Amsterdam is about to get another taste of what South Africa’s electronic music scene has been cooking.
This October, NAAK and Vumaala will take their music and creative identities to Amsterdam Dance Event (ADE), with the South African artists heading to the Netherlands for a week of performances, industry conversations and international networking.
Supported by the SAMPRA Development Fund, the programme runs from 21 to 25 October 2026, coinciding with ADE’s 30th anniversary and its focus on Sub-Saharan Africa within the Pro Conference.
For NAAK, the trip arrives at an important point in his next musical chapter.
The award-winning vocalist, producer and DJ is preparing to introduce Intoxicated, a collaboration with Bun Xapa featuring Rowlene. The track serves as the first single from his upcoming After Hours EP and also marks the trio’s debut on Paradise Sound System.
Known for his Afro-house sound and collaborations with names including Black Coffee, Heavy-K, Bucie and DJ Tira, NAAK will use the Amsterdam platform to connect the new project with an international audience.
Then there is Vumaala, the artist project of Bubele Booi.
Better known in some circles for his production and instrumental work, the Grammy-nominated South African has credits that include Beyoncé, John Legend, Cynthia Erivo and Clean Bandit. However, Vumaala gives him room to explore his own sound, moving between Afro-house, three-step and gqom.
The two artists will join forces on Thursday, 22 October, for a back-to-back Paradise Sound System showcase at House of A at art’otel Amsterdam.
The event will also feature Kususa, Yamz & Phiwo and Oskido & guests, while bringing together Africa Rising Music Conference, Bridges for Music, Oskido’s Big Day Out and Paradise Worldwide Africa around African electronic music.
But the Amsterdam trip is not just about the stage.
On 21 October, NAAK and Vumaala will also attend the Association for Electronic Music (AFEM) Members Mixer, while SAMPRA CEO Pfanani Lishivha is set to bring a South African perspective to the AFEM Annual General Meeting.
The conversation will explore issues including AI, rights and rights management, building on work previously undertaken in Johannesburg.
Importantly, this is not the first time SAMPRA, Paradise Sound System and Africa Rising Music Conference have created an international platform for South African artists. Last year, Busiswa, Dwson and Gigi Lamayne were part of the ADE programme.
This year, NAAK and Vumaala continue that connection, taking their respective sounds beyond South Africa while creating opportunities for conversations, collaborations and new industry relationships.
And with NAAK entering his After Hours era while Vumaala puts his own artist identity firmly in focus, Amsterdam arrives at a particularly interesting point for both artists.
The message is clear: the music is travelling, and this time, the industry conversations are travelling with it.
