By Nash Chikazunga.
JOHANNESBURG,1 OCtober 2026 — NAAK has new music on the way. Vumaala is putting his own artist project front and centre. This October, both are taking their sound to Amsterdam.
Supported by the SAMPRA Development Fund, the South African artists will participate in Amsterdam Dance Event (ADE), taking place from 21–25 October 2026, with a programme spanning performances, industry engagements and international networking.
The trip comes as ADE marks its 30th anniversary and places Sub-Saharan Africa among the key focus regions of its Pro Conference programme. For NAAK and Vumaala, it is an opportunity to bring the sounds coming out of South Africa directly to international audiences—and build relationships that can carry their music further.
Naak’s After Hours Era Starts Here
Known for his distinctive voice and high-energy Afro-house sound, NAAK heads to Amsterdam with a new collaboration to introduce: Intoxicated, with Bun Xapa featuring Rowlene.
The first single from his forthcoming After Hours EP, the track brings together three South African creative voices across Afro-house, electronic production and contemporary R&B. It also marks all three artists’ debut on Paradise Sound System.
For the award-winning vocalist, producer and DJ, whose collaborations include Black Coffee, Heavy-K, Bucie and DJ Tira, the Amsterdam programme connects an international performance platform with the opening chapter of his next music campaign.
You Know The Credits. Now Meet Vumaala
Behind Vumaala is Bubele Booi, the Grammy-nominated South African producer and multi-instrumentalist whose credits include Beyoncé, John Legend, Cynthia Erivo and Clean Bandit.
Vumaala brings another side of that musical identity into focus. His sound moves across Afro-house, three-step and gqom, exploring African electronic music through his own artist project.
At ADE, NAAK and Vumaala will come together for a back-to-back Paradise Sound System showcase at House of A, taking place at art’otel Amsterdam on Thursday, 22 October.
The gathering brings together Africa Rising Music Conference, Bridges for Music, Oskido’s Big Day Out and Paradise Worldwide Africa for conversations, networking and showcases centred on African electronic music. The programme also includes Kususa, Yamz & Phiwo and Oskido & guests, placing the pair within a wider celebration of the continent’s artists and music communities.
The Music Travels. The Opportunities Should Too
The artists’ Amsterdam programme extends beyond their showcase. On Wednesday, 21 October, NAAK and Vumaala will feature at the Association for Electronic Music (AFEM) Members Mixer.
Earlier that day, Pfanani Lishivha, Chief Executive Officer of SAMPRA, will contribute a South African perspective on neighbouring rights at the AFEM Annual General Meeting.
The discussion will address AI, rights and rights management through international collaboration, with work carried out together in Johannesburg providing a central example.
Together, these engagements connect the artists’ performances with conversations about how music is supported, represented and valued internationally.
The initiative builds on last year’s ADE programme, which saw Busiswa, Dwson and Gigi Lamayne participate through a collaboration between SAMPRA, Paradise Sound System and Africa Rising Music Conference.
This year continues that work: helping South African artists reach new audiences, meet international industry peers and develop relationships beyond a single performance.
NAAK and Vumaala’s international programme at ADE 2026 is made possible through the support of the SAMPRA Development Fund, supporting the international development and export of South African recording artists.