Music

Akiid Musiq, also known as Robot Boi, is a pioneering figure in South Africa’s underground electronic movement, rooted in Gqom but constantly pushing its boundaries with futuristic, high-energy sounds. Known for his raw dancefloor presence and unique sonic identity, Akiid has built a reputation for blending deep township rhythms with global club culture. Recently performing abroad, his sound has been crossing borders and turning heads internationally — and now he returns to the local scene, ready to ignite the festive season with an edge shaped by those global stages. Whether in intimate club spaces or on festival main stages, Robot Boi brings a futuristic intensity that locks crowds into his journey from the first drop to the closing beat.

Members : Authentically Plastic, Turkana, Nsasi In Kampala, Uganda’s capital, it’s impossible to talk about parties without immediately thinking of Nyege Nyege, the lively festival and label founded a decade ago. The success of this highly unstable electronic nebula has given rise to creative individuals and other highly unique artistic teams. Inspired and motivated to define its own musical and ethical visions, the ANTI-MASS collective is the foremost among them. Founded in 2018, the team—composed of Nsasi, Authentically Plastic, Turkana, and others—began by shaking up the Ugandan nightlife scene with a series of techno-themed, traveling parties for the local queer community: “We are defined by a subversive approach to partying, because we identify with queer culture and are committed to creating safe spaces for our community.” Their LGBTQIA+ activism is largely fueled by the experimental scene that supports ANTI-MASS—from DJ Kampire to Hibotep to Catu Diosis—as well as carefully curated selections of particularly cerebral gqom, pulsating techno, and East African trap.

Members : Francesco Mbele, Ayema Qampi, Lenzo Mangonyane, Jakinda Boya, Lesedi Malete, Nokukhanya Gama Genres: Gqom, TechHouse, experimental electronic Joburg’s Ebumnandini was founded in 2018 in response to declining support for the local scene. As various venues and festivals closed down, the collective decided to revitalize Johannesburg’s underground offering with a bold and sophisticated lineup. Just two years after its creation, the team collaborated with Boiler Room. While Spotify Africa placed its trust in them in 2023, Ebumnandini set up shop last year at the heart of the lively Yardland festival in France. In 2025, the collective was in charge of programming Kaytranada’s After Party in Johannesburg. “Our sound fuses house, hip-hop, amapiano, techno, and gqom,” explain the members of Ebumnandini. “The idea is to constantly push the boundaries. At the heart of Ebumnandini is our community. A community of creatives, music lovers, and trendsetters representing all of South Africa. Beyond the dance floor, our events bring together people who value connection, self-expression, and cultural exploration.”

In 1992, Enki Bilal invented chessboxing in his comic book Froid Équateur, a delightful alternation of boxing rounds and chess matches. South African audiophiles French For New are more into chessclubbing: when they’re not busy tearing up the Johannesburg nightlife scene—with more than seventy events under their belt—they organize chess tournaments. Founded nearly six years ago, the collective proclaims itself to be at the service of a “community of audiophiles, free-thinkers, creatives, and those who have decided to express themselves.” French For Now organizes parties under the banner of a beautiful fluidity of musical genres: “amapiano, house, gqom, and hip-hop, with a particular love for jazz,” say the members of the collective. “The success of our Soundset Sunday event has allowed us to develop other party concepts, such as the highly experimental and raw RARE or the Eclectic Sessions, dedicated to more immersive and sonic experiences.” And when the squares don’t light up under the feet of the girls and boys of Joburg, French For New moves the squares—black and white—of chessboards during well-deserved reflective sessions. Knowledge and dancefloor, a powerful and strategic combination.

Members : Nana Danso, Frank (Muud Swingz) Osei, Emmanuel Kunfaa, Yaw Asante, Edwin Dzobo, Frank Annan, Nyahan Takyi Genres : Afro-house, afro-tech, asorkpor, gqom, kuduro or tribal-house. Ekiti Sound, Moneyama, ASAAS? Since its creation in 2017, The Weird Cult has played a pivotal role in Accra's nightlife: "By blending electronic music, visual storytelling, and performance, we have managed to introduce a whole new standard of immersive experiences to the city's parties," enthuse the members of the collective. At the heart of The Weird Cult is "pulsating electronic music, inspired and influenced by Black culture." Afro-house, afro-tech, asorkpor, gqom, kuduro, tribal-house? "Our sound is rooted in a mix of African electronic rhythms, blended with heavy bass and contemporary sounds from the global alternative clubbing scene." The collective expresses its identity through numerous concepts: "Black Sheep Rave," "No Request," and "All Black & Skin" parties, an experimental rave dedicated to B2B DJ sets? "The Weird Cult is a total artistic movement, a community that builds spaces where dreamers and outsiders come together to experiment, connect, and evolve." Ultimately, it is the entire Accra scene that is being revitalized: "We are nurturing a new creative wave here in Ghana. A raw, inclusive, and experimental creativity that contributes to the influence of the vast West African alternative ecosystem."