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How to Mix Afro House

By: Andrew Duffield

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Mixing Afro House: The Balance Between Soulful Flow & Real DJing

Afro House has a unique energy that blends deep rhythms, soulful melodies, and tribal influences into an immersive journey. When it comes to DJing Afro House, there are two main schools of thought:

1. Soulful Mixing - This approach is all about letting the tracks breathe, focusing on smooth transitions, and allowing the music to tell its own story. Here, the DJ acts as a guide rather than a performer, subtly enhancing the flow of a set without overshadowing the natural beauty of each track.
2. "Real DJing" - This method incorporates technical skills, such as looping, effects, and creative transitions, to elevate the energy and create a dynamic experience. While this approach also respects the journey of a set, it involves a more active role in shaping the performance.

I once read a quote that said, successful people don't choose between one or the other - they do both. That resonated with me because, in my experience, Afro House requires a balance. You need to relax, feel the heartbeat of each track, and immerse yourself in the moment. However, as the set progresses and the dance floor starts to build, introducing more creative transitions and effects can elevate the energy to a whole new level.

How to Mix Afro House

In the first video at the top of the page I demonstrate different ways to mix Afro House, including where to mix, how long to play both tracks together, how to control energy through faster mixing, how to mix even when there's no obvious place to transition, and how to use looping to highlight certain parts of a track so you can extend your transitions smoothly. Let's do this!

When it comes to transitions, there are really three main questions:

1. How much of the track do you want to play?
2. Where is a safe place in the mix to pull off a clean transition?
3. How long do you want to play both songs together for, and how do you pick your next track?

How Much of Each Track Should You Play?

One of the biggest questions DJs have is: How long should I play each track? The answer depends on the vibe you're trying to create and your position in the lineup.

Early Set: If you're playing an opening set, it's often best to let tracks play out. Full-length plays allow the audience to absorb the music without feeling rushed. It creates a deep, hypnotic experience, which works well for setting a mood.

Peak Time Set: If you're headlining, the energy needs to be higher, and this is where mixing quicker can enhance the overall experience. Cutting tracks earlier, layering more elements, and using effects can build momentum and maintain engagement.

That said, I personally like to do both. In this set, I start by setting the mood, letting tracks breathe, and then gradually introducing more energy as the journey unfolds. If you're new to mixing Afro House, I recommend starting with full tracks, as that's what many established DJs in the genre do. Once you get comfortable, you can experiment with shorter playtimes and more dynamic transitions.

Creative Mixing Techniques

Creative Ways to Mix Afro House

1. Layering Percussion Loops

One of the defining elements of Afro House is its rich percussion. You can enhance your mix by layering additional drum loops or percussion sounds over your transitions. This can help maintain energy while subtly shifting the groove from one track to another. Try using congas, bongos, or shakers to bridge tracks seamlessly.

2. Long, Harmonic Blends

Afro House tracks often have extended intros and outros which provide plenty of opportunity to do seamless blends between tracks. If you're just starting out I suggest that you find two tracks in the same or compatible keys and slowly bring in the next track while keeping elements of the outgoing track playing. This creates a smooth, evolving mix rather than a sudden switch. You can also use your EQ to control the dominant track in the mix - remember once you swap the basses you've committed, the mids are more to control each tracks personality and the highs take away or soften that harsh edge - all taught in detail in my Club Ready Course.

3. Creative Use of FX

Utilise effects like reverbs, delays, and filters to create atmosphere and tension during transitions. Echoing out vocals or filtering out the bass can build anticipation before dropping into the next track. Just be careful not to overdo it - subtlety is key..

4. Swap the Drops Baby!!

A fun technique is to replace the drop of one track with the drop of another. To do this I suggest finding the drop on both tracks and setting a cue points 16 bars earlier on both tracks, then mix in your new track underneath using your EQ and and switch out one drop with the the drop of the new track. Kinda hard to explain in words but watch my videos for examples (again all taught in masterful detail in my Club Ready DJ Course - complete package!!

5. Looping and Layering Vocals

Many Afro House tracks feature soulful or tribal vocals that can be looped and layered creatively. You can extend a vocal phrase over a breakdown or use it as a transition tool before introducing the next track. This adds a live remixing feel to your set which is so much fun.

6. Energy Level Control

Afro House sets should flow naturally with peaks and valleys. Instead of maintaining high energy throughout, strategically bring in deeper, chiller and soulful tracks before pushing into a more percussive, high-energy moment. Controlling energy keeps the audience engaged and prevents shit getting boring. I also use transitions to control energy. For instance intro over outro is great to bring energy back and mixing quicker (eg: only playing a small part of a track, or even replacing the drop) can enhance the energy. The key is balance.

7. Mashups and Acapellas

Get creative by mixing acapellas from one track with instrumentals from another. The key with mash ups on the fly is to pick tracks that are close in key or even better the same key for a perfect harmonic mix. Control how the tracks sit together with your EQ. No doubt Afro House's steady rhythm and deep basslines make it a great genre for experimenting with vocal overlays.

Switching up your transitions and deciding how much of each track to play puts you in the driver's seat of your set's energy. Many DJs - even pros - play full tracks and mix on the outro. I once did a video on how Fisher DJs, where I found his entire set online and analyzed his transitions. He always mixed on the outro and played full tracks. This works, especially if you're showcasing your own productions or the crowd knows and loves the tracks, but I encourage DJs to think more creatively with their mixing.

The Role of Effects in Afro House Mixing

When it comes to Afro House, effects can be powerful tools - but only when used tastefully. Unlike high-energy EDM, where effects are often over-the-top, Afro House benefits from subtle, intentional use of tools like:

Looping: Great for extending grooves, teasing elements, and layering transitions.

Echo/Reverb: Helps smooth out transitions and create depth.

Filters: A must-have for shaping energy and building anticipation.

Delay: Adds a spacey, hypnotic touch when used sparingly.

Morbius Effect (XDJ-AZ): A unique sound effect that can be used to add character to a mix.

The key is not to overdo it - effects should enhance the flow, not disrupt it. In this set, I start with minimal effects, focusing on clean transitions, then gradually incorporate more creative techniques as the energy builds.

How to Know What to Play Next

Picking the next track can be tough. Some DJs choose songs based on harmonic mixing, while others prioritize energy and feel. When playing Afro House, it helps to be aware of its different subgenres and flow between them seamlessly.

Here's my way of categorizing Afro House:

1. Drum-focused Afro House - Heavy on percussion and tribal beats.
2. Vocal-driven Afro House - Emphasis on African-inspired vocals and melodies.
3. Afro Tech - A fusion of Afro House and Techno, often with darker, more hypnotic elements.
4. Afro House Remixes - Popular songs remixed with Afro House rhythms.

You'll also find Afro House tracks with deeper, more soulful vibes, some leaning toward deep house, and others incorporating elements of organic house. These days, as long as a track has an African-inspired groove, it gets labeled as Afro House. With its growing popularity, many producers are jumping on the bandwagon, so it's important to curate wisely. If I'm playing a non-Afro House event, I'll mix Afro House with Tech House or Downtempo Organic Housewhile being mindful of the energy shifts to maintain a smooth flow.

Building a Set with Flow

A great DJ set should feel cohesive, not repetitive. I like to take listeners on a journey, crafting a dynamic experience rather than just stringing together one-off tracks.

Think of your set like a poem rather than a collection of random sentences. Each transition should flow naturally into the next, with intentional push and pull in energy. Sometimes, I'll pull the energy back before dropping a big track, or if I go heavy, I'll transition into something more melodic to reset the vibe.

How to Maintain Set Flow

1. Read the crowd and respond to their energy.
2. Use different transition styles to keep things fresh.
3. Be mindful of how different Afro House subgenres blend.
4. Plan some moments where the energy builds, peaks, and resolves.

The best DJs don't just play tracks - they tell a story with their music.

What Do You Do When You're Not Transitioning?

Another common question is: If I'm playing full tracks, what do I do for the three to five minutes between transitions?

This is where mindset and presence come in. Instead of seeing these moments as downtime, I view them as opportunities for personal growth and connection.

People always say, Dance like no one's watching. But when you're DJing - especially on camera - you know for a fact that people are watching. This awareness can make some DJs feel self-conscious. If you focus on how awkward you feel, that energy translates to the audience.

So, my approach is to use the music to get out of my head and into my body.

Stop overanalyzing. Instead of thinking about every little movement, just feel the music.

Have fun. If you're enjoying yourself, it's infectious. Your energy sets the tone for the audience.

Be present. Connect with the rhythm, feel the aliveness of the moment, and let go of any need to "perform."

Move naturally. Whether it's subtle head nods, a bit of groove, or full-on dancing, movement is a powerful way to express passion.

If you had to choose between watching a DJ who looks serious and focused on technicalities versus one who is clearly in love with what they're doing, who would you rather watch? People resonate with authenticity, not just technical perfection.

Should You Dance While DJing?

This is a personal choice, but in my experience, the answer is yes - as long as it's authentic. Some DJs prefer to stay composed, while others fully embrace the music and move with it. The important thing is that whatever you do feels natural to you.

For me, DJing is about connection. I connect with the music, the audience (even if it's through a camera), and the energy of the moment. Dancing is a natural extension of that. That said, it's also about balance - you don't want to be so focused on movement that you neglect your transitions and technical flow.

So in this video, let me know:

Does it look okay to authentically enjoy myself while DJing?

Should DJs be free to express their love for music through movement, or is there a middle ground where it's best to stay composed?

Final Thoughts

Afro House mixing is an art that balances smooth, soulful flow with technical creativity. Whether you prefer longer blends or high-energy transitions, the key is to find your style and trust the music and your mixing skills!! Remember confidence comes from practise!!

I hope this video and blog gave you new ideas for mixing Afro House. thanks for your support. Do what you love and love hat you do and know when you Mix Afro it's not always about doing, it's about being - which means sometimes chilling out and letting the tracks breathe. Follow your heartBEAT!!