NAAK and Vumaala to take SA electronic sounds to Amsterdam

The programme will coincide with ADE’s 30th anniversary and its focus on Sub-Saharan Africa as part of the Pro Conference. For the two artists, the event will provide opportunities to perform for international audiences and engage with music industry professionals.

NAAK will use the Amsterdam programme to introduce ‘Intoxicated’, a collaboration with Bun Xapa featuring Rowlene. The track is the first single from his forthcoming ‘After Hours’ EP and marks the three artists' debut on Paradise Sound System.

The vocalist, producer and DJ has previously collaborated with artists including Black Coffee, Heavy-K, Bucie and DJ Tira.

Vumaala, the artist project of Grammy-nominated South African producer and multi-instrumentalist Bubele Booi, will also showcase his own music. Booi’s production credits include Beyoncé, John Legend, Cynthia Erivo and Clean Bandit.

Under the Vumaala name, Booi explores Afro-house, three-step and gqom, drawing on South Africa's electronic music traditions.

NAAK and Vumaala will perform together at a Paradise Sound System showcase at House of A at art'otel Amsterdam on 22 October. The event will also feature Africa Rising Music Conference, Bridges for Music, Oskido's Big Day Out and Paradise Worldwide Africa.

The showcase programme includes performances by Kususa, Yamz & Phiwo, and Oskido and guests.

Beyond the performance, the artists will participate in industry activities during ADE. On 21 October, they are scheduled to attend the Association for Electronic Music (AFEM) Members Mixer.

SAMPRA CEO Pfanani Lishivha will also contribute to the AFEM Annual General Meeting on the same day, where discussions will examine artificial intelligence, rights management and international collaboration, including work undertaken in Johannesburg.

The Amsterdam programme follows a collaboration at last year’s ADE involving South African artists Busiswa, Dwson and Gigi Lamayne, supported by SAMPRA, Paradise Sound System and Africa Rising Music Conference.

The 2026 initiative is supported through the SAMPRA Development Fund, which aims to support the international development and export of South African recording artists.