DJ Lag Announces Electrifying Mixtape “Southside” Ahead of November 14 Release
Internationally acclaimed South African producer and DJ, DJ Lag, is set to release his highly anticipated mixtape Southside on November 14. Known globally as the “Gqom King,” Lag continues to redefine South Africa’s electronic soundscape, following the success of hits like “GQTech” with Ape Drums and the viral anthem “Woza.” His new project promises to deliver an even more dynamic and boundary-pushing sound.
Ahead of the full release, DJ Lag dropped his third single, “WaWaWa,” featuring DJknator and Thobeka, on October 30. The track captures the vibrant energy of a night out, filled with rhythm, confidence, and unity. Reuniting with Thobeka—who delivered fiery vocals on the 2023 hit “Yebo”—and teaming up with DJknator, Lag delivers an electrifying dance track that blends power and precision. “Thobeka always brings fire vocals, and DJknator added a fresh spark to the beat. I hope people vibe with it as much as we did,” says DJ Lag. Thobeka echoes his excitement, adding, “Collaborating with DJ Lag is always a dream, and this one’s going to light up the dance floor.”
The upcoming Southside mixtape is a sonic journey through Durban’s rhythm and spirit. Building on the acclaim of his previous project The Rebellion, the 12-track collection pays homage to Lag’s hometown while exploring the evolution of South African dance music. The project fuses Gqom, 3-Step, and Afro-Tech into a seamless blend that highlights Lag’s ability to push genre boundaries. Tracks like “NgyaSindelwa” and “WaWaWa” bring explosive club energy, while “Shona Malanga” offers a melodic pause. The mixtape also revisits Lag’s unique Gqom-Amapiano hybrid sound on “NgyaGowa,” showing how the artist continues to innovate within South Africa’s fast-changing music scene.
Southside features a powerhouse lineup of collaborators, including DJ Maphorisa, Vigro Deep, Sir Trill, Ape Drums, Jay Music, and K.C Driller. Each artist contributes to a diverse and global sound that reinforces Lag’s position as a leader in modern dance music.
DJ Lag’s influence extends far beyond South Africa. His work has earned a Metro FM Award nomination for “Hade Boss,” a SAMA nomination for “Meeting with the King,” and a feature on Beyoncé’s GRAMMY-nominated album The Lion King: The Gift. His multi-platinum hit “The Re-Up” surpassed 20 million streams, solidifying his international appeal. Mixmag hailed him as “one of the best ambassadors for dance music in the world,” while DJ Mag praised him as “a pioneering force in Gqom’s global explosion.” His latest album, The Rebellion, earned another SAMA nomination, confirming his status as one of South Africa’s most consistent and forward-thinking artists.
Currently on a world tour, DJ Lag has brought his electrifying performances to major festivals, including EDC Las Vegas, Ultra South Africa, DC10 Ibiza, Glastonbury, Amsterdam Dance Event, and Rocking the Daisies. Upcoming shows at Rage in the City and Beneath the Baobabs will continue to showcase his global dominance.
“With Southside, I wanted to celebrate where I’m from while showing where the sound is going,” Lag explains. “It’s for the people who’ve been with me from the start—and for everyone discovering the movement for the first time.”
Southside Tracklist
- NgyaSindelwa ft. Zee Nxumalo, K.C Driller
- GQTECH ft. Ape Drums
- Wa’Wa’Wa ft. DJknator, Thobeka
- Native Sound ft. Jay Music
- Woza ft. Sir Trill, Sykes
- Yey’Wena ft. Vigro Deep, K.C Driller
- Shona Malanga ft. Argento Dust, Natasha MD, K.C Driller
- RSVP ft. DJknator
- WTF
- Detroit Rave ft. NovaBoy
- Beast
- NgyaGowa ft. DJ Maphorisa, Xduppy, SjavasDaDeejay, 2woshort, K.C Driller, Stompiiey
Southside arrives on all streaming platforms on November 14, promising to deliver the next evolution of DJ Lag’s groundbreaking sound and cementing his title as one of Africa’s most influential producers.
