Shimza (real name Kholofelo Ashley Raphala) is a South African DJ, music producer and founder of the KUNYE label. He grew up in Thembisa, Gauteng. His music is primarily associated with Afro House and Afro-Tech, combining South African rhythmic traditions with house, tech house and techno.
Shimza is known for technically intensive DJ sets, active use of effects and a strongly percussive sound. His discography includes the album Shimuzic, a series of club-oriented EPs and collaborations with Elderbrook, CamelPhat, Aloe Blacc, Prince Kaybee, Black Motion, Ami Faku, Kasango, AR/CO, Topic, A7S and other artists.
Alongside his own music, Shimza created the One Man Show festival, the television project Lockdown House Party, the KUNYE label and live platform, and the Shimza & Co party series.
Thembisa and an early interest in music
Shimza grew up in Thembisa, a major township northeast of Johannesburg. In South Africa in the early 2000s, house music held an important place not only in clubs but also in mainstream music culture.
Among his early influences were Vinny Da Vinci and DJ Christos’ Deep House Sounds compilations, Oskido’s Church Grooves series, mixes by Glen Lewis and DJ Fresh, and broadcasts on youth radio station YFM.
American deep house and soulful house coexisted in South Africa with kwaito, local club music and the country’s own rhythmic traditions.
Shimza became interested in DJing at around the age of fifteen. He has recalled hearing familiar tracks played by local DJs in an unfamiliar sequence and becoming fascinated by the actual technique of working with music.
Among the first DJs he learned from were DJ Khomza, Mphikzo, Thende and Sizwe.
The stage name Shimza dates back to his school years: the future musician used to write the name on his backpack with a marker.
He spent a great deal of time practising at home, recording his own sets and analysing mistakes in his transitions. Precise mixing and highly active use of the mixer later became some of the most recognizable features of his performances.
DJ competitions
Shimza’s first significant recognition came through DJ competitions.
In 2006, he won the Red Square DJ Knockout Challenge. In 2008, he won the television competition Next Big Thing on Channel O.
In the final performances, he combined a cappellas with deep house, tech house and electronic music.
After Next Big Thing, Shimza began performing more frequently outside Thembisa, touring across Gauteng, Durban and other parts of South Africa.
He later worked with YFM and received his own mix segment on Oskido’s I Believe show on national radio station Metro FM.
One Man Show
In 2009, Shimza launched One Man Show.
Despite the title, the event was never literally a solo performance. Shimza remained at the centre of the programme but invited other prominent DJs and performers to appear alongside him.
The first One Man Show events were held in Thembisa at Christmas.
Over the years, participants have included Oskido, DJ Kent, Black Coffee, Black Motion, AKA, Cassper Nyovest, Riky Rick, Mi Casa, DJ Maphorisa, Kabza De Small and many other South African artists.
Part of the proceeds went toward school uniforms, educational programmes and other forms of support for the local community.
Over time, One Man Show developed into a major annual event, while separate editions of the project also began taking place outside South Africa.
First studio work
Shimza began seriously recording his own music after meeting producer Cuebur, whose real name is Nicholas Mboweni.
They met around 2008–2009 and worked in Reason. The musicians tested new material during Sunday performances at Joe's Butchery in Alexandra.
One of their early collaborations was the almost-lost track «Tiba».
In 2011, Shimza released a remix of 340ml — «I'll Be Back», which received support within the South African house scene.
Another early club track to attract attention was «Orujo», built around a pronounced percussive foundation.
Soulistic Music and Shimuzic
In 2013, Shimza joined Soulistic Music, the label associated with Black Coffee.
His debut full-length album, Shimuzic, was released in 2015.
The record contains 13 tracks and features contributions from Cuebur, BK, Afrikan Roots, Zano, Heavy-K, Soulstar and Dr Malinga.
Among its best-known songs are «African Woman», «Akulalwa» with Dr Malinga, «Friends With Benefits», «Looking For Love», «All The Way», «Igama Lami» and «The One Man Show».
The album combines Afro House, soulful house, vocal performances and dense South African dance rhythms.
In 2016, Shimza released the five-track One Man Show EP. It included «Party Ka Shimza» with Busiswa and Thakzin, «Congo Congo», the Enoo Napa collaboration «Uprising» and new versions of material from Shimuzic.
