Meet Doowap. She’s a live mix DJ and selector based in Johannesburg whose multi-genre sets have energised dance floors around the world. But there’s more to her than just high-octane groove.
She makes her own music too, bringing an intrepid mix of amapiano, kwaito, electronica and Afro-House that is redefining the genre of Bacardi.
Barcadi finds its origins in the pioneering work of late musical artist, DJ Spoko. Spoko was heavily influenced by Shangaan electro, a dance movement and musical style born from a reboot of local folk traditions during the early 2000’s in South African townships, specifically Limpopo, where sub-genres like Tsonga Disco and kwaito-house were being heavily circulated.
But speaking about DJ Spoko can’t be without mention of Nojinza. His contributions to the landscape of South African dance are widely unrecognised, but in reality, he is credited as the founder of Shangaan electro, a style that now leaves an indelible mark on the colourful tones of Bacardi.
Created primarily for dance, Nozinja’s productions pushed the speed of kwaito tracks up to 190bpm, placing less focus on bass in favour of footwork. A harder, faster, electronic version of traditional Tsonga music, characterised by fluid guitar lines and kinetic drumming.
Described as “a footwork-y highlife sound” by Red Bull Media House’s writer Chris Parkin, Shangaan electro (also called Tsonga electro) silently expanded the South African dance scene. The genre found particular kinship with forward thinking electronic producers in the UK, including the likes of Caribou, The Knife, Mount Kimbie and Pearson Sound.
DJs like Theo Parrish, Ricardo Villalobos and Hype Williams even went on to remix underground Shangaan tracks, while Dan Snaith’s Jiaolong label (Caribou, Daphni) put out two exclusive Nojinza cuts in 2013. One year later, UK-based label SHANGAANBANG appeared, the first label to specialise exclusively in Shangaan electro.
Spoko studied sound engineering under Nozinja, drawing influence from his raw, danceable approach to beat-making, and Doowap now takes this groundwork as a major source of inspiration.
Her percussive beats combined with pop-synth melodies sometimes echo the vibrant energy of township pop, whilst at other times, they are dark and heady, making for a dynamic sound that is wildly exciting.
If you look at the genre of Bacardi right now, it’s almost as fast-growing as amapiano was four or five years ago – even thought it has been around for much longer. With its own tempo and its own unique rhythms, there’s a raw, danceable energy to Bacardi that embraces the joy of letting go, and only now does it seem like it’s getting the recognition it deserves.
Doowap’s latest high-energy single, “Shay’sthombe”, produced by Bacardi legend Enny Man Da, and featuring Ok.Mulaa and Don Tella, is inspired by the club lifestyle — popping bottles, drawing attention, and ultimately finding freedom in dance. A groovy, energising track that makes you want to move.
She shares, “This song is a first look into the dynamic and exciting music I’ve been crafting. It’s rooted in the rich culture and energy South Africa has to offer, and sets the tone for what’s to come for Bacardi.”
With an innovative fusion of sound, Doowap’s beats are undeniably pulsating, her melodies equally as infectious, and she’s confident that Bacardi is now poised to go global.
