The dance music scene in Nigeria over the years has snowballed, with the vibrant music culture making waves across borders. It is not just artists who have contributed to this advancement. Still, producers and DJs have been notable keys to the immense growth of electronic dance music and its sub-genres like Afro-House. Amongst the acts trailblazing the scene is the creative duo, Smeez and D3an. From releasing electronic dance tracks to remixes with Afro-House at parties, these DJ and producer duo have held Lagos parties in lockdown with their innovative DJ sets and music production.
Having begun their musical journey from Instagram DMs to becoming the raving DJ duo known for revolutionizing the music scene, there is no pause to their dynamic artistry. With the masterminds working side by side, they’re not just storming Lagos parties with their music. Still, they have built a creative empire that defies conventional boundaries in the last two years.
Honing their craft in Afro-House music, Smeez and D3an have merged their ingenious talents to forge a unique sound that resonates with their listeners beyond the continent’s borders. While the renowned Major League DJz influences Smeez’s musical production style, he has passionately enriched his musical palette from his intriguing on YouTube. D3an, on the other hand, finds inspiration deep in the European musical style with influences including Avicii, the Swedish House Mafia and Daft Punk. These influences have subtly shaped their music into what it is now, naturally connecting them to their audience.
Electronic dance music in Nigeria might not be as prevalent as mainstream music. However, what makes the musical duo stand out in this scene is their ability to seamlessly infuse the Nigerian elements with their electronic beats, setting them apart and giving them a driven advantage over any other duo that surfaces. “We basically just incorporate the Nigerian elements in our music; you hear this mostly from the vocals,” D3AN testifies.
While the Afro-House music scene, in particular, pulls in a variety of creative acts, Smeez and D3an’s innate ability to understand what their listeners crave and seamlessly blend dance elements into their sets isn’t just a notable nod to their artistry but has made them stand the test of time.
Making music from humble beginnings, their fame skyrocketed when D3an remixed Alpha P’s ‘Paloma’ and Smeez produced LAX’s ‘Faster’. The duo’s versatility means there are no fixed roles in their creative process, allowing for fluid and dynamic collaboration. But their propulsion didn’t end there. Their catalogue boasts extensive projects, including being featured on Ninola’s album’ Press Play’, DJ Tunez, and their latest project, ‘Sabali,’ which features Ema Onigah and Dandizzy.
Since their inception in 2022, their creative journey has been on a meteoric rise, setting the Nigerian dance music scene ablaze. Whether performing at Obi’s House or expanding into Ghana, their dedication and spinning creativity bring life to every rave and party you might ever experience. While they humorously cite “money, passion, and women” as their inspirations, their genuine drive comes from a deep love for music, now celebrated under the genre of ‘Amapiano’.
Beyond being the raving duo at Lagos parties, looking ahead, Smeez and D3an are determined to expand their influence, proudly contributing to the Nigerian music industry. The combination of the Port Harcourt-bred D3an and Smeez, the Lagos boy, has proven to be a match made in musical heaven. Since their inception in 2022, it is evident that their creative journey has been on a meteoric rise, setting the Nigerian dance music scene ablaze.
As they continue to draw inspiration from Western artists and their unique backgrounds, Smeez and D3an will continue to be a force to be reckoned with in Nigerian music and creative culture.