Ibiza and European touring
In 2016, Shimza performed in Ibiza for the first time, appearing at the season closing event at Destino alongside Luciano.
As European touring became more regular, tech house and techno began to occupy a larger place in his sets. His studio sound also evolved: the dense percussion characteristic of South African house increasingly combined with heavier kicks, synthesizer parts and the club dynamics of European venues.
The African rhythmic foundation nevertheless remained intact. This combination gradually became one of the defining features of Shimza’s Afro-Tech period.
Ascendent and Cadenza
In 2017, Shimza released the Ascendent EP on the Swiss label Cadenza, founded by Luciano.
The release contained four tracks: «Congo Congo», its dub version, «Secret Melodies» and «Selector».
The same period also saw the release of Destino EP, while Shimza’s touring expanded to New York, London, Paris, Berlin, Amsterdam, Manchester and other cities.
In 2018, he continued performing in Ibiza, including at Privilege.
Eminence
In 2019, Shimza returned to Cadenza with the six-track Eminence EP.
The title track combines percussion with synthesizer arpeggios. «Dancefloor Keeper» moves closer to trance and techno, while «Warrant For Arrest» is built around a hard kick and short, tense synthesizer signals.
On «Kunye», recorded with Kususa, electronic textures are combined with African rhythm.
Compared with his earlier vocal material, Shimza’s music in this period became harder, more minimal and increasingly oriented toward large club spaces.
Shimza’s DJ technique
A substantial part of Shimza’s reputation is built on his performances behind the decks.
He makes extensive use of loops, EQ, echo, reverb, short rhythmic cuts, sudden volume changes and combinations of multiple effects.
The effects are usually integrated directly into the rhythm. Shimza can turn a transition between two tracks into a separate percussive passage, constantly reshaping the sound of the track already playing.
This performance style earned him the nicknames Effect Master and Vinyl Assassin.
«Uwrongo»
At the beginning of 2020, «Uwrongo» was released by Prince Kaybee, Shimza, Black Motion and singer Ami Faku.
The song reached number one on the South African radio chart and received gold certification.
The track uses a full vocal song structure while retaining an instrumental foundation rooted in Afro House.
Lockdown House Party
During the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, Shimza organized a series of online DJ performances.
The first Quarantine Online Party attracted around 135,000 views within a few hours and drew the attention of television channel Channel O.
The project was subsequently developed into a television format called Lockdown House Party, hosted by Shimza and DJ PH.
Performers included DJ Maphorisa, Kabza De Small, Black Motion, DJ Zinhle, DBN Gogo and other representatives of the South African scene.
KUNYE
In July 2020, Shimza performed an online set on Robben Island, where Nelson Mandela had been imprisoned during the apartheid era. The performance was held in connection with Mandela Day.
Around the same period, he launched KUNYE — a record label, event series and media platform dedicated to African electronic music.
The word Kunye means «together».
Artists released and featured on the platform have included Thakzin, Bun Xapa, Vanco, Thandi Draai, Darque and others.
KUNYE events have taken place in South Africa, Nairobi, London and Paris.
Calling Out Your Name
In 2020, Shimza released the Calling Out Your Name EP.
He recorded the title track with vocalist Mikhaela Faye.
The release contains four versions of the track, combining melodic vocals with dense Afro-Tech rhythms.
Releases from 2021 to 2023
In 2021, Kimberley EP was released on Cadenza. The same year brought «Fight to Love» and «Kethiwe» with Darque and Sino Msolo.
In 2022, Shimza released «Howling Moon» with Kieran Fowkes and «Higher» with Nobuhle.
In 2023, he released «That Organ Track», «Embers» with CamelPhat and Julia Church, as well as a remix of the amapiano hit «Mnike».
2024: Places, Darling, BADO and Dreaming
In 2024, Shimza released several international collaborations.
With British musician Elderbrook, he recorded «Places», which appeared on the album Another Touch. The track combines Elderbrook’s vocals with a softer Afro-Tech rhythmic foundation.
He released «Darling» with Aloe Blacc and «Parachute» with Rachel Chinouriri.
Together with CamelPhat and Kenyan vocalist Idd Aziz, Shimza released «BADO».
In September, he performed for Cercle at the historic Citadel of Sisteron in France. The performance was accompanied by the release of «Citadelle» with Maline Aura on Cercle Records.
In October, the four-track Dreaming EP was released on KUNYE.
The title track features DJ Vitoto and Zano, while «Ain't It Amazing» features Manana, «2 Step» features Kabza De Small and DJ Vitoto, and «Euphoria» features Jnr SA.
On Dreaming, Afro-Tech sits alongside amapiano, 3-step, vocal tracks and softer forms of electronic music.
«Fire Fire» and Shimza & Co
In 2025, Shimza released «Fire Fire» with South African producer Kasango and British-Australian duo AR/CO.
In March 2026, the track received the Afrohouse Song of the Year award at the Electronic Dance Music Awards in Miami.
2025 also brought «Skill of Love» with Alex Wann.
That summer, Shimza launched his own Shimza & Co residency at Chinois in Ibiza.
The parties took place on Fridays throughout August. The line-ups included Dennis Ferrer, Kitty Amor, Arodes, Antdot, Zakes Bantwini, Alex Wann and other artists.
Pacha Ibiza and 2026 releases
In 2026, Shimza & Co moved to a residency at Pacha Ibiza. The series ran on Thursdays from April 30 through June 18.
Line-ups included DJ Tennis, RY X, Arodes, Culoe De Song, Kasango, Damian Lazarus, Tyla and other performers.
In January 2026, Shimza and Elderbrook released their second collaborative track, «Falling».
In February came «No Shape Without You» with LevyM, followed in March by «Missing You» with Topic and A7S.
On April 17, 2026, Shimza released an official remix of «ALGO TÚ» by Shakira and Beéle. He reworked the track into Afro House, and an extended club version of the remix followed on May 1.
Sunset in Pretoria
On June 19, 2026, the three-track Sunset in Pretoria EP was released on KUNYE.
The title track was recorded with Demayä. «Uma Wami» features Jnr SA and Thatohatsi, while the closing track is titled «Entle».
The release combines Afro-Tech with the more melodic and vocal side of Shimza’s music.
Karma Karma Radio
Shimza also produces his own radio show, Karma Karma Radio.
The programme features Afro House, Afro-Tech and related styles of electronic music, including new and as-yet-unreleased tracks.
The show is distributed through international radio syndication and airs, among other stations, on South Africa’s YFM and Minatrix.FM. In August 2026, Karma Karma Radio reached its 100th episode; the anniversary edition featured a Shimza set recorded at Scorpios in Mykonos.
Shimza’s musical style
Shimza’s early recordings were closely connected to South African deep house, tribal house and Afro House. They are characterized by warm bass, dense percussion, extended vocal passages and relatively smooth development.
After he began touring Europe regularly, his sound became harder. Tracks incorporated heavier kicks, short synthesizer motifs, tense breakdowns and elements of techno and tech house.
In Shimza’s contemporary material, syncopated African percussion sits alongside melodic house & techno and European club production.
Rhythm nevertheless remains the central element in most of his recordings, whether in instrumental club tracks or songs featuring vocalists.
Connection to the South African scene
Despite his international touring schedule, a large part of Shimza’s work remains closely connected to South Africa.
One Man Show continues to take place in Thembisa, KUNYE releases music by African artists, and Shimza’s own recordings regularly feature Black Motion, Kabza De Small, Kasango, Jnr SA, Darque, Thakzin and other representatives of the local scene.
KUNYE and Shimza & Co also function as platforms for joint appearances by South African and international electronic artists.
Main Shimza releases
- 2015 — Shimuzic
- 2016 — One Man Show
- 2017 — Ascendent
- 2017 — Destino EP
- 2019 — Eminence
- 2020 — Calling Out Your Name
- 2021 — Kimberley
- 2024 — Dreaming
- 2026 — Sunset in Pretoria
Selected tracks
«Orujo», «African Woman», «Akulalwa», «Kunye», «Uwrongo», «Kethiwe», «Higher», «That Organ Track», «Embers», «Darling», «Places», «BADO», «Citadelle», «Fire Fire», «Falling» and «Missing You».
One Man Show, KUNYE and Shimza & Co
Shimza’s projects have developed in parallel with his own discography.
One Man Show has existed since 2009 as a concert and charity event in Thembisa. KUNYE combines a record label, events and a media platform dedicated to African electronic music. Shimza & Co has developed into an international club series with residencies in Ibiza.
Through these projects, Shimza regularly works as an organizer and curator, bringing together artists from different generations and different branches of Afro House, Afro-Tech and the contemporary house scene.
