Rapidly emerging as a defining force within the global Afro House scene, DJ HYDRA continues his meteoric rise with the second release on his own imprint, Suru Records.
A producer with a clear artistic vision and emotionally charged sound, HYDRA is quickly carving his path on the international stage. His breakout productions have landed on respected labels including OVAVA Music, and he has recently signed a forthcoming release with DJ Spen’s legendary Quantize Recordings.
His latest single, “5am in Soho,” captures an evocative late-night energy—a melodic anthem that perfectly distills a universal moment. It’s that euphoric stretch of time when the party should be winding down, but the music pulls you in for one last dance. It’s the blissful blur of dawn, a feeling of pure liberation, with a childlike urge to climb on rooftops and keep moving—a soundtrack to true freedom.
Reflecting on the track, HYDRA shares:
“This one is deeply personal to me. I’m the kind of friend who disappears at 5 a.m. for side quests, and then you find me back on the dance floor grooving until the lights come on. This is my theme song; it represents the start of the end of the night.”
Blending deep African-inspired rhythms with cutting-edge electronic grooves, HYDRA has honed a signature sound that resonates on underground dancefloors and international festival stages alike. His music has earned support from influential tastemakers including Themba, Paco Osuna, Arthur Baker, Ruben Mandolini, and Maxi Meraki, and he continues to draw attention from leading electronic music publications and an ever-growing global fanbase.
This new release follows the impact of his debut on Suru Records, “Bamidele,” which climbed to #5 on the Traxsource Afro House chart and broke into the platform’s overall Top 10. His very first track, “Like House,” amassed over 10,000 streams within two months, prompting UK label OVAVA Music to sign and re-release it. He later delivered a remix for label head Ollie Mundy, which received multiple plays at Burning Man and across high-profile festival sets.
Now officially signed to both OVAVA Music and Quantize Recordings, with more releases in the pipeline, DJ HYDRA is establishing himself as one of Afro House’s most versatile and emotionally driven rising stars. Influenced by pioneers like Black Coffee and Keinemusik, he has spent years refining a sound that bridges the intimacy of club culture with the scale and energy of global festivals.
Ahead of his upcoming UK and European tour dates, HYDRA is also preparing a remix for UK duo Sunana, reworking one of their label’s biggest anthems, alongside a series of guest mixes for leading London radio stations. With major DJ support across the board—from Defected’s Croatia events where DJ Spen has been road-testing his tracks to new signings and sought-after limited-edition edits—it’s clear that DJ HYDRA is not just climbing; he’s building a legacy destined to last.
DJ HYDRA: Instagram
Suru Records: Instagram