Black electronic music isn’t a genre so much as a living ecosystem. One shaped by movement, migration and constant reinvention. For DJ, radio host and Forward Slash Founder K2RAH, it’s an umbrella that stretches across continents and club cultures, connecting Chicago House and Detroit Techno to UK Garage, Jungle, Baile Funk, Amapiano, Gqom and countless emerging hybrids in between. “To me, Black electronic music is the umbrella for dance music that is (currently) audibly (rather than historically) rooted in sounds from the global black diaspora,” she proclaims.
Rather than treating these sounds as fixed histories, K2RAH approaches Black electronic music as something audibly present and future-facing, evolving in real time through the hands of DJs, producers and communities worldwide. We asked her to guide us through that continuum, offering snapshots of how Black electronic music travels, mutates and thrives on dancefloors across the globe.
The Trippin Mixes, Vol. 26: Vanyfox
Angola-born DJ Vanyfox came correct with a sizzling ode to Afro House for Trippin. Skippy, fun and full of left turns, the heat from this mix is sure to melt away the ice and snow outside of your window this season. He fuses Batida – a vibrant, modern Angolan/Portuguese electronic dance sound – with the sweltering vibrations of Kuduro for an audio party. Here’s to taking your heritage and moving it forward in unpredictable and exciting fashion. “This mix gets better as it goes along,” K2RAH says. “The energy just keeps rising – Vanyfox doesn’t let up. There’s a constant push and pull in Batida that is so enticing!”
BBC Radio 1: KG (Benji B Guest Mix) – 20th May 2021
We recently featured an incredible Karen Nyame KG mix in our 2025 wrap up, so it’s clear great minds think alike! KG is a living embodiment of pushing Black electronic music through her every action. She reaches the intersection between genres like UK Funky, Amapiano and Afro Club and brings them together in moments of musical euphoria. Whatever the situation, we can rely on KG to bring the groove, a sentiment K2RAH agrees with. “KG glides through this one,” she exclaims. “The groove from this bag of Black electronic music is one I’ll never get enough of.”
Worldwide FM: VHOOR Presents: Aquecimento – 7th February 2021
Worldwide FM is the arena for a musical wonderkid to show his skills. Brazilian selector VHOOR was just 22 years old at the time of this mix. And yet, he proved he can hang with the very best. This mix is steeped with interesting interpretations of Black electronic music and broader electronic sounds of African origin. From Trap to Footwork, VHOOR puts on an audio party that can be enjoyed as much in Rio as it can in Kampala, London and other parts of the world. “Not just Baile Funk, Vhoor dips into different black electronic styles from Brazil to the UK, Portugal and the US,” K2RAH shares.
Crack Mix 443: Kikelomo
Big shoutout to Kikelomo for being consistently awesome. The DJ and co-founder of Oroko Radio has a weighty collection of mixes. But she saved one of the very best for Crack Magazine. Her Crack mix contains a charged up mash up of genres, some unreleased tunes and all the energy to fuel an apartment block! Made for winter, she starts off with an ominous audio sample that sets the tone. Kikelomo follows that up with splashes of House, Breakbeat, Jungle and Drum & Bass. If it’s too cold to go to the club, press play on this mix to restore the feeling. “Non-stop moving when I hit play on this one,” K2RAH says. “Kikelomo is literally on a journey. 10/10 energy.”
Foundation FM: So Future Club + K2RAH – 4th December 2024
Turning the spotlight to herself, K2RAH lets us in on her monthly slot over at Foundation FM. Her ‘So Future Club’ show explores the scope of electronic and underground club music, rooted in sounds from the global Black diaspora. As a result, you’re privy to hearing anything from Gqom to UKG, in different recording locations across the globe.
Fitting the theme of interpretation and travel that electronic music has encompassed over the years, K2RAH does the subject terrific justice, and the proof is in the mix. “Just a snapshot of the spectrum of sounds I try to cram into my Foundation FM show every month,” K2RAH explains. “The focus is on emerging talent and underground club music, but not exclusively. I recorded this one in Bali and it felt good to rep the sounds I love in new surroundings.”