @officialtwinny took a more scathing approach, jokingly suggesting that Shaun Stylist should be arrested along with Mamkhize if she were to face legal troubles. Others were equally dismissive, claiming that the track lacked the flair needed to make an impact in the competitive Amapiano space.
The backlash didn’t stop there, with several users accusing Shaun Stylist of trying too hard to tap into trending topics or to gain attention. One user, @Zweli_Thixo, speculated that the artist was leveraging the LGBT+ community for “immunity,” a comment that stirred further controversy and added fuel to the criticism. Meanwhile, others took aim at what they perceived as a lack of originality, with @tseepati mocking the artist for trying to ride on the coattails of viral dance trends. It was clear from the flood of negative feedback that the song wasn’t hitting the right notes for many listeners.
Some fans, however, expressed a more critical sentiment about the state of the Amapiano genre itself. @Jonas30825666 lamented that tracks like Iyebobo could spoil the genre, referring to the “noise” as a negative influence on the Amapiano sound. This comment underscored a broader concern among listeners that the genre, which has experienced massive global success, might be at risk of becoming oversaturated with subpar offerings. For these critics, the focus on mainstream appeal seemed to overshadow the quality and authenticity that initially made Amapiano stand out.
Despite the backlash, it’s clear that Shaun Stylist is committed to pushing boundaries and making his mark in the Amapiano scene. Whether or not Iyebobo will gain traction among fans remains to be seen, but the social media reaction underscores the heightened expectations that come with being part of a genre as popular as Amapiano. As the festive season rolls on, it will be interesting to see whether the track gains momentum or fades into the background, as many critics predict.
