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Afro House and Afrobeats Unite as Lohrasp Kansara and DJ Power Breathe New Life Into Afro B’s Hit ‘Joanna’

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Lohrasp Kansara performing live in front of a packed crowd during a nightclub show

Lohrasp Kansara “Joanna” Afro House remake lands on TH3RD BRAIN alongside Afro B and DJ Power.

There are records that simply update a song. Then there are records that fully reimagine one. Lohrasp Kansara’s new single “Joanna,” released May 29th on TH3RD BRAIN Records, belongs firmly in the second category. Built from the ground up alongside DJ Power and co-released with the original artist Afro B himself, this is not a remix of the 2018 Afrobeats global hit. Instead, it is a brand new production with a completely new identity. It is built for where Afro House and the dance floor are in 2026. For fans intrigued by the collaboration of Lohrasp Kansara, Joanna, and the surrounding contributors, this release is a must-hear.

The production centres on deep, groove-forward percussion, uplifting chord work, and a refined melodic structure.This structure takes Afro B’s beloved topline and repositions it at the crossroads of Afro House credibility and mainstream dancefloor appeal.

Breaking Down the Artist Behind the Record

To understand why this collaboration carries real weight, you need to understand where Lohrasp Kansara sits in 2026. The Swiss-born, New York-based DJ and producer has logged over 6,000 shows across 60+ countries. He has played five clubs currently ranked on the DJ Mag Top 100 and opened the year with his first headline at Marquee New York to a packed room. In addition, Pete Tong personally signed two of his singles to his imprint Places & Spaces, including “Sandstorm,” which Tong played from the Creamfields main stage. Black Coffee has ID’d eleven of his tracks across his official Spotify playlist.

“Sandstorm” peaked at number 3 and held a spot there for 209 days. His catalog has reached 175+ chart placements and 13M+ playlist reach. Moreover, it has received support from the likes of Calvin Harris, Martin Garrix, Tiësto, Dom Dolla, Adriatique, and Keinemusik, among many others. This broad global reach positions the Lohrasp Kansara and Joanna collaboration as a key moment for both artists. For fans following the rise of Lohrasp Kansara and Joanna, this collaboration marks an important milestone.

Beyond the touring and catalog, Lohrasp runs LOCO CARNAVAL, his weekly Sunday experiential party at Somewhere Nowhere NYC. He has hosted the likes of Shimza, Moojo, Awen, and Kintar there. This event is a platform that speaks to his curatorial vision as much as his artistry. It is a self-built room in one of the world’s most competitive music cities. Having a hand in unique experiences like LOCO CARNAVAL shows how Lohrasp Kansara’s creativity runs through everything he does. From Joanna to his collaborations with global artists like Afro B, his innovation is clear.

The Release and the Buzz So Far

Since its May 29th release, “Joanna” has already made early moves on Beatport. It landed on the Weekend Picks Melodic 2026: Week 22 at number 47, while currently sitting at number 67 on the overall Afro House chart. Additionally, it is at number 20 on Latest Releases: Afro House, with momentum still building. It has also picked up support from the respected editorial platform Madorasindahouse. This buzz surrounding Joanna and the rise of Lohrasp Kansara Joanna in the scene showcases a momentum that is only growing.

 

The live energy around the record has matched its momentum. Lohrasp ran the record across two nights at Somewhere Nowhere NYC. This included a Saturday night release party with Afro B performing live to a packed room. Furthermore, it was followed by a Sunday Cenote Project daytime rooftop session that carried the same energy across the weekend. Moreover, the excitement surrounding these events reflects Lohrasp Kansara and Joanna’s influence on fans and the Afro House community.

Why “Joanna” Matters Right Now

Lohrasp Kansara’s “Joanna” arrives at a moment when the line between Afrobeats and Afro House continues to blur. This trend is evident among both mainstream and underground audiences. What makes this release different is the full involvement of the original artist. That participation gives the track a level of cultural authenticity that a standard remix process could never achieve. It takes a song already embedded in the cultural memory of millions and gives it a new home on the dance floor. At the same time, it preserves the qualities that made the original resonate. For anyone tracking the continued rise of Afro House as a global genre, this release deserves close attention. Notably, the collaboration between Lohrasp Kansara and Joanna reinforces their influence on the direction of Afro House.

Where to listen and connect:

Website: Lohrasp Kansara
Instagram: @lohraspkansara
YouTube: @LOHRASPKANSARA
Spotify: Lohrasp Kansara
Soundcloud: LOHRASP KANSARA

 

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AMÉMÉ Releases ‘Chulo’ and Wraps Cova Santa Run

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AMÉMÉ smiling and adjusting his sunglasses against a vivid red backdrop, wearing a black textured jacket

AMÉMÉ closes out a landmark summer with the release of “Chulo” via Altra Moda Music, alongside One Tribe’s five-week Cova Santa residency.

