Get to know the hybrid brand bringing a completely unique experience to the UK nightlife, Dankie Sounds. Founded back in August 2021, Amapiano was thriving more than ever, and this collective has not stopped delivering infectious vibes and unforgettable moments since.

With the main motive of Dankie Sounds to be the number one hybrid event within the Amapiano scene; the events provide profound musical indulgence for its attendees where they, the DJs and the instrumentalists are truly the main focus. Previously working with the likes of Wray & Nephew, Puma, Pollen, City Splash, Titan Festival and more, Dankie Sounds knows how to own the night and provide exquisite vibes only.

Created during a time where events were so restricted, it is warming to see Dankie Sounds flourish and find its pocket within the UK nightlife scene. We sat down with the collective to get to know how they came together, the inspiration behind the events and the evolution since the forming.

Read the exclusive interview below…

Hey! How are you doing?
Danko! We’re doing well, thanks! Definitely locked in and focused on the next few weeks leading up to Dankie Sounds Ibiza Weekend – but we’re all super excited for it.

How did you come together, considering your different backgrounds?
It all does feel surreal sometimes but our worst kept secret weapon in all this is Dankie Sounds’ first and most important member – God.

James and I (Tunde) were long-standing friends and business partners even before Dankie Sounds came into existence. We started our events business during university as a way to make extra money, throwing cool parties that we didn’t have to pay to attend. It wasn’t until 2018 that we realized we had a higher calling in the events world. We decided to ramp up our focus, energy, and time. Coincidentally, Kaz and Sama were building their event brands, throwing some amazing parties around London and during their university years. We had known of each other through mutual friends, but it wasn’t until 2021 that we decided to unite and form what is now Dankie Sounds. Looking back, it’s quite astonishing because at the time, we never thought we would create a new event brand together. But something about this endeavor felt different and right. As Kaz always says, “Interdependency is better than independency.” I think we’re living proof of that philosophy.

What was the inspiration behind starting Dankie Sounds and the process of launching it?
Interestingly, we have a saying on our Instagram bio that reads “Since Lockdown,” and that’s precisely the case. Lockdown and the challenges of COVID-19 granted us the time to explore more of the world, which might sound ironic, but it’s our reality. During this time, we discovered the Amapiano culture from South Africa – mainly through the Major League DJz Balcony mixes and Kabza’s 2020 project “I am The King of Amapiano: Sweet & Dust.” While we already loved EDM music and had plans to enter the scene, Amapiano felt like a divine gift. An EDM genre that incorporates the rhythms and culture of Africa – it was as if God was communicating with us individually, not knowing it would bring us together. James and I initiated the brand, with James brilliantly coming up with the name “Dankie,” which means “Thank You” in Afrikaans, and holds various meanings in UK slang. Fast forward, we began teasing new content on social media, hinting at something exciting. Sama caught wind of this and reached out to James, leading to a group call and a site visit to our first venue (Near and Far Camden). That’s how Dankie Sounds became official!

Expectations aside, we simply knew we adored the music and culture and felt compelled to bring this vibrant vibe to London in a way that resonated with us and mirrored how we fell in love with the genre.

Could you share the brand’s mission?
The answer might vary depending on who you ask. For many, Dankie Sounds is a safe space where you can be your authentic self, free from the burdens of egos, judgment, or societal pressures. It’s all about embracing pure enjoyment. People come here to have a blast, relish the music, forge lasting friendships, connections, and memories. And that’s just one perspective. To another, Dankie Sounds serves as a platform that uplifts local talents – be it DJs, hosts, dancers, stage managers, security personnel, or event managers. This is the beauty of the brand and the community we’re building. To sum up our mission, it’s about evolving into a comprehensive 360-degree entertainment company across events, music, art, and fashion. We aim to stand the test of time and leave a positive impact on future generations. We want to empower leaders, amplify careers, forge enduring memories, and become an integral part of people’s lives from adolescence to late adulthood.

How has Dankie Sounds evolved over the past two years?
To understand the brand’s evolution, let’s look at the numbers. Our initial party, when we launched, was a gathering of around 130 people, mostly from our individual networks. Back then, we weren’t entirely sure about the brand’s direction, but we were committed to offering an unparalleled experience at Dankie Sounds events. Fast forward two years, and we’re thrilled to say that we’ve expanded our community’s reach, not just in London, but also in Accra, Malta, Greece, and soon, Ibiza. Oh, and here’s an exclusive for you: Nigeria in December. We’re gearing up for our most substantial UK show to date, hosting 2000 people but more exciting that the size is what we’re trying to do to transform the space.

Beyond the numbers, let’s talk about the experience. We’ve always integrated live instruments into our Dankie Sounds events. From the initial event with only two bongo drums to now, where we have a full range of instruments including a guitarist, pianist, a full bogo drum kit percussionist and saxophonist playing alongside our exceptional resident DJs. Like any journey, it involved trial and error, incorporating customer feedback, and continuous revisions. It’s heartwarming to see collectives across the UK and beyond experimenting more with live instruments and DJs at their events.

Lastly, when Dankie Sounds comes to mind today, it’s synonymous with top-notch production. This aspect was a conscious decision in our first year. We aspired to elevate the visual production standards in black events space. Before Dankie, an LED screen behind the DJ was considered groundbreaking. Today, we aim to take our attendees on an immersive journey from our social media marketing to the event entrance and throughout. So, if someone in London sees a video with flashing glow sticks, giant inflatables suspended from the sky, immersive decorations, and tons of confetti, we’d like to believe they think of Dankie Sounds instantly. We’re striving for that recognition globally.

Could you provide a glimpse into a typical Dankie Sounds event?
Honestly, words don’t do justice to the experience – you have to be there to truly grasp it. It might sound crazy, but it’s a classic “You had to be there” scenario.

You’ve collaborated with exciting partners. Are there any collaborations that stand out to you?
It might surprise you, but the collaborations that resonate the most aren’t with global brands; rather, they’re collaborations with our peers’ brands. Our partnership with Recess marked our first-ever festival booking for City Splash, a pivotal move that solidified our strategy to establish Dankie Sounds as a bookable act. The collaboration with DLT was our first international venture, opening doors to associating our community with the idea of travel and overseas Dankie experiences. Lastly, our work with GUAP on the “We Create.” series gathers young black creative trailblazers to share knowledge with the next generation and among industry peers.

These collaborations stand out not just for their diversity but also because they debunk the misconception that we can’t all work together toward a higher purpose. In reality, we absolutely can, and when we do, it only leads to more greatness.

Do you have any dream collaborators in mind?
In the beginning, we might have listed massive global brands as dream collaborators. However, as time has passed, our dream collaborator has evolved into someone who is a product of Dankie Sounds. Years down the line, we envision collaborating with individuals who have been part of the Dankie journey, who have crafted their own empires, garnered their own following, and created their own communities. Whether it’s a DJ, artist, fashion designer, or chef, working together to achieve greatness with those who have been part of our journey feels like the ultimate dream collaboration. It might sound cliché, but it’s genuinely the truth.

Any standout moments in your career so far?
Every day feels like a new highlight when we reflect on how far we’ve come in such a short span – yet, also how much further we have to go. If we had to pick one, it would be witnessing the progress and growth of our Dankie Sounds family. Seeing our DJs, instrument players, hosts, dancers, and team flourish is awe-inspiring. Dankie Sounds wasn’t built on big stars; it’s built on identifying diamonds in the rough – individuals who are talented, driven, and committed to realizing their dreams. This, without a doubt, has been our most significant highlight. When we witness the number of bookings our acts like Terminal 4 (Host), Nicky Summers (DJ), DJ L.A.J, Bernitazm (host/dancer), Obe380 (guitarist), Klasik (pianist), and many more receive in a single month today, it feels like a scene from a Netflix movie. We’ve also nurtured talent within our wider team, watching them grow in confidence, ability, and experience across roles like security, artist relations, stage management, content creation, operations, and production. It’s a beautiful journey to be part of.

What’s on the horizon for Dankie Sounds?
World domination is the goal! It’s a step-by-step process, but our daily focus revolves around elevating quality, enriching experiences, enhancing cultural significance, expanding global reach, and helping dreams come true. While we don’t have every detail mapped out for Dankie’s future, three things are certain – it will be EXCITING, INNOVATIVE, and undoubtedly DANKIE!

If you asked me what’s on the horizon for Dankie? I’d start talking about Dankie Rooms, Ladies Love Dankie, We Create. and more but let’s save some for their own well deserved spotlights in the future.