Introduced last year, Smirnoff’s Storm Room is back at the world’s biggest electronic dance music festival this March, with a mission to take the global phenomenon of Amapiono and Afro-Tech to new heights!
Star The DJ emerged as one of the top four finalists who made it through the competition phases of the Smirnoff Storm DJ Search, and then mentored by DJ icons Roger Goode and Kyle Cassim. Star The DJ won the competition through public vote.
From George in the Western Cape, Star the DJ is a skilled practitioner in Mash Up, masterfully mixing genres including Amapiano, Hip Hop, Pop, Afro House, Melodic House, Tech House and Gqom, all of which will be on show at the Storm Room at Ultra SA in Joburg, which is dedicated to taking Amapiano and Afro-Tech music & culture to new heights.
“The Smirnoff Storm DJ Search has been an incredible journey and I’m humbled to be playing in front of fans at one of SA’s foremost dance music stages and being at the same festival with the likes of DBN Gogo, Kabza de Small, Skrillex, Steve Aoki and Afrojack. It means so much that I have am here because of what I have done before, but I’m ready to take the next, vital step in my career. I can’t wait to be on the Storm Room Stage at Ultra,” said Star The DJ.
The DJ Search comes on the back of South African music, and Amapiano specifically, becoming an international phenomenon, helping to reshape the global dance music scene. The Smirnoff Storm Room line-up at Ultra South Africa presents some of SA’s best proponents of the genre, including Kabza de Small, Kelvin Momo, Tyler ICU, Musa Keys, Thakzin and DBN Gogo.
Known for her trailblazing contributions to the vibrant realm of Amapiano, DBN Gogo’s recent EP release, “Click Bait”, is a masterful blend of boundary-pushing rhythmic genius and innovative sound design that trended on X on the day of its release.
Amapiano maestro, Kabza De Small, meanwhile, continues to push the boundaries of South African dance music with his track featuring Mthunzi, titled “Imithandazo”, becoming a big hit both locally & internationally. Kabza also walked away with four SAMA Awards last year, including Best Duo/Group with DJ Maphorisa.
In addition to the Smirnoff Storm Room stage in Johannesburg, exciting immersive experiences will be available to Ultra SA festival goers both in Cape Town and Johannesburg, including a gaming zone, chill space to charge phones and photo opportunities to name a few.
“With Amapiano and African music enjoying such a significant moment in global cultural trends, we are thrilled to once again be given the chance to enable South African music culture, bring new talent to the fore and be part of an event that truly unites all with the common love of dance music,” says Smirnoff South Africa Marketing Manager, Nicole Smith.
For tickets go to UltraSouthAfrica.com/tickets.
#UltraSA2024 is proudly presented by #SmirnoffStorm #UltraSAxStorm
SMIRNOFF STORM ROOM – FULL LINE-UP:
- DBN Gogo
- Kabza de Small
- Kelvin Momo
- Tyler ICU
- Oscar Mbo
- Musa Keys
- 2wo Bunnies
- Thakzin
- Sio
- Lelowhatsgood
- Star The DJ (Smirnoff Storm DJ Search Winner)