So you’ve realised that every cool kid you know is into EDM now, and you’d also like to check it out but you don’t know where to begin. Don’t worry, we’re here to help.
This is what you should do.
Step 1: Start with the electronic edits of songs you already know
The easiest entry point is through familiar vocals flipped into late-night club weapons. You don’t need to dive into underground German-South African tech labels just yet. Instead, look for how electronic pioneers reinvent mainstream hits.
- The Blueprint: Listen to Maradona by Niniola or Sarz and DJ Tunez’s classic “Get Up” (feat. Flash), considered foundational texts of Nigerian afrohouse.
- The Modern Edits: Check out Sigag Lauren’s stellar electronic remix of Ayra Starr’s “Memories” or his cross-border collaboration on LADIPOE and Aluna’s “Jaiye” (Aluna & Sigag Lauren Remix). Hearing a voice you love riding a driving, electronic rhythm is exactly how the genre hooks you.
- The Ones That Found You: Tracks like “Bengicela” and “uValo” are already being played everywhere: radio, malls, etc. Shazam them, listen, and listen to whatever your algorithm puts up next.
Step 2: Build a foundational playlist with the real heavy hitters
Now that your ear is adjusted, it’s time to build a proper playlist. You need a mix of the South African giants who are worshipped in Lagos clubs and the local architects holding down the home front.
Anchor your playlist with these essential tracks:
- “Don’t You Worry Child” by Swedish House Mafia: An emotional, stadium-sized anthem that bridges massive festival energy with unforgettable progressive hooks.
- “Gorah” by Nitefreak: The Zimbabwean producer whose tracks are standard peak-hour protocol at any Lagos house night.
- “Not The Same” by Nitefreak (specifically the Black Coffee Remix).
- “Titanium” by David Guetta (featuring Sia): A massive, synth-driven festival anthem that perfectly captures the golden era of vocal electronic pop.
- “Drive” or “Superman” by Black Coffee: The absolute deity of the genre whose global catalog sets the standard.
- “Inbox Riddim” or “Celetronic Riddim” by Sarz: Pure, unfiltered drum-and-synth madness from Nigeria’s greatest producer.
- “Fokasibe” by Naija House Mafia (featuring Sigag Lauren & DJ Zeez): A high-energy track bridging nostalgic local street pop with modern house formatting.
Step 3: Go academic, learn the subgenres
This is the ultimate test of cultural literacy. EDM is a massive umbrella. There is Afro-House (which is African-flavoured), Melodic House (soulful, emotional, and floating), Deep House (moody, bass-heavy, and underground), Progressive House (melodic, sweeping, and designed for massive festival mainstages), and Tech House (punchy, groove-driven, and minimalist). There are also DJs experimenting with related sounds that don’t even have names yet.
Step 4: Follow the right selectors
This genre is driven by DJ culture. The tracks are just raw ingredients; the magic is in how a master chef cuts them together. Stop looking for individual radio singles and start seeking out full, continuous live sets.
Go to Spotify, YouTube, or Apple Music and stream full live sets from your favourite DJs. The architecture of a continuous two-hour set is where the music actually makes sense.
Step 5: Attend a rave
It’s fun enough listening to EDM through your phone speakers or in your car while sitting in traffic, but you should also try a physical rave experience.
Throw away your standard club expectations. There is no sudden Afrobeats “drop” coming, and no hypeman is going to scream over the track. Instead, the rave forces you to surrender to a continuous, building sonic journey..
Step 6: Preach it to the uninitiated
You’ve done the work, cleared your FOMO, and fully crossed over. Now comes the fun part: you get to be the obsessed one. You’re the person sending unsolicited links at midnight, gently correcting your friends when they mislabel a beat, and eyeing the house party aux cord like a tactical weapon. Welcome to the culture.
Photo credit: John Amaraa
Leave a Reply