After releasing her debut video dubbed Wape two weeks ago, DJ Pierra Makena has become a hot sell across the continent and abroad. She joins a league of elite African female DJs who are now giving male decks masters a run for their money.
Zinhle Jiyane aka DJ Zinhle
Arguably one of the respected spinners from down south, she became the first DJ to release a house compilation in South Africa to set the ball in motion. A resident DJ on the popular show Jika Majika as well as radio host on Y FM radio, the 31-year old has also had a lucky stint on TV as a presenter, appearing on popular TV series like Rhythm City. Dating popular Nigerian rapper AKA for three years now, their private affair has sparked interest as they are now expecting their first child. Nominated as one of the 300 ‘young people you have to take to lunch’ by the Mail and Guardian, she is a successful co-owner of a DJ school and bracelet label called Ebra.
Deshnie Govender aka DJ Roxxi
The Indian-born, South Africa-raised DJ was a nominee in the first Global Spin Awards (also known as the DJ Grammys) in 2012. The self-taught DJ who got exposure at her mother’s club would eventually choose her passion for music, dropping out of university while studying journalism in her second year. Popular for hip-hop, house and electro mixes, the 31-year-old, who doubles up as a songwriter, actress and TV personality, made another first by becoming the first female DJ in South Africa to have a number one single titled Away in collaboration with Nic Billington, a fellow artiste and friend.
DJ Lady Lea
Ranked as one of the most booked DJs in South Africa, having had over 20 residences and at one point being a guest at almost every club in South Africa, she is known for her blend of old and new sounds, which create unique house sets. She is well-travelled and is known for her crazy hair styles. She is the brains behind Divas on Decks, a female DJ agency that was launched in 2009.
Florence Otedola aka DJ Cuppy
The Lagos-born beauty will typically do a hip-hop set featuring her favourite rapper Jay Z. Currently undertaking her Masters in Music Business at New York City University, she is enviably an intern at Roc Nation. With over seven years of experience, she has headlined major clubs in Lagos and London and made appearances in other big cities too. She has featured in several magazines including Forbes Woman Africa.
Kehinde Olatunde aka DJ Soupamodel
One of the leading Nigerian-American spinners, she is well known amongst entertainers in America especially since she is T-Pain’s official DJ. A music producer as well, she is heralded for bringing a new genre of music she calls ‘Afro-EDM’. She is currently the CEO of MusicBlvdGroup, a full service music production company.
DJ Nyce
As a fast rising DJ in Ghana, she managed to beat reputable names to scoop the Female DJ of the Year award at the 2015 Ghana DJ Awards adding to her other major accomplishments.
Nana Kessewa Adu aka DJ Kess
An entertainment TV host and radio DJ on Y FM, the Ghanaian, popular for her boyish swag has been spinning professionally for nine years now. While representing Ghana in the Big Brother Africa 2011 edition in South Africa, she put her name on the map by rocking the house with her great mixes, paving way for more shows the world over.
DJ Karo
What started as a joke with her sharing her playlist on social media, something she terms her ‘Twitter Friday Playlist’, roused an interest in the Ugandan-born DJ who then decided to take the art seriously.
Yemi Fisseha aka DJ Yemi
Yemi may possibly be the first and only club DJ in Ethiopia. After returning home from America a few years, landing gigs was a challenged until her breakthrough came from house parties and small gatherings that eventually got everyone interested.
