13 DJs and DJ collectives came together on September 10th, 2021 in an 18-hour live stream marathon to showcase the plethora of talent in South Africa. This was Mixcloud’s second installment of Worldwide Vibe spotlighting local artists, DJs, and creative powerhouses. 

The event was a real testament to the unique ways Mzanzi artists continue to connect with new audiences. By the way, anything ‘Mzanzi’ belongs to SA. So “Mzanzi House” describes the rainbow of sounds and electronic genres that evolved in South Africa like Amapiano, Gqom, Kwaito, and many more. It’s no news that the rhythms of Mzanzi culture, specifically Amapiano, have spread around the world like wildfire. Artists like Busiswa or Kabza De Small have worked with the likes of Beyoncé weaving SA sounds into pop culture. 

But behind these stars are local creators experimenting with new rhythms, rising up the ranks, hyping up dancers, and pushing South Africa’s scenes forward. So here are some we've kept on our radar:
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‍Que DJ 

Better known as a part of the Gqom duo Distruction Boyz, Que Dj is a young self-taught producer from KwaMashu, a town in Durban. Considered one of the pioneers of Gqom,  Distruction Boyz contributed massively to the genre with their hit single “Omunye.”  Later, as Gqom popularised, Que Dj distinguished himself by focusing on a subgenre he dubbed Umkhunkulu. 
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Pussy Party

Pussy Party is an incubator for women and queer DJs. Founded by Rosie Parade a few years back, Pussy Party is an intentional space to empower LGTQ+ and femme music creators. They’ve had at least two national tours and ​​performed alongside London DJ Shy One and collective BBZ. Not only does Pussy Party book DJs locally and globally, but they also host DJ workshops to elevate their community. 

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BŪJIN

BŪJIN describes herself as a performance artist, composers, sonic installation creator, and songwriter. She combines live performances and DJing to create immersive experiences for her fans, and values collaborating in her performances. Originally Kenyan and South African, she spins vinyl records and pulls from traditional African sounds, especially her performance for The Other Radio during our Worldwide Vibe event.
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Hamshack Radio

Based in Cape Town, Hamshack Radio is an online radio station and independent cultural platform. As established curators, they’ve connected with radio stations and artists worldwide. Most recently, they worked with Radio Alhara to advocate for Palestinian rights. Founded by Filipe Acafrao and James Morritt-Smith, Hamshack curated an incredible show for WorldWide Vibe bringing together DJs Insert Coinz & Liru Bishi.

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Atiyaah Khan

Also known by her DJ name “El Corazon”, Atiyaah is a record collector, archivist, and arts journalist. Her sets are meaningful explorations of the global south and its sonic influence on the rest of the world. More importantly, she’s co-founder of Future Nostalgia alongside Grant Jurius. Their collective holds listening sessions in celebration of vinyl culture throughout South Africa, and today, Atiyaah also hosts a regular show with Worldwide FM, check it out here.

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Vogue Nights Jozi

Also known by her DJ name “El Corazon”, Atiyaah is a record collector, archivist, and arts journalist. Her sets are meaningful explorations of the global south and its sonic influence on the rest of the world. More importantly, she’s co-founder of Future Nostalgia alongside Grant Jurius. Their collective holds listening sessions in celebration of vinyl culture throughout South Africa, and today, Atiyaah also hosts a regular show with Worldwide FM, check it out here.