Apple Music has released its latest Isgubhu DJ Mix, featuring an exclusive mix from Johannesburg-based DJ Count Lupa, available exclusively on Apple Music from Friday, 7 August 2026.
Isgubhu continues to serve as Apple Music’s home for African dance music culture, spotlighting the producers, DJs and underground innovators shaping the continent’s club scenes. Each month, Isgubhu highlights the boundary-pushing sounds redefining Afro house, 3-step, gqom and electronic music across Africa.
Having officially begun her journey behind the decks just last year, Count Lupa has quickly carved out a space within South Africa’s dance music community through an approach rooted in rhythm, movement and connection. Drawing inspiration from Afro House, Afro Tech and Gqom, her sets celebrate the richness of African electronic music while continually pushing towards new sonic possibilities.
Count Lupa’s exclusive Isgubhu DJ mix is an immersive journey through the heartbeat of African dance music, carefully balancing introspective grooves with moments of soaring energy and release. Thoughtfully sequenced from beginning to end, the mix unfolds as a continuous story, inviting listeners into an experience that is equally suited to long drives, sunrise dancefloors and late-night moments of reflection.
“I wanted this mix to feel like a journey through the heartbeat of Africa,” Count Lupa tells Apple Music about the direction of the mix. “African dance music has always felt like a conversation between rhythm, culture and emotion. Rather than chasing one mood, I wanted to create something that moves with purpose, starting with deeper, introspective grooves before gradually building into moments of energy, release and euphoric peaks that feel like celebration.”
Reflecting on the intention behind the mix, Count Lupa tells Apple Music, “Every transition was chosen to feel intentional, allowing each track to breathe while telling one continuous story. The artists and producers featured have each moulded my understanding of African electronic dance music, and this mix is my way of celebrating their craft while paying homage to the rhythms that continue to inspire me. My hope is that listeners don’t just hear the music, but they feel transported by it and find pieces of themselves along the journey.”
Featuring tracks from artists including Black Coffee, Bun Xapa, Caiiro, Major League Djz, Vanco, Dlala Thukzin and Mr Thela, the mix explores the breadth of contemporary African electronic music, seamlessly moving between Afro House, Afro Tech and Gqom while celebrating the producers and innovators shaping the continent’s dancefloor culture.
Listeners can stream the Isgubhu DJ Mix by Count Lupa exclusively on Apple Music, alongside the Isgubhu playlist, which continues to spotlight the best in African dance and electronic music.
Listen to the Isgubhu playlist now on Apple Music.
Isgubhu August 2026 (DJ Mix) mixed by Count Lupa Tracklisting
- Black Coffee feat. RY X — I’m Falling
- Mpho.Wav feat. Miči — Not This Lifetime
- Harder to Breathe
- Bun Xapa — Berlin
- Dele Sosimi Afrobeat Orchestra — Too Much Information (Laolu Remix)
- Phodii, Charisse C & Kwamzy feat. Infrallectual — Angel Whispers
- Davide Ferrario feat. Dalai — Desert (Enoo Napa Remix)
- Major League Djz feat. Jorja Smith — Come With Me (Ape Drumz Remix)
- Sio & Atmos Blaq — Villian Phase
- Caiiro — The Akan
- Oskido & Mafikizolo — Khona (Pierre Johnson & Simeon Remix)
- Drega — Tanka Tanka
- Kalyma — Red Man Calypso (Whitesquare Remix)
- Bucie — Get Over It (Sun El Sithole Remix)
- Vanco & Una Rams feat. Pablo Fierro — Wele Wele
- Kevin McKay, Puppah Nas-T & Super Flu — Work (Super Flu Remix)
- DJ Nkabza & Bistoh — Energizer
- We Dem Boyz — Batman
- Dlala Thukzin & Skyes — Danki Bawo
- Mr Thela — Thula Moya
Featured on the cover of the Isgubhu playlist this month is South African producer, DJ and entrepreneur DJ Zinhle, who returns with her highly anticipated self-titled EP, ZINHLE.
Marking a new chapter in her celebrated career, ZINHLE is a celebration of the sound that first established DJ Zinhle as one of Africa’s most influential dance music pioneers. Across eight high-energy tracks, the project revisits the infectious dancefloor-driven style that has defined her musical journey while embracing a fresh creative perspective. Rooted in connection and celebration, the EP captures DJ Zinhle’s enduring ability to create music that brings people together through rhythm and movement.
The project features collaborations with DJ Lace, DJ Cliad, FunkTone and others, showcasing a dynamic blend of established and emerging talent. Leading the release is the first single, “Njengemali,” which arrived on 24 July ahead of the EP’s release on 5 August. With ZINHLE, DJ Zinhle delivers a confident return to the dancefloor, reaffirming the timeless energy of African dance music while continuing to shape its future.
Isgubhu also houses a collection of alumni playlists, editorial playlists, exclusive DJ mixes, and additional content from the best dance and electronic acts on the continent.
Check out Isgubhu only on Apple Music: http://apple.co/Isgubhu