Lwazi Asanda Gwala, professionally known as DJ Lag, is a South African DJ and record producer recognized as one of the pioneers of gqom—a genre of electronic dance music that originated in Durban in the early 2010s.

Over the years, DJ Lag has gained international recognition for his signature sound, which blends deep bass and rhythmic drum patterns. In 2019, he collaborated with Tierra Whack, Beyoncé, Moonchild Sanelly, Nija, Yemi Alade, and Busiswa on My Power, a track featured on Beyoncé’s album The Lion King: The Gift.

Now 30 years old (as of 2025), DJ Lag continues to push the boundaries of gqom and remains a key figure in the global electronic music scene.

Early Life and Education

DJ Lag, born in 1995 in Clermont, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, is widely known as the “King of Gqom.” Initially, he aspired to become a professional soccer player, but an ankle injury forced him to abandon that dream. During this time, his cousin, a rapper in Durban’s hip-hop scene, introduced him to FL Studio, where he taught himself music production. This sparked his passion for music, leading him to explore DJing.

His first gig was at Durban’s Club Uhuru during a high school graduation event while he was still in 10th grade. He later completed his matric at Wyebank Secondary School in KwaZulu-Natal.

Career Journey

DJ Lag launched his career in an unconventional way by releasing his first EP via WhatsApp. Fans signed up on his website and received the exclusive EP through the messaging app for free, a unique distribution method that set him apart in gqom’s early years. His music style is characterized by “uthayela,” a term used by local producers to describe the rough timbre and hard basslines designed for club settings.

At 21, DJ Lag made his global live debut in late 2016 at the Unsound Festival in Poland, later performing at Seoul’s Cake Shop. Since then, he has played at Afropunk New York City, secured a residency at RinseFM, and embarked on the #GqomIsThePresent world tour. He has also been featured on BBC Radio 1, including shows by Diplo and Benji B, and contributed to a BBC Radio 1 Essential Mix hosted by Pete Tong. In 2019, he was a featured speaker at the Amsterdam Dance Event (ADE).

That same year, he released the 6-track EP UHURU under Diplo’s Good Enuff Records, a sublabel of Mad Decent. The project paid tribute to Durban’s Club Uhuru, a key meeting spot for gqom producers like Rudeboyz and Naked Boyz. Additionally, he launched Something for Clermont, an event aimed at giving new artists a platform to experiment with sounds that push the evolution of gqom. The first edition of this event was held in collaboration with Boiler Room.

Selected Discography

Albums

2019 – Uhuru

2022 – Meeting With The King

2024 – The Rebellion

EPs and singles

2016: DJ Lag 12″ EP (Goon Club Allstars)

2016: Ice Drop EP (Goon Club Allstars)

2017: Trip to New York (Black Major) – originally via WhatsApp

2018: Jika single with DJ Vumar and Biggie (Ice Drop Records)

2018: 3 Step Culo single (Goon Club Allstars)

2018: Stampit 12″ EP (Goon Club Allstars)

2018: Going Modd ft Epic B (Swing Ting Records)

2019: Nyusa single with Okzharp (Hyperdub)

2019: Steam Rooms with Okzharp 12″ EP (Hyperdub)

2019: Uhuru EP (Good Enuff)

2019: Anywhere We Go single with Shekhinah (Parametric Records)

2022 – Where’s Your Father 

2023 – Bulldozer

2023 – Kwenzakalan

2024 – Hade Boss

2024 – Umthwalo Wam

2024 – Iza Ngamandla

2024 – Yebo

2024 – Gwara Gwara

Collaborations

2018: The Originators by various artists limited edition vinyl 12″ split – “Daisies” by DJ Lag (Gqom Oh!)

2019: WKC012 by Dmtrs We Flaco limited edition 7″ single – “Imaginery Drumming” by Heviweit and DJ Lag (self-released)

2019: The Lion King: The Gift by Beyoncé – “My Power” by Tierra Whack, Beyoncé, Moonchild Sanelly, Nija, DJ Lag, Yemi Alade, Busiswa (Parkwood Entertainment LLC, Columbia, Sony Music Entertainment)

Remixes

2018: “Down Low – DJ Lag Remix Extended, Weird Together feat. Moonchild Sanelly”

2024 – Yebo (Remix) [feat. Thobeka]

2024 – Hade Boss (Re-up) [feat. Kamo Mphela, 2woshort, Xduppy, K.C Driller & Mr Nation Thingz]

Compilations

2015 – Boiler Room: DJ Lag in Johannesburg

2017 – Boiler Room: DJ Lag in London

2022 – Meeting With The King (DJ Mix)

2024 – International Pantsula Vol. 1

2024 – Beat In Space 107

2024 – International Pantsula Vol. 2