West African afro-house innovator AMÉMÉ closes out a landmark summer with the release of “Chulo” via Altra Moda Music, and the conclusion of One Tribe’s debut five-week residency at Ibiza’s Cova Santa. The two moments arrive together by design, capping a season that saw AMÉMÉ bring his community-first ethos to the island for the first time.

“Chulo” has spent months building anticipation before its official release, driving dancefloors across AMÉMÉ’s summer sets and quickly becoming one of the most requested moments in his live shows. Its release now gives fans a studio counterpart to the track that soundtracked the summer.

Running from late July through late August, the five-week Cova Santa residency marked One Tribe’s first dedicated home on the island, featuring diverse lineups that blended fresh voices with established artists inside the venue’s intimate, open-air setting. Having included artists such as Honeyluv, Kitty Amor, Da Capo, LP Giobi, Coco & Breezy, and more – the residency stands as a major milestone for the collective, following major showcases in Amsterdam, Berlin, London, and New York.

For Hubert Sodogandji, known globally as AMÉMÉ, the road to this moment started far from festival main stages. Raised in Benin, West Africa, his earliest connection to rhythm came through childhood mixtape competitions with his siblings, long before he discovered electronic music via imported French house tapes. He worked in banking before trading boardrooms for dancefloors, an analytical foundation he credits with helping him thoughtfully grow his creative community today. After buying a basic controller and teaching himself to DJ in New York, he relocated to Berlin to fully immerse himself in electronic music culture.

At the center of that journey is One Tribe, the community-driven collective AMÉMÉ launched in Brooklyn in 2017 to connect people through afro-house. What began as a grassroots event series has organically evolved into a global phenomenon and boutique record label, with the Cova Santa residency marking its most ambitious chapter yet.

What sets AMÉMÉ apart is his charismatic, magnetic booth presence, an infectious energy unmistakably felt on every dancefloor he touches. That crowd connection translates directly into his studio output, where his sound blends afro-house, tribal percussion, and deep house. Recent releases showcase his ability to bridge musical eras and cultural gaps, from the feel-good afro-house track “Wait For You” (with Franc Fala) to his 2026 reimagining of the trance anthem “Greece 2000” alongside Baggi and Three Drives.

On the road, that momentum has carried AMÉMÉ to some of the world’s most renowned stages throughout 2026, including summer sets at Miami’s Jungle Island, Barcelona’s Brunch Electronik, the Knockdown Center in New York, and a special Pop Up on the Roof at LA-YAM in London. He has also made prominent appearances at Hï Ibiza and UNVRS alongside heavyweights including Marco Carola and David Guetta.

Whether leading a packed festival tent or commanding an intimate club room, AMÉMÉ uses rhythm as a universal language, one that carries through “Chulo” and the residency it now caps, to remind us that we are all, ultimately, One Tribe.

AMÉMÉ’s “Chulo” is out now via Altra Moda Music.

AMÉMÉ Instagram   |   One Tribe Instagram

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Dennis Ferrer to Headline ¿PorQuéNo? Toronto’s Tulum Day Festival at Evergreen Brick Works

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Dennis Ferrer headlines ¿PorQuéNo? Toronto, a two-stage daytime festival at Evergreen Brick Works on August 29, 2026, bringing Tulum’s beach party energy north.

¿PorQuéNo? is bringing its signature Tulum Day Festival concept to Toronto this summer, in partnership with Puzzles Presents with house music veteran Dennis Ferrer topping the bill at Evergreen Brick Works on Saturday, August 29, 2026. Doors open at 4 PM for the 19+ event, which runs seven hours across two stages and is expected to draw over 2,000 attendees for a full day-into-evening celebration of house music in the city’s historic industrial park setting.

Dennis Ferrer Headlines ¿PorQuéNo? Toronto

The Dennis Ferrer ¿PorQuéNo? Toronto booking brings one of soulful house’s most respected names to the daytime festival stage. The New York-based DJ and producer built his reputation through soulful, gospel, and Afro-house influenced production, co-founding Sfere Recordings with Kerri Chandler before launching his own label, Objektivity. He remains best known for his 2010 Defected Records single “Hey Hey,” a record that helped define the sound of soulful house for a new generation of dancefloors, and his catalog includes long-running collaborations with Masters at Work and Little Louie Vega.

Full Lineup at ¿PorQuéNo? Toronto 2026

Dennis Ferrer headlines a stacked bill that includes Ashkan Dian, Azul, Bardia, Different Human, Chism, Johnny Khan, Razaq El Toro, Ry, Saint X, Shayne Mags, Singhara, and Tristan VanGrant. The full roster leans into the same soulful, groove-driven house sound that defines the ¿PorQuéNo? brand, setting up a day of continuous music across the festival’s two stages.

