Embrace the summer spirit with AB DOLLAR$’ Afrobeats mix

We’re in the middle of summer now and we’ve got to lap up any good vibes that come our way, especially after the year we’ve all just had.

AB DOLLAR$ is well-equipped to soundtrack the good times. The London-based DJ is in charge of The Native magazine’s show on No Signal, and since 2016 she’s hosted plenty of parties with RONIEBOND – her female-focused platform which acts as a beacon for Black British Culture.

AB$’s musical expertise ranges from contemporary Afrobeats, to West African alté artists and South Africa’s much-hyped amapiano genre. Enjoy a blend of hip-shaking rhythms, sweet melodies and lovestruck lyricism with her Face Mix below.

What’s the vibe and direction of your Face Mix?

This is the soundtrack of SUMMER. Afrobeats encapsulates the season and the feeling. I’ve pulled together some very, very new Afrobeats as well as some classics and thrown some amapiano-hybrid tunes in there too.

A lot of Nigerian artists are jumping on amapiano beats and I’m enjoying seeing the West and South of Africa connect – they’re making magic.

What are some of the club nights and venues that have been important to your trajectory as a DJ?

I’m a sucker for basement spaces!! I feel like I’m climbing into another world. Visions in Dalston, where I did the first-ever RONIEBOND party, really set the pace for the vibe and energy that I wanted to curate at future events.

I feel like some of my fave parties were at Miranda in the Ace Hotel too. We launched our second zine there, that space was a perfect size, temperature and vibe. But sadly it’s one of the spaces that fell victim to the pandemic.

Who are some of the artists in the London scene that THE FACE’s readers should check out?

In terms of Afrobeats, London has some of the best producers like P2J and Juls. In terms of newