Johnnie Walker AfroExchange Returns to Lagos with Naak as Headliner

South African Afro-house Artist Naak to Headline Johnnie Walker AfroExchange in Lagos

Johnnie Walker AfroExchange will return to Element House on 17 April at Landmark Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos, with South African artist Naak announced as the headliner for the upcoming Lagos edition.

Naak, whose real name is Anga Makubalo, was born in New Brighton, Port Elizabeth, has established a dynamic career across music, film and performance. While he first gained recognition as a lead actor, MJ Memela on the South African soap opera Generations, and as a rising house vocalist, his recent work has centred on Afro-house, drawing from the country’s rich house music tradition. Over the years he has collaborated with influential names including Black Coffee, DJ Tira, Heavy K and Euphonik. From early releases such as Camagu with Nichume and Mobi Dixon to more recent collaborations with Afro-house collective Kususa, his sound reflects a shift towards a deeper and more globally oriented interpretation of the genre.

The Lagos event will also feature Nigerian-American electronic producer Eli Fola, Naija House Mafia and South African DJ Merlon, bringing together artists whose work reflects the growing exchange between African electronic music scenes.

Johnnie Walker AfroExchange is a cultural platform inspired by the brand’s Keep Walking ethos. It connects creative voices across the continent through music, fashion, food and art, creating space for collaboration between the people and ideas shaping contemporary African culture.

The Element House collaboration has become a consistent home for Johnnie Walker AfroExchange in Lagos, drawing thousands of attendees since late 2025 and hosting artists such as Francis Mercier, Vanco, Masšh and Lemon and Herb. The platform continues to spotlight Afro-house as one of the sounds linking African audiences and creative communities today.