Venue & Event Details

¿PorQuéNo? Toronto takes place at Evergreen Brick Works, 550 Bayview Avenue, Toronto, ON, a former industrial brick factory turned community and event space known for hosting outdoor markets and festivals. Key details for attendees:

THE FESTIVAL EXPERIENCE

Featuring:

• Afro, tribal and organic house & techno
• Immersive production and Tulum-inspired design
• Live performers and dancers
• Body art and curated pop-up vendors
• Food and drinks available for purchase
• Boho chic and elevated summer style encouraged

  • Date: Saturday, August 29, 2026
  • Doors: 4 PM, running through 11 PM (7 hours)
  • Age restriction: 19+
  • Capacity: ~2,000
  • Parking: Paid parking available on site
  • Refund policy: No refunds

PorQueNo Toronto

Tickets for Dennis Ferrer PorQueNo Toronto are on sale now through Eventbrite.

The Team Behind the Party

Bringing this one to life is a lineup of Toronto promoters as strong as the one on stage. Puzzles Entertainment, known for their deep, progressive, and melodic house nights around the city, joins forces with AYRA Collective, a regular co-host of ¿PorQuéNo? Tulum Day parties across other cities, and FLOWSTATE, a local house music events crew built around giving DJs of every level a platform. Together, they’re the crew making sure Evergreen Brick Works feels every bit like Tulum for the day.

Don’t Forget to Follow ¿PorQuéNo?
Stay connected and be the first to hear about future dates, special offers, and behind-the-scenes moments. Follow ¿PorQuéNo? across all platforms:

Instagram: @porqueno.vancouver and @porqueno.tulum
Facebook: PorQuéNo? Tulum
Eventbrite: PorQueNo Organizer Page 

 

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Casa de Afro Same Language Meets a 24-Hour Mission

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Casa de Afro Same Language single drops July 24th, followed by a 24-hour Venezuela charity set from founder Dr. ADO next Saturday.

Casa de Afro Same Language marks a defining moment for the label arm of the Mexico City-born Afro House brand. It is landing July 24th as a modern reworking of a platinum-certified record. Additionally, it arrives days after founder Dr. ADO takes on a 24-hour DJ set to raise funds for Venezuela.

From Mexico City to London: The Casa de Afro Story

Casa de Afro was built from the ground up in Mexico City as a music-first Afro House residency. It was founded by Dr. ADO and Bud Lee. What started as a single residency has since grown into a 15-plus event history with consistent sell-out attendance. Moreover, the brand has since expanded into London, running alongside its ongoing Mexico City residency.

The mission behind Casa de Afro has stayed consistent throughout that growth. It is to bring authentic Afro House, Amapiano, and gqom culture to the dancefloor. In addition, the goal is to connect the African diaspora creative scene across Mexico City, London, and Ghana through music-first events.

Most recently, Casa de Afro ran a World Cup Edition at Level B, Bombay Club Roma, in Mexico City. There was also a London edition at Maison Close, Mayfair. The brand is continuing to grow both cities in parallel through 2026.

Meet the Founders: Dr. ADO and Bud Lee

Dr. ADO is the founder of Casa de Afro, with a broadcast history spanning BBC Radio 1, BBC 1Xtra, Kiss FM, and SiriusXM. Bud Lee is co-founder and creative partner. He helped build the brand from Mexico City up into the two-city operation it is today.

Casa de Afro Same Language: A Statement of Intent

The label’s key upcoming release, “Same Language,” comes from Dr. ADO, Bud Lee, and Paperboy Fabe. It is a modern-day Afro House adaptation of the platinum record originally by Paperboy Fabe and Brent Faiyaz. It’s out July 24th on the Casa de Afro label.



The release doubles as a statement of intent for the label. It is reworking a platinum-certified record through an Afro House lens. As a result, Casa de Afro’s identity is cemented as both an events brand and a fully-fledged music label.

Casa de Afro’s 24-Hour Charity Set for Venezuela

Alongside the release, Dr. ADO will perform a 24-hour set with Casa de Afro next Saturday to raise funds for Venezuela. This adds a philanthropic dimension to an already packed month for the brand. Between the record release and the marathon charity performance, Casa de Afro is using this moment to spotlight both its musical output and its community values.

Why Casa de Afro Continues to Matter

Between an expanding footprint across Mexico City and London, a growing label catalog, and community-driven initiatives like the Venezuela charity set, Casa de Afro is positioning itself as more than an events brand. With “Same Language” out July 24th and a 24-hour set following shortly after, the Afro House scene has plenty to watch from Dr. ADO and Bud Lee heading into the rest of 2026.

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