In a bid to celebrate the growing number of female representations in the disc jockey industry, we have carefully highlighted a list of our top 10 female DJs in Africa. These women have defied the gender stereotypes attributed to the DJ scene, a world typically dominated by men, and have established themselves as revered DJs in their respective countries, Africa, and the wider globe. With exceptional technical skills, capacity to entertain, accomplishments, and contributions to the industry, they continue to be living inspirations to dreamer girl children.
See below our Top 10 African Femal DJs list and share your thoughts.
10. Lisney (Kenya)
DJ Lisney is one of Kenya’s top female DJs, having performed sets at numerous clubs, shows, and concerts across Kenya. Lisney was thrust into the national spotlight during a television program. Her revolutionary work of skills behind the mixing equipment has seen her rise in popularity. She founded the collective ‘Deejay of Elite Sounds’, a successful event company with a team of renown deejays in the industry.
9. Mamie (Tanzania)
Born and raised in Mwanza, Tanzania, Mariam Lushita, professionally known as DJ Mamie, began her DJ career after she met DJ AllyB and joined his college for DJing. In 2020, she became the resident DJ at EFM, where she played full-time, thrilling listeners across Tanzania. She later moved to Wasafi FM after WCB CEO Diamond Platnumz shared her videos on his Instagram account. With palpable dedication, Mamie quickly grew into one of Tazania’s most remarkable DJs and began performing at concerts and shows. On March 8, 2023, Mamie won the Female DJ of the Year at the Orange Awards. In 2022, she became the first female DJ to receive the title of ‘Best Female DJ of the Year” after the category was introduced in the Tanzania Music Awards.
8. Switch (Ghana)
DJ Switch Ghana is a young talented Ghanaian DJ who reportedly got her name from her ability to change people’s moods from sad to happy. Switch, born Erica Armah Bra-Bulu Tandoh, began her career when she was seven years old. As her DJ career progressed, she attracted the attention of numerous people, including DJ Khaled and Wyclef Jean. In 2019, Roc Nation recognised Switch’s abilities and showcased her on their social media for Black History Month. She won DJ of the Year and Best Female DJ at the 2019 Ghana DJ Awards.
7. Alba Nvlo (Namibia)
DJ Alba Nalo, born Alba Hamukwaya, is one of Namibia’s finest disc jockeys and music producers. After co-hosting a late-night mix show in 2012, Nalo started taking DJ’ing seriously, winning a DJ competition hosted by 99FM and Amarula in 2014. She was selected as a mentor DJ for an all-female DJ workshop in collaboration with the British Council. DJ Alba Nalo continues to evolve in the DJ landscape and creative scene at large, as she recently launched an accessories line under her creative house called House of Nalo.
6. Nana (Nigeria)
After competing with both her male and female peers, DJ Nana emerged as the winner of the “Airtel/Barcaddi Cool FM” DJ Competition. She subsequently underwent tutelage under the legendary DJ Jimmy Jatt. Following the early years, DJ Nana’s career has only soared as she collaborated with several artists, like Omawunmi, performed at several events and shows, and is currently the official DJ at Naija 102.7 FM. She was once nominated for the AGDA Awards in South Africa under the category of Best Female DJ.
5. Kess (Ghana)
DJ Kess began her career when her secondary school acquired a set of turntables. She moved on to performing at small clubs, eventually working her way up to major events and festivals. With a powerful ear for sound, Kess has continually displayed deftness for over thirteen years and is the resident DJ at the popular Ghanian radio station Y 107.9 FM. She also performed a set at the reality TV show Big Brother Africa.
4. Dope Caesar (Nigeria)
Since a video of her performance at Obi’s House where she mixed Brick & Lace’s ‘Love is Wicked’ and Victony’s ‘Soweto’ went viral, Dope Caesar continues to prove she has one more in the tank. And this has played a big role in her stratospheric rise over the last few years, as it’s become nearly impossible not to find viral Dope Caesar transition videos on your social media. Born Sarah Oboh, Dope Caesar’s journey began in 2017 when she discovered a controller in her father’s room and decided to explore. With each practice and getting inspired by DJ Puffy from Barbados, among many others, she progressed from knowing nothing about DJing to being an experienced DJ. On the 4th of October, Dope Caesar released her debut single, ‘Pop Sermon’ featuring Fave and rap duo Ajebo Hustlers.
3. TxC (South Africa)
TxC is a dynamic DJ and performed duo comprised of Tarryn and Claudia’s from South Africa. Keen on representing Amapiano on the global stage, the duo have contributed their quota by pushing the boundaries of the sound on and off social media with their gold-selling records like ‘Too Deep featuring Dinky Kunene’ and ‘Turn off the Lights.”
As global ambassadors of the Amapiano genre, TxC have toured several cities across the globe and performed at top international music festivals and events such as Afronation Detroit, Zeenation Fest, Red Bull Dance, aprtment life, and so on.
2. Cuppy (Nigeria)
Florence Otedola, creatively known as DJ Cuppy, began her DJ’ing career in 2014 as the resident DJ at the MTV Africa Music Awards in Durban. She then went on to release her first compilation and EDM-esque mix, ‘House of Cuppy,’ in July 2014. On 24 August 2020, she unveiled her debut album, ‘Original Copy’. Born to billionaire Nigerian billionaire businessman and philanthropist Femi Otedola, Cuppy chose to follow her passion as DJ and is today considered a key player in the industry. She partnered with Apple Music to launch their first radio show in Africa.
1. Uncle Waffles (South Africa)
Uncle Waffles, dubbed the “Princess of Amapiano” for her enormous contribution to the genre and her entertaining dance abilities. Before becoming a successful DJ, Uncle Waffles worked as a television presenter on Eswatini TV’s Studio 1 and was introduced to DJing by a friend who worked at the studio in 2020 before quitting in January 2022. She claimed to have practiced eight hours each day in 2020 during the COVID-19 lockdown. Waffles sprang to notoriety after a video of her dancing to the song “Adiwele” during her set went viral, and she has been on a steady rise since then. Uncle Waffles released her debut single “Tazania” in March 2022, which reached number one in South Africa and was certified 7x platinum. She received the Best DJ Africa award at the “African Muzik Magazine Awards” in 2022, the Woman of the Year award at the 2023 GQ Men of the Year Awards, and a nomination for Best International Act at the “BET Awards.”
