# Afro tech

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**Afro tech** (also **Afro-tech** or **AfroTech**)[1][2] is a sub-genre of [afro house](/source/Afro_house) which originates and is predominantly made in South Africa.[1][2][3] It emerged in the 2010s. South African DJs and [music producers](/source/Record_producer) who popularized the genre include [Black Coffee](/source/Black_Coffee_(DJ)), [Culoe De Song](/source/Culoe_De_Song), Bekzin Terris, [Euphonik ( DJ Themba)](/source/Euphonik), Punk Mbedzi,[4][5][6] [DJ Tira](/source/DJ_Tira), [Zakes Bantwini](/source/Zakes_Bantwini),[7] [Shimza](/source/Shimza_(DJ))[8] and [Da Capo](/source/Da_Capo_(DJ)).[4][9][10]

## Name and characteristics

The name is in direct symmetry with [Afro house](/source/Afro_house) whereas in frame of reference the [prefix](/source/Prefix) 'afro' defines anything relating to [African culture](/source/Culture_of_Africa) as well as Africa.[11] The [suffix](/source/Suffix) 'tech' appeared to be designated on account of the evident immediate connection to [techno](/source/Techno). Vocals or lyrics are predominantly delivered in [Xhosa](/source/Xhosa_language) and [Zulu](/source/Zulu_language).[12] Afro-tech is a combination of Afro house and techno sounds inclusive of various African percussion.[13][9][14][15][16]

## History

The genre emerged in the 2010s, when record producers started exploring a distinct sound, reminiscent of afro-house but characterized by a stronger techno influence. Presumed precursor examples, being McLloyd's "*Tembisa Funk*", Blackwhole's "*1000 seconds"*, [DJ Tira](/source/DJ_Tira)'s *Ezase* *Afro Vol.1* "*Won't Let Go*", Bekzin Terris' ',"*The Calling*" (*Woza Madala*), Punk Mbedzi's "*6th Sense*" as well as [Black Coffee](/source/Black_Coffee_(DJ))'s "*We Dance Again*".[17][10][18][citation needed] Additionally, [gqom](/source/Gqom) was prevalent during the period.[19][20]

But although it seemed to have appeared from some alien reality, gqom was actually a kind of feverish hardcore reimagining of [kwaito](/source/Kwaito), afro-house and what was known locally as '[broken beat](/source/Broken_beat)'.

— Matthew Collin, *"Rave On - Global Adventures in Electronic Dance Music", 2018*

### 2010s

In 2015, [Grammy](/source/Grammy_Awards) award-winning artist Black Coffee received the Breakthrough of the Year award at the [DJ Awards](/source/DJ_Awards), primarily due to the song "*We Dance Again*" featuring [Nakhane](/source/Nakhane).[21][14][22] In 2018, Punk Mbedzi recorded a live Afro tech mix for [Redbull](/source/Red_Bull_Media_House).[4]

*Gqom*, DJ and producer, [DJ Lag](/source/DJ_Lag) released a song titled, "*3 Step Culo*".[23] Some of DJ Lag's work showcases the fusion of afro tech with other genres such as gqom, amapiano and Afro house.[24][25]

Obviously they're hearing Black Coffee and all that [Durban](/source/Durban) house sound with the [drones](/source/Drone_(sound)), the [reverb](/source/Reverberation) and the mental [syncopated](/source/Syncopation) [shakers](/source/Shaker_(music)), but they're taking away it's smoothness, Jones explains. They go "fuck it" and they strip out the vocals, take out that [four-on-the-floor](/source/Four_on_the_floor_(music)) [kick drum](/source/Bass_drum) and start giving it that broken rhythm. Then they add that drone and that one-note repetition that goes on for about six minutes.

— Matthew Collin, *"Rave On - Global Adventures in Electronic Dance Music", 2018*

[Euphonik](/source/Euphonik)[26] changed his stage name to "DJ Themba".[27]

[Culoe De Song](/source/Culoe_De_Song) released the album *Black* which featured British-Japanese [techno](/source/Techno) musician, [Maya Jane Coles](/source/Maya_Jane_Coles) as well as [Da Capo](/source/Da_Capo_(record_producer)). The album was especially curated for the event "Black NYC" in New York City which was headlined by De Song and German, DJ [Dixon](/source/Dixon_(DJ)).[28]

In 2019, [Holly Rey](/source/Holly_Rey)[2] was the first woman in 20 years to win the [South African Music Awards](/source/South_African_Music_Awards), Record of the Year, award for her single "*Deeper*". Holly Rey had taken over from [Brenda Fassie](/source/Brenda_Fassie) who won the award in 1999 for "*Vulindlela*".[29] In 2023, she collaborated with [Kenyan](/source/Kenya) musician, [Blinky Bill](/source/Blinky_Bill_(musician)) on the song "*25 To Life*".[30]

### 2020s

In 2020, DJ Shimza[8] became the first DJ, ever to play a [set](/source/Dj_set) on [Robben Island](/source/Robben_Island).[31] During the [apartheid regime](/source/Apartheid), [Nelson Mandela](/source/Nelson_Mandela) was [imprisoned](/source/Imprisonment) on the island for 18 years.[32]

[DJ Clock](/source/DJ_Clock), [NaakmusiQ](/source/NaakMusiQ) and DJ Tira released "*SuperHero*", described as "an old techno flavour and a strong kwaito feel". The song's music video was filmed solely using the mobile phones of DJ Tira and NaakMusiQ.[33]

In 2021, Black Coffee collaborated with the singer, [Cassie](/source/Cassie_Ventura) on a song titled, "*Time*".[34]

"*[IMali](/source/IMali)*" was released by [Zakes Bantwini](/source/Zakes_Bantwini), Nana Atta, and Karyendasoul. The song was certified [platinum](/source/Music_recording_certification) and debuted at number 1, on South African, [charts](/source/Record_chart).[35]

In 2022, Caiiro and Enoo Napa performed a back to back, [set](/source/Dj_set) for [Mixmag](/source/Mixmag)'s, *In The Lab [Johannesburg](/source/Johannesburg)*.[36]

Through German electronic music record label [Get Physical Music](/source/Get_Physical_Music), producer, vocalist and singer Thandi Draai released a compilation album titled *Africa Gets Physical Vol. 4*. The compilation showcased afro-tech musicians from various African countries such as Kenya, [Ghana](/source/Ghana), [Zimbabwe](/source/Zimbabwe), [Nigeria](/source/Nigeria) and South Africa, among others. It was abundant in African percussion, vocals and [rhythms](/source/Rhythm). The album, comprised 17 songs and featured Thakzin, Atmos Blaq, Drega, Dawgpound and Kitty Amor.[37]

In 2023, [Spotify](/source/Spotify) established the "AfroTech Now" playlist.[38]

Karyendasoul released his debut album, *We Live 4 Our Music*. The album included other acclaimed afro house and afro tech artists such as songwriters and singers [Ami Faku](/source/Ami_Faku), [Msaki](/source/Msaki), [Simmy](/source/Simmy) and [Zakes Bantwini](/source/Zakes_Bantwini).[3] The album was listed in [DJ Mag](/source/DJ_Mag)'s, *top albums of 2023*.[39]

"*[iPlan](/source/IPlan)*" by gqom producer [Dlala Thukzin](/source/Dlala_Thukzin) ( known for fusing gqom with Afro tech and amapiano)[40] debuted at number 1 on [*Billboard* South Africa songs](/source/Billboard_(magazine)),[41] and on [The Official South African Charts](/source/The_Official_South_African_Charts),[15] also surpassed 2 millions streams,[42] and achieved [double-platinum](/source/Double-platinum) status in 2 weeks.[43][44]

DJ, DESIREE[45] was announced as the [DJ Mag](/source/DJ_Mag) *Top 100 DJs Future Star*, winner.[5]

Lizwi[46] released "*Prayer*". The song's delivery is a [Christian](/source/Christians) prayer in [Zulu](/source/Zulu_language).[12]

Portuguese, duo Afrokillerz released their 11 songs, debut album, "*UKÄRÄ*" featuring [Angolan](/source/Angola) artist Irina Vasconcelos and singer, Szon.[16]

[Mörda](/source/Murdah_Bongz) (former [Black Motion](/source/Black_Motion), member)[47] and musician Brenden Praise featured on [*The Color Purple*(soundtrack)](/source/The_Color_Purple_(2023_film)). They remixed [Tamela Mann](/source/Tamela_Mann)'s "*Mysterious Ways*". The compilation included other acclaimed artists such as [Alicia Keys](/source/Alicia_Keys), [Mary J. Blige](/source/Mary_J._Blige), [Usher](/source/Usher_(musician)) and [Halle Bailey](/source/Halle_Bailey).[48][49]

In 2024, *GIMC Afro Tech 5.0* was held in [Botswana](/source/Botswana). The event was established in April 2022. Previously South African Afro tech acts such as Da Capo, Africa Da Deep, Darque, Mpho.Wav, Culoe De Song, [Sun El Musician](/source/Sun-El_Musician), [Black Motion](/source/Black_Motion), Lemon and Herb amongst local acts Nurogroove and Raul Bryan were showcased. Event organizer, Fish Pabalinga stipulated that "the event has positively impacted the growth of Afro Tech in the country".[1][50]

American singer [Aloe Blacc](/source/Aloe_Blacc) most noted as the songster on [Avicii](/source/Avicii)'s, "[*Wake Me Up*](/source/Wake_Me_Up_(Avicii_song))" collaborated with DJ Shimza for single "*Darling*" an afro-tech and [soul](/source/Soul_music) interpretation of [Ben E. King](/source/Ben_E._King)'s 1961 single, "[*Stand By Me*](/source/Stand_by_Me_(Ben_E._King_song))".[51]

"*Ode to Ancestors*" by Black Coffee featured [Benin](/source/Benin) actor [Djimon Hounsou](/source/Djimon_Hounsou) as presumed guest performance [vocalist](/source/Vocalist) on *Rebel Moon –Songs Of The Rebellion* which was compiled for and inspired by [Zack Snyder](/source/Zack_Snyder)'s Netflix [sci-fi](/source/Sci-fi), [space opera](/source/Space_opera) [film series](/source/Film_series), [*Rebel Moon-Part 2*](/source/Rebel_Moon_%E2%80%93_Part_Two:_The_Scargiver). The [extended play](/source/Extended_play) included other artists such as [Tokimonsta](/source/Tokimonsta) and [aespa](/source/Aespa). "*Ode to Ancestors*" was specifically inspired by the character, General Titus played by Hounsou.[52][53]

Emerging from a two-year hiatus, the [Cape Town](/source/Cape_Town) [electronic music](/source/Electronic_music) trio [GoodLuck](/source/GoodLuck_(band)) debuted their inaugural Afro tech-inspired collaboration with Frigid Armadillo on the song "*Goodbye My Friend".*[54]

## Noteworthy record labels

- Soul Candi[55]

## References

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Afro tech](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afro_tech) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afro_tech?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.