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BR: You’ve played a big part in the growth and expansion of Afro-electronic music. What do you think have been some major catalysts of the international expansion of the genre?

Major League DJz: The music has always been there. What has changed is how easily people can discover it. A set recorded in South Africa can reach someone on the other side of the world, and that person can become a fan before we’ve ever played in their city. Platforms like Untitled Audio and Balcony Mix have helped people experience the music alongside the setting, the people and the culture. That connection, together with artists taking these sounds into different clubs and festivals, has helped build audiences beyond home and, most importantly, communities. The power of music to connect people remains the same; how people discover it has evolved.

For someone who has never experienced an Afro-electronic night before, how would you describe the energy in those rooms?

Major League DJz: It’s a feeling you share with everyone around you. The percussion gets you moving, but there’s also a lot of emotion in the melodies and vocals. You can have a moment where the whole room is singing together, then a deeper section where everyone is completely lost in the sound. You don’t need to know every record to feel part of it. Social media has given people a glimpse of that atmosphere, but experiencing the music and community in person is something else. Music connects people wherever they’re from, and part of our job as DJs is to introduce them to something new in that moment.

Afro House, Afro Tech, 3-step and Gqom each have their own rhythmic identity. How do you move between each of these sounds during a set?

Major League DJz: Our sets are centred on Afro House and Afro Tech. We come from a country with a rich range of sounds, so we appreciate those different rhythms, but we’re intentional about our musical direction. When we build a set, we listen for the connections between records, the mood, the bassline and use those to move the room through different levels of energy. We want to tell a story and make the music feel like an experience. That thinking extends to carefully handpicking the full lineup. We see dance music as a family, with sister genres and cousin genres. A record can draw from several influences, which creates connections between sounds. Those connections help us make the transitions feel natural while keeping a clear identity throughout the set.

What opportunities has the global growth of African electronic music created for South African and other African DJs and producers?

Major League DJz: It has opened up more possibilities for artists to build careers internationally while creating from home. There’s room for touring, collaborations, label opportunities and reaching audiences directly. We’re especially excited about what that means for younger producers. There is so much talent that deserves to be heard, and we want to use our platforms to introduce people to those artists and help create opportunities that last beyond one record.

As African electronic music continues to gain international recognition, how do you ensure the history behind these sounds receives the recognition it deserves?

Major League DJz: We have to keep naming the people and places behind the music. That means crediting producers, speaking about the artists who influenced us and making space for them on platforms and lineups. These sounds come from communities, clubs and years of experimentation. As the audience grows, the people who built that foundation should be part of the story and share in the opportunities.

When you perform in a city like Toronto, how do you balance introducing audiences to sounds they may not know with playing music that keeps the dance floor moving?

Major League DJz: We’ve been coming to Toronto for a few years now and have built a community over that time, so our audience knows what to expect from us. In our experience, Toronto audiences know their music and are open to different sounds, which always translates onto the dance Floor. We also trust the music we’ve come to share. A strong record can connect with someone the first time they hear it. We might use a familiar vocal or melody to bring people in, then take them somewhere deeper. That’s one of the best parts of DJing: seeing a room react to a record they didn’t know a few minutes earlier. We want people to enjoy the night and leave with something new to listen to.

How do you see the genre evolving in the next few years, and what are you most excited for?

Major League DJz: We think we’ll hear more individual voices coming through, with producers drawing on their own backgrounds and experimenting with different textures, vocals and rhythms. There’s so much more to explore within African electronic music. We’re excited to develop our own sound further and build platforms where new producers can grow alongside us. We want that growth to create space for a wider range of African talent.

What’s one song that can instantly revive a party that seems dull?

Major League DJz: “Slips Away” by us, for sure. The response to it all summer has been amazing. You can also never go wrong with a classic or the right vocal over the right beat. It’s about knowing the room and choosing your moment. Every good DJ has a few secrets!

What can people expect from your show in Toronto this week?

Major League DJz: We’re definitely looking forward to this one. We love playing in Toronto and reconnecting with the community we’ve built over the years. Expect new music, exclusives, a taste of the sound we’re developing and a carefully curated lineup we think people will love. We want to connect with the room and take everyone with us from the first record to the last. Come ready to dance!

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