A New Chapter in Amapiano
South African Amapiano stars Focalistic and Ch’cco have officially teamed up for a groundbreaking collaborative album titled BASED ON A TRUE STORY (B.O.A.T.S). The project reimagines what the genre can be — bold, futuristic, and rooted in Pretoria’s raw energy.
Friendship, Brotherhood & Music
Speaking during the launch, Ch’cco reflected on the project’s deeper meaning:
“This project encapsulates our everyday life — from the music we make to the time on the road and our personal lives with family. It’s also about shining a light on friendships and brotherhoods.”
For Focalistic, the project is a testament to collaboration over competition:
“It’s my first collaborative effort, and it only made sense to do it with my brother Ch’cco. We come from the same place, we are Tswana, and this is about growing together.”
The Soundtrack of B.O.A.T.S
The album kicks off with “Beyoncé Baby” featuring Sims Noreng — an electrifying anthem built for global dancefloors, yet steeped in township swagger. Momentum builds with “Sports Mode” featuring Mellow & Sleazy, while “Duku Duku” with Vigro Deep pays homage to Amapiano’s roots through heavy percussion and fearless experimentation.
Midway through, “Haena Wrongo” arrives as a bold, unapologetic statement of self. Anchoring the project is “Basela”, the duo’s previously released single that has already garnered nearly 500,000 Spotify streams and landed on flagship playlists, cementing its place as a fan favorite.
Nostalgia Meets Innovation
Focalistic revealed that Prima Girl — a fresh Amapiano rendition of Magic System’s classic — had been on his mind for years:
“I used to love that song as a kid. Sampling it with Ch’cco brought two generations together in one record. It’s an African smash.”
Features Rooted in Real Life
Unlike many collaborations that chase star power, BASED ON A TRUE STORY stays authentic.
“All the features are with people who are close to us,” Ch’cco explained. “We never went out of our way to look for anyone. Everyone was in our circle, and that’s why the music feels so real.”
Confirmed features include Vigro Deep, Pabi Cooper, Sims Noreng, and Mellow & Sleazy — with whispers of a surprise international guest set to elevate the album further.
Honoring Amapiano’s Legacy
Ch’cco, known for bringing soulful vocals into Amapiano, also spoke about his influences:
“Sometimes I hit that R&B pocket because that’s my favorite vibe. It’s all about how I’m feeling on the day.”
Focalistic, who recently shared the stage with Scorpion Kings, paid tribute to the pioneers:
“DJ Maphorisa and Kabza De Small are our OGs. For them to say, ‘It’s your time now,’ means a lot. The catalog is here, and the motivation is stronger than ever.”
From Pretoria to the World
BASED ON A TRUE STORY is more than just an album — it’s a movement that captures the essence of Pretoria while pushing Amapiano forward for 2025 and beyond. With its mix of nostalgia, authenticity, and global ambition, Focalistic and Ch’cco are set to take their sound from the streets of South Africa to dancefloors around the world.
👉 B.O.A.T.S is out now on all digital platforms. Stream here: https://africori.to/boats
