Fast-rising South African artist and composer [Aymos](https://www.instagram.com/aymos_shili/) has been having a groundbreaking past 12 months as one of the forerunners of the seminal Amapiano sound emerging out of South Africa. He was recently nominated for two prestigious South African Music Awards, and last year featured on one of the biggest South African tracks of 2020 ‘eMcimbini’ with Kabza De Small and DJ Maphorisa.
Aymos is one of the few to start taking the amapiano sound across international borders by collaborating with producers from across the pond such as Juls and Karen Nyame KG, among others.
Flaunt caught up with the amapiano prince himself to discuss his highly anticipated debut album _Yimi Lo,_ and his plans for amapiano in the future.
**Congratulations on the release of your album, _Yimi Lo_. What's the main message you want listeners to leave with from this body of work?**
The first thing I want people to know is who Aymos is because a lot of people know the voice, but not the face. It’s important to me that people know what I am about, which is independence, true artistry, and not necessarily following trends. I stand for impactful music and longevity through my music. My hope is for people to become aware that Afro Amapiano was pioneered by Aymos.
**What does the album title _Yimi Lo_ mean?**
_Yimi Lo_ means "this is me,” and the purpose is to convey to the audience that I AM THE FACE BEHIND THE MUSIC. I’ve been doing a lot of features and collaborations with mainstream artists which helped launch my career, but also overshadowed me. _Yimi Lo_ is meant to solidify my career in the industry.
**The album seems to cover rather personal themes around love, aspiration, and identity, can you unpack these themes for us?**
My music is a reflection of my life experiences, primarily my upbringing in a Christian family that never compromised salvation, belief system, or values. I was taught all throughout my childhood that God is Love, and therefore I should love myself as I am created in God's image. Having the belief that I’m a good person and encouraging others, because that’s how we measure a man’s success... by how many people he affected and the impact he made on others. In the music business, there will be challenges, tests and trials, but I must always know who I am and from where I come, before fame.
**If there’s only one song on the album you could point people to that captures your essence, what song would it be and why?**
The song that defines me is “Yimi Lo,” the oldest song I recorded on my album before the pandemic and fame. It ignites Afro-pop in me and explains why I took so long to release my own album after my fans demanded it. Although “Yimi Lo” is personified to a love relationship, it’s in truth intended solely for my fans. If you interpret it that way, you’ll understand my whole life.
**Tracks like “Lyf Styl” and “Amapaperbag” speak about the life and times of being an artist. Explain the messages behind these tracks.**
We’re under such great pressure to live a certain lifestyle by being a part of the music industry. Because of this, we put so much pressure on ourselves to conform to a lavish lifestyle, but in the song “Lyf Styl,” I explain why I do music. As long as I know I’m impacting or inspiring someone, I’ll continue to do it regardless of relevance. All I need is to empower one person, just like I was inspired by “Afrotraction” at another show I attended and made my mind up to do music full-time.
**The album is really star-studded with some of South Africa's finest, what was the collaborative process behind this album? What was it like working with Kabza De Small, Major League DJz, Focalistic and DBN gogo?**
Working with great artists showed me that nothing is impossible, especially when we relate to one another with a lot of things and fumble and laugh together. No matter what our status and income is, we’re all human, so I can achieve as well. My self-esteem is sometimes low because I’m a very shy person. Nevertheless, being in the same space with great artists and listening to some songs makes me stand tall and bold that I AM A STAR twinkling gradually and a great Amapiano artist.
**For our readers that may not have heard of amapiano, how would you describe this sound and culture?**
South African children are infused with the Amapaniano DNA. Amapiano is our language, culture and lifestyle. It’s made up of all South African originated sounds. Amapiano is Black, township, streets, hard and sSoulful. Amapiano is Ama2000…
**You considered quitting music because of the obstacles you faced after “eMcimbini.” Could you firstly tell us about this track and its impact on your career?**
“eMcimbini” is the best and the worst thing that’s ever happened to me. I had both my feet upright, one still firmly grounded in the gospel and the other in anything life threw at me. The song affirmed my entry into the new genre, and I had no regrets about what my church folk or parents would think. The song took me places, opened new borders, and carried me through doors.
I found myself highly in demand... I felt I was at the pinnacle of my abilities, my lyrics overflowed like a fountain of new ideas. As I was getting comfortable with it, the COVID-19 pandemic happened. “eMcimbini” felt like a curse as I fell from grace. The song kept on growing, but the face behind it was unknown and starving.
While my girlfriend was 9 months pregnant with my son, I miscarried with all the possibilities of becoming a star... I was laughed at, I was always reminded about where I could have been if it wasn’t for COVID, it was starting to be toxic and tiring. As I went through depression without knowing it was depression, I wanted to die and be forgotten, like I’d never existed. “eMcimbini” built a strong character in me. No situation will ever bring me down again. I'm stronger, better and prepared to face any pandemic.
**Thankfully you didn't quit and we now have this amazing album from you, but what’s next for Aymos?**
My goal is to get everything that belongs to me. The more I shine, the brighter I become. I am music. I am a reference to every living artist there is. I haven't travelled around the world yet. However, I strongly wish to break the stigma that artists should live a certain way because we are all human. My goal’s to empower aspiring artists to feel as though they can be better than any great artist.
**As one of the forerunners of amapiano, what are your hopes and dreams for the genre and movement as it crosses over internationally?**
My dream is to see Amapiano win over the world and be recognized as a global genre. Consequently, it must experiment with other sounds, in the same way that trap and underground sounds in hip hop and deep and afro-tech sounds in house music did.
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