DJ Hydra is coming in hot with his debut EP Moyo Wa Upendo, and it’s the kind of project that stops you in your tracks.
If you’ve been sleeping on DJ Hydra, now’s the time to wake up. He’s quickly becoming one of Afro House’s most exciting new voices, and Moyo Wa Upendo proves it beyond a doubt. The EP officially drops June 6th via OVAVA Music, but the buzz has already started, especially with his debut single Bamidele lined up for release just days earlier on May 30th.
The title track, Moyo Wa Upendo, which translates to “heart of love” in Swahili, is a stunning emotional ride through layered Afrocentric rhythms and warm electronic textures. DJ Hydra blends original Swahili vocals with his signature beats and soul, making it more than just music – it’s storytelling, it’s identity, and it’s a vibe. This isn’t just some throwaway debut. It’s clearly personal. There’s heart in every beat, and you can feel that Hydra’s dug deep to create something rooted in culture but made for now.
He doesn’t hold back on the production either. The percussion slaps, the synth work is textured and rich, and the overall composition balances high energy with introspective moments. That mix of traditional influence and modern execution is where DJ Hydra shines. It’s got that rawness Afro House heads love, but it’s also polished and ready for the world stage.
Then there’s Like House, the B-side track that rounds out the two-track EP. If Moyo Wa Upendo is the soul, then Like House is the fire. It’s high-energy, full-bodied Afro House built for the dancefloor. Think late-night sets, festival stages, packed rooms where the bass makes your chest shake. It keeps things authentic with raw, unfiltered percussion and driving rhythms, but never loses sight of Hydra’s distinctive flavor. The two tracks together feel like a statement: DJ Hydra isn’t here to blend in – he’s here to build his own lane.
This release is also a major win for OVAVA Music. Label boss Ollie Mundy has been curating a steady stream of standout Afro House releases, and DJ Hydra’s EP marks their 8th release – a symbolic number for a label clearly hitting its stride. OVAVA has been getting major attention from industry heavyweights, with coverage in DJ Mag, Mixmag, and Techno Mood, and this EP just adds fuel to the fire.
Ollie Mundy himself has been enjoying a massive year with the label and is gearing up for his returning residency at Ibiza’s legendary Pikes for the Back To Mine sessions. That momentum from the label side is directly feeding into artists like Hydra, who are now benefitting from a platform that understands and respects Afro House’s roots while still pushing the sound forward.
And it doesn’t stop there for DJ Hydra. While Moyo Wa Upendo is dropping through OVAVA, his next move is already locked: the launch of his own label, Suru Records, alongside the release of Bamidele. That’s a huge step for any artist, let alone one at the beginning of his journey. But it makes sense, Hydra has been carefully crafting his sound for years, pulling inspiration from Afro House icons like Keinemusik and Black Coffee, and now he’s ready to take full control of his artistic direction.
The excitement around DJ Hydra isn’t just hype. His music speaks for itself. Moyo Wa Upendo is more than just two tracks, it’s a promise. A promise that there’s a new name in the Afro House scene worth watching. Someone who respects the roots but isn’t afraid to twist the genre into something fresh. And if this is what he’s bringing to the table now, you can bet whatever comes next will be even bigger.
The EP will be available exclusively through Beatport starting June 6, before hitting all major streaming platforms. If you’re into Afro House, or even if you’re just curious about what’s next in electronic music, this is one release you don’t want to sleep on.
