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It’s spiritual and sexy. It’s ritual and runway. And right now, A Wave Of DJs from across Africa and its diaspora are leading the charge, turning dance floors into temples of rhythm.
Below are a selection of Afro House DJs who are spinning African energy into the world’s most exclusive clubs and biggest festival stages and deserve a spot on your playlist.
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Nitefreak
If Afro house had a spiritual futurist, it would be Zimbabwe’s Nitefreak. His polished productions, often laced with hypnotic chants, tribal textures, and pulsating bass, have made him a global name, all while keeping his sound rooted in ancestral pulse. A frequent collaborator of Francis Mercier and a regular on labels like Madorasindahouse and Higher Ground, Nitefreak is a go-to for DJs looking to elevate the dancefloor into something cinematic and soulful.
2. Francis Mercier
Though based in New York with Haitian roots, Francis Mercier is a champion of African sounds within global Afro house. His breakout tracks reimagine African vocal samples, from Senegal to Mali, with elegant, deep grooves that feel luxurious and emotionally charged. Through his label Deep Root Records and high-profile sets around the world, Mercier continues to uplift African artists, creating an elite lane where heritage meets house.
DJ Shimza
South Africa’s DJ Shimza is a powerhouse known for his precision mixing, massive stage productions, and tireless championing of Afro house worldwide. His “One Man Show” events have become legendary, pulling thousands into immersive, day-to-night journeys. Shimza’s style is driving, muscular, and deeply connected to the pulse of the crowd, making him one of the genre’s most prominent global ambassadors.
https://www.instagram.com/shimza.dj/?utm_source=ig_embed&ig_rid=b9777c72-7357-412a-b391-3f04137c3411
Gina Jeanz
Namibia’s Gina Jeanz brings elegance and sensitivity to Afro house, blending neo-soul with deep percussion and lush synth work. While she moves between genres, her DJ sets carry a distinct Afro house sensibility, swaying between deep grooves and Emotional Storytelling. A regular on the European circuit, she’s the sound of soft power and the kind that lingers long after the last track fades.
https://www.instagram.com/ginajeanz/?utm_source=ig_embed&ig_rid=307404c1-accc-4329-b68f-5da44bbc26ae
MoBlack
A veteran in the Afro house scene, MoBlack has helped define the genre through his iconic label, MoBlack Records serving as a launchpad for Afro house artists across the continent and diaspora. Ghanaian by origin and based in Italy, he blends deep tribal grooves with elegant tech-house elements. His mixes are curated like museum exhibitions, intentional, immersive, and always stylish.
Suraj
From the heart of Nairobi, Suraj is redefining East Africa’s presence in Afro house. His sets are immersive journeys, weaving traditional Swahili influences, percussive textures, and soaring melodic progressions into a sound that feels both intimate and expansive. A fixture at major African festivals and increasingly on the global circuit, Suraj’s work captures the spirit of the region, rich, warm, and deeply rooted in storytelling.
Issued on GQ South Africa by Shannon Manuel | https://www.gq.co.za/culture/entertainment/afro-house-djs-you-need-on-your-playlist-5b3966af-7fd8-438d-9583-2427c60eac15
