DJ Lag

Lwazi Asanda Gwala, known professionally as DJ Lag, was born in Clermont, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Initially aspiring to become a soccer player, his ambitions were curtailed by an ankle injury. This setback led him to explore music production, with his cousin introducing him to FL Studio. Self-taught in production, DJ Lag began DJing and performed his first gig at Durban's Club Uhuru during a high school graduation event while he was in the 10th grade. He completed his matriculation at Wyebank Secondary School in KwaZulu-Natal.

DJ Lag is widely recognized as a pioneer of gqom, a genre of electronic dance music that emerged in the early 2010s in Durban. His style, referred to locally as "uthayela" (an isiZulu word for "corrugated iron"), is characterized by rough timbres and hard basslines, crafted specifically for club settings. In an innovative move, he released his first EP via WhatsApp, allowing fans to sign up on his website to receive the exclusive EP through the messaging app free of charge.

In late 2016, at the age of 21, DJ Lag made his international debut at the Unsound Festival in Poland, concluding with a performance at Seoul's Cake Shop nearly a month later. Since then, he has performed at Afropunk in New York City, secured a residency at Rinse FM, and embarked on a global tour titled #GqomIsThePresent. His mixes have been featured on BBC Radio 1, including shows by Diplo and Benji B, and he delivered a BBC Radio 1 Essential Mix hosted by Pete Tong. In 2019, DJ Lag was a featured speaker at the Amsterdam Dance Event (ADE).

In 2019, DJ Lag released a six-track EP titled "UHURU" under Diplo's Good Enuff Records, a subsidiary of Mad Decent. The EP paid homage to Durban's Uhuru club, a significant venue where gqom producers like Rudeboyz and Naked Boyz experimented with new techniques before live audiences. That same year, he co-produced "My Power" for Beyoncé's album "The Lion King: The Gift," collaborating with artists such as Tierra Whack, Moonchild Sanelly, Nija, Yemi Alade, and Busiswa. The album received a nomination for Best Pop Vocal Album at the 62nd Annual Grammy Awards. Additionally, DJ Lag curated and hosted an event called "Something for Clermont," encouraging new acts to experiment with sounds contributing to the evolution of the genre. The inaugural event was held in partnership with music broadcaster Boiler Room.

Throughout his career, DJ Lag has collaborated with various artists across different projects. He worked with South African singer Shekhinah on the single "Anywhere We Go," featuring dancer Thami Njoko in the accompanying visuals directed by Kyle Lewis. He also collaborated with New York Flex Dance Music pioneer Epic B on the track "Going Modd," released under the UK label Swing Ting. In 2019, DJ Lag teamed up with choreographer Mette Towley, known for her appearance in N.E.R.D. and Rihanna's "Lemon" music video, to create a visual interpretation of his track "Switz." The project was shot and directed in New York by Bon Duke, with Towley's choreography serving as her response to the communicative power of dance. Furthermore, DJ Lag joined forces with producer Okzharp on the "Steam Rooms" EP, blending South African rhythms with UK club styles to create a musical dialogue between the two regions.

DJ Lag's discography includes several notable EPs and singles. In 2016, he released the "DJ Lag 12" EP" and "Ice Drop EP" under Goon Club Allstars. The following year, he released "Trip to New York" via Black Major, initially distributing it through WhatsApp. In 2018, he collaborated with DJ Vumar and Biggie on the single "Jika," released under Ice Drop Records, and with Epic B on "Going Modd," released by Swing Ting Records. That same year, he released the "Stampit 12" EP" under Goon Club Allstars. In 2019, DJ Lag collaborated with Okzharp on the single "Nyusa," released by Hyperdub, and the "Steam Rooms" EP under the same label. He also released the "Uhuru EP" under Good Enuff and collaborated with Shekhinah on the single "Anywhere We Go," released by Parametric Records.

DJ Lag's innovative approach to music distribution and his contributions to the global recognition of gqom have solidified his status as a trailblazer in the South African electronic dance music scene. His collaborations with international artists and performances at prestigious festivals have further cemented his influence in the global music industry.