The Deep Root Tribe Return: Art Basel 2024 Edition

Shimza

Magic on the Rooftop: Shimza's Epic Set and a Surprise from Black Coffee

GQ South Africa Talks with Shimza: From Local DJ to Afro House Ambassador

United States

The Knockdown Center

How Shimza Manages to Satisfy the Crowd's Demands

How Shimza's Kunye Records Came to Life

How Shimza Got His Start as a DJ

South Africa

south african house

south african pop

10 Shimza Tracks You Should Know

5 Must-Hear Tracks from Shimza's Label, Kunye Records

Shimza Proves his Status as a Leading Afro-House DJ with a Defected Mix

Shimza: “You Need to be Positive About Everything that You Do”

How Shimza Invests in His Community

How Shimza Became the First DJ to Play on Robben Island

7 Dance Music Artists Using their Platform for Philanthropy

Afro-tech powerhouse Shimza returns to New York on April 3rd for a highly anticipated edition of 

, hosted inside the Knockdown Center. Known for its massive industrial layout, soaring ceilings, glass details, and epic soundset, the venue is built for full-sensory dance experiences. The production, the energy, the sound—none of it changes. We’re just bringing it indoors, and turning it up.

Fire Fire

If you were there last September under the K Bridge, you already know how deep this can go. That show—with Spencer Brown, Wakyin, and Mikey Lion—felt less like a concert and more like a movement. Now, Shimza is back to take things even further.

Hailing from Tembisa, South Africa, Shimza is one of the most commanding forces in Afro-tech music. Behind the decks since he was a teenager, he’s earned global recognition for his technical mastery, deep emotional connection to the music, and powerful, story-driven sets. From Boiler Room Johannesburg to Ultra South Africa, Paradise Ibiza, and SXM Festival, Shimza brings a presence that’s felt long after the final track ends.

His Cercle performance at the Citadelle de Sisteron in France stands as one of his most iconic sets to date—a cinematic, high-altitude journey that captured the attention of the global dance community. And in 2020, his livestream from Robben Island wasn’t just a performance—it was a cultural statement, connecting music with history in a way only Shimza can.

Outside the booth, Shimza is a builder. His label, Kunye Records, is dedicated to platforming African talent on a global stage. His One Man Show has raised funds and awareness for underserved communities while showcasing some of South Africa’s most legendary artists. And his ongoing collaborations—from studio cuts with Aloe Blacc to surprise B2Bs with Black Coffee—continue to shape the sound of Afro-electronic music around the world.

 takes over Knockdown Center. Expect a marathon set, an elite support lineup, and that unmistakable sense of something rare unfolding on the dancefloor.

Knockdown Center

Shimza & Co

Wakyin

Wakyin & Guests

Netherlands

circuit

dutch tech house

house

Franky Rizardo

FLOW

FLOW New York

AYYBO

Ranger Trucco & Guests

tech house

Discip

Italy

italian tech house

Dimmish

Braydon Terzo

Debut

Gray Area's new venture, "Debut," aims to bridge the international house music community by bringing established and emerging artists to cities they've never performed in. This initiative seeks to expand artists' fan bases and provide fans with fresh, exhilarating musical experiences. Having played a role in introducing major artists and brands like elrow and Awakenings to new audiences in the past, Gray Area believes in the magic of first-time experiences. By promoting artists in new venues and cities, they hope to cultivate a thriving, unified house music ecosystem. Debut is not merely a marketing strategy but embodies Gray Area's commitment to fostering collaboration, unity, and musical discovery.

Shimza & Co

Lineup