For the past five years, the electronic dance music genre has built a space in the Nigerian music scene. It did not happen overnight, but slowly and steadily, this unique sound found a home. Even more than a space, it has grown into a larger community filled with African EDM music artists, DJs, and lovers of the sound itself. What used to be a very small group of people has transformed into a vibrant culture. One of the very members and pioneers pushing the EDM genre in the Nigerian music scene is Jamie Black.
To understand Jamie Black’s journey, you have to look at where he came from. Jamie Black, who was born in Lagos State, Nigeria, grew up experiencing the sound in the Nigerian atmosphere. Lagos is a city that is always loud and full of energy. Many of the sounds he would have experienced from his early beginnings would have been Afrobeats and a mix of Naija rap.
These were the dominant rhythms on the radio and in the streets. But when the EDM genre crossed his ears in 2013, he instantly fell in love with the sound and the genre. It was different from everything else he was hearing. It felt fresh, foreign yet familiar, and full of electricity.
The connection was immediate and emotional. Jamie Black describes his discovery of the sound as something really powerful that moves listeners. It wasn’t just about dancing; it was about feeling. EDM has brought Jamie Black closer to his friends and even made him bond with new people, making memories to the sound.
The music became a background for his life and friendships. Three years later, Jamie Black finds himself producing, with the energy of being eager to learn and the fueled curiosity in him. He transitioned from just a fan in the crowd to the person controlling the music.
His start in music production was humble. He recalled it to be a hobby, playing around with Caustic, a production application on his phone. He didn’t have a big studio or expensive equipment. Learning his way around it, he quickly got familiar and found his way around the application. He used what he had to create something new.
With each song he made, he showed his friends for feedback. These were friends who encouraged him to do more, which ended up fueling his drive to popularize EDM in Nigeria. Their support gave him the confidence to take it seriously.
His professional DJ career kicked off in 2019 after linking up with Calix, Mazexmxtreme, and Sigag Lauren, who were dance music DJs too. Finding a tribe of like-minded artists was crucial. Around this time, there were fewer EDM events, but it was growing. It was still an underground movement.
This is a massive change compared to now in 2025, where there are notable EDM shows and events in Nigeria more than ever.
Looking back, the progress is incredible. Jamie Black’s first show was Zodiac Party’s very first edition, which hosted over 60 people. It was a modest start, but he recalls it being really fun and was also surprised to see EDM lovers like him turn up. That small room proved that the audience existed. Now it is bigger than ever, with ten times larger listeners, more EDM Nigerian DJs, more shows and events to play at, and more EDM Nigerian music.
Now that the Nigerian EDM scene is steadily growing, Jamie Black’s vision has gone wider. He is no longer just looking at Lagos; he is looking at the continent. He now sees African EDM catching up with the wave and steadily growing more than ever. The future looks bright and loud. With his new EP FLOW out now, Jamie Black keeps his vision clear, and he is not backing down on making Nigerian EDM greater.
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