Kristelle’s sound feels like a homecoming; a rhythm already living in your body.
Channeling the energy of diasporic dance floors, where log drums rumble like memory and melody moves like smoke through the crowd. Her sets aren’t just about the drop, they’re about the build, the slow burn, the unspoken language between bodies in motion. Amapiano, for Kristelle, isn’t just a genre, it’s a cultural conversation, a shared code that stretches from South Africa to Sydney.
As the first artist to release amapiano music in Sydney, Kristelle didn’t wait for the scene to catch up – she created it. Long before the genre found its way into local lineups and club nights, she was producing tracks, curating sets, and introducing audiences to a sound deeply rooted in South African culture. It wasn’t always easy.
“I just kept pushing, and I just kept playing it... and suddenly everyone likes [ama]piano in Australia.” Her persistence turned curiosity into community, and helped shape a growing movement that’s now pulsing through the city’s underground.
For Kristelle, amapiano is more than music, but also a lifeline. In a city where belonging can feel elusive, through Yanos, the collective she's helped build, she’s carved out a home for a community that shows up, “rain, hail or shine.”
“We’ve built our own community...and to have that support, sometimes I get teary-eyed about it.”
Looking ahead, Kristelle sees huge potential for growth not just for amapiano, but for the wider African community in Australia. She’s dedicated to weaving together platforms and communities that bridge artists with audiences and industry alike.
“We have so much room to grow. We have an African diaspora community here in Australia, let’s push them alongside showcasing the ones coming internationally. We have so many amazing African artists here in Australia that don’t have that platform that they could have.”
It’s about opening doors for local artists to step into the spotlight, standing shoulder to shoulder, making waves. Creating spaces where their voices aren’t just heard, but celebrated.. Though the journey is ongoing, she knows this movement is bigger than music.
Words by Ify Obiegbu