Women are dominating the DJ scene, so much so that it’s hard to remember a time when there were hardly any. Although more women are stepping up to the turntables now, there are still 10 percent female performers at music festivals worldwide on average.
These talented women are taking over the DJ industry and telling everyone they are here to stay. With their skills and passion, Black female DJs are changing the nightlife landscape and proving that they are a force to be reckoned with.
Here are eight female DJs whose fire sets bring you Afrobeats, Amapiano, Arab Disco, and everything in between Africa and its diaspora.
DJ Uncle Waffles
Lungelihle Zwane, known as Uncle Waffles, went viral in late October thanks to a video in which she danced while behind the ones and twos. She managed to get more than 4 million views and a follow from Drake. She is noted for her work in the amapiano genre and her dance abilities, with Billboard describing her as the “princess of amapiano .”In April 2023, she will become the first amapiano musician to perform at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival. In 2022, Uncle Waffles announced she would host a residency on BBC Radio 1. She was the only DJ that performed at the 2022 Global Citizen Festival in Accra.
DJ Young Wavy Fox
Bronx-based DJ Young Wavy Fox, also known as Kaysy Gotay, is known for her riot-inducing parties across New York City, where everyone is dancing and jamming out to her prescribed mix of Afro-trance, reggaeton, funk, hip-hop, and R&B. When the Bronx-based DJ isn’t lighting a fire under revelers with dizzying blends of Afro-trance, reggaeton and beyond, she’s running her eponymous lingerie brand.
DJ DBN Gogo
After releasing hit after hit and trending all over social media for her unique dance moves for Dakiwe, Mandisa Radebe, better known as DBN Gogo, appeared on a billboard in Times Square in New York 2021. The DJ got involved with Spotify’s Equal Music Program alongside American rapper Saweetie and Nigerian star Tiwa Savage. DBN Gogo She took the music industry by storm in 2020 with her online quarantine sessions – Quaratunes Live. Although she is known to be the daughter of businesswoman Bridgette Motsepe and former minister of energy Jeff Radebe, she has cemented herself in the music industry with her hit songs Bells, Bambelela, and Possible.
DJ Poizon Ivy
Born Ivy Awino in Nairobi, Kenya, and raised in Dallas, DJ Poizon Ivy mastered piano and cello before discovering her love for turntables. DJ Poizon Ivy became the first female mixer to grace the airwaves at WKKV-FM as a V100.7 Mix Squad DJ. In 2016, she joined the Dallas Wings as their in-arena DJ during the W.N.B.A.’s historic 20th anniversary season. As if that wasn’t enough, she became the Dallas Mavericks’ first female team DJ in franchise history and is the 2nd female DJ in N.B.A. league history to accomplish that feat. DJ Poizon Ivy has lent her services to major brands, corporations, and non-profits, including the N.B.A., N.B.A. Africa, Basketball Africa League, Spotify, RiseNation, and several major record labels.
DJ Zinhle
Ntombezinhle Jiyane is a South African DJ, producer, media personality, and businesswoman better known by her stage name DJ Zinhle. With over 10 years in the industry, Zinhle is known for hits such as Umilo, Indlovu, and Mynameis, which have had her win numerous awards locally and internationally. With an estimated net worth of $3 million, DJ Zinhle is the richest South African female DJ. Her wealth comes from numerous sources, including T.V. and radio salaries, performances, brand endorsements, and several business ventures.
DJ Pierra Makena
Pierra Makena is a Kenyan DJ, actress, and T.V. personality. She has played at international events in Burundi, Ghana, Nigeria, and America. Makena won best supporting actress for her role in When Love Comes Around at the annual Nollywood and African Film Critics Awards in Los Angeles. She has worked as a news recorder, reporter, and producer at KBC, Kenyan’s national broadcaster. She also worked as a news presenter at Radio Waumini and YFM, now Hot 96.
DJ Cuppy
Florence Ifeoluwa Otedola, known as DJ Cuppy, is a Nigerian DJ and producer. She is the daughter of Femi Otedola, one of Nigeria’s wealthiest oil magnates. DJ Cuppy recently completed a master’s degree in African Studies at Oxford earlier this year. She has also performed internationally at the MTV Africa Music Awards. In 2020, she presented Apple Music’s first radio show dedicated to the popular Afrobeats. Her debut album Original Cuppy released later that year, featured Grammy-winning singer Wyclef Jean and Julian Marley, son of Reggae legend Bob Marley. Also in 2020, DJ Cuppy was inducted into Forbes Magazine’s 30 under 30 class.
Ms. Cosmo
Nonqaba Nozuko Rwaxa, better known as Ms. Cosmo, is a South African DJ, radio personality, MC, podcaster, music producer, and singer. She graduated from the University of Johannesburg with a BCom Finance and Investment Management degree. Ms. Cosmo was a student at DJ Zinhle’s Fuse Academy. She is known for hosting The Trap House and The Stir Up on 5FM. She was the first female DJ to join Channel O’s DJ music show, The Bassment. Ms. Cosmo opened up for Kanye West, Chris Brown, 2 Chainz, Kendrick Lamar, and Chance The Rapper during their South African tours. She won the Best Radio Show award at the South African Hip Hop Awards in 2013 and DJ of the Year in 2021.
Source
- African Female Voices
- Essence
- MEFEATER
- Allure
- Briefly
Boitumelo Masihleho is a South African digital content creator. She graduated with a Bachelor of Arts from Rhodes University in Journalism and Media Studies and Politics and International Studies.
She’s an experienced multimedia journalist who is committed to writing balanced, informative and interesting stories on a number of topics. Boitumelo has her own YouTube channel where she shares her love for affordable beauty and lifestyle content.
