“DJs Are No Longer Just Support Acts, They Are Headliners” - Kwamzi

Ghanaian DJ and producer, Kwamzi, is not your typical high-energy, loud personality you’d expect behind the decks. Calm, composed and intentional, the creative is quietly building a global sound rooted in what he calls African electronic music.

Fresh off a standout performance at iMullar SoundSystem’s Energy O2O event, Kwamzi joined Culture Daily to unpack his journey, sound and vision for the future.

Kwamzi’s story begins in 2012, with a simple gift from his father. A computer meant for schoolwork. Instead, it became the foundation of his music career.

“I had this software called Virtual DJ,” he recalls. “I started downloading songs, mixing, just experimenting.”

His curiosity about music production quickly blossomed after watching the Disney film Let It Shine. Inspired, he downloaded Ableton Live and later transitioned to FL Studio, where things began to click.

Despite limited resources at the time, Kwamzi leaned on online tutorials and mentorship from industry producers to refine his sound.

Kwamzi is intentional about how he defines his sound.

“I don’t want to box myself into one genre,” he explains. “I can make Amapiano, Afro house, or anything. So African electronic music just suits me.”

At Mfantsipim School, Kwamzi was already building his reputation.

Every weekend, he took charge of entertainment setting up speakers, controlling the vibe and becoming the go-to DJ among his peers.

“They knew I was going to be big one day,” he says confidently.

In 2017, Kwamzi relocated to London to study computer science juggling academics with music.

“It was all about time management,” he says. “School during the week, music on weekends.”

Initially, his parents were sceptical. Like many African households, education came first. But once music started generating income, the narrative changed.

A major shift in his career came in 2023 when he dropped the “DJ” from his name.

With guidance from his management, the move signalled a transition into a full-fledged artiste.

Kwamzi acknowledges how much DJing has evolved.

“Technology has changed everything,” he says, referencing tools like Serato DJ. Today, DJs are no longer just support acts, they are headliners.

“People can have a full experience just from a DJ set.”