New York-based DJ and producer AQUTIE reveals her top 10 anthems that energise her spirit and make her feel invincible.

‘Dangerous’ by Ice Beats Slide & Sbuda Maleather

Ice Beat Slide knows how to take a classic and flip it! The vocals are from this older South African house song called ‘Amerido’ by DJ Cndo and Daddy. The lyrics remain a mystery but one thing I know is that the song is a bop. It's one of my favourite songs to play in a set that gets the crowd hyped with its elements of new school vs old school, which makes the crowd go crazy. 

‘Midnight Prayer’ by Felo Le Tee, Mellow & Sleazy, Keynote & LK Deepstix

The first time I heard this song I lost my mind. This is one of those songs that doesn’t need lyrics. The beat is infectious; you can't help but get up and dance.

‘Jikeleza’ by DJ Stopper, DBN Gogo, Khanyisa, KMAT & Stixx

I always feel like I'm in my own little music video when walking through the streets of NYC and this song is easily in the soundtrack. It's a great song to get your day started.

‘Shake Shake’ by Caiiro

Caiiro is my musical hero! I love to hear how his music has evolved over the years. This song evokes an emotion out of me that I cannot put into words. It honestly feels like he’s waking up the ancestors. It's so powerful! 

‘African Train’ by Rude, Mr Hands & Rhodalia Silvestre (Argento Dust Remix)

The lyrics are originally from Hugh Masekela’s ‘Stimela (The Coal Train)’. He told this story so beautifully and it puts in perspective the trials and tribulations our ancestors went through and how they overcame them. The message is powerful and this adaptation takes you to a whole other world. 

‘Kunanga’ by Morex & Lilocox

The synths in this song are crazy and the drums are so ancestral. It reminds me of Michael Jackson's ‘They Don’t Care About Us’ music video. I can picture a band of drums parading down a street playing this beat. 

‘The Clique’ by Thandi Draai, Candy Man, Cuebur & Kitty Amor

This record is goated. This project is fabulous. Thandi Draai did such a good job curating this and it shows. I love how they mixed in some Amapiano elements like the log drum. It's a nice crossbreed between Afrotech, 3-step, & Amapiano. 

‘Big Bag Bounce’ by AQUTIE & Paulina Singer

This one is dedicated to all my QTs out there killing the game, always in your bag and never getting out of it! Let me be clear, a baddie can be anyone. I made this record to empower everyone and Paulina did such a good job channeling that. It isn't limited to one kind of person. If you're confident in yourself and no one can check you? This song is for you boo.

‘U Got Me’ by Shermanology

I heard this song live at the Lightning in a Bottle Festival 2024 and was blown away by how powerful Dorthy’s voice was. This duo knows how to bring their music to life. I love how they re-imagined this record; the song talks about love and love has a way of empowering us. Love heals the world and when you're loved in the best way possible it can be such a beautiful thing to experience.

‘Pushing On’ by Rene Asmesz

The lyrics are very simple but motivational. Life be lifting sometimes but you always need a constant reminder that everything is going to be okay. Don't give up! Keep pushing on.