DJ LAG

South Africa's DJ Lag is to gqom what Frankie Knuckles is to house. An early pioneer of the raw, minimal and bass-heavy style since the 2010s, he has popularised it around the world with a wealth of solo EPs and high-profile collaborations, including work with Beyoncé and Tyla. His second album, The Rebellion, ushered in a new era that embraced Afro tech, amapiano, drill and hip-hop. His sets are widescreen showcases of his musical world, Afro-centric but roaming from silky, deep jams to crisp metallic steppers via warped dub, always with an empowering energy that makes you puff your chest and put your best foot forward. He played Dekmantel Festival in 2022 and has recorded a mix for the Dekmantel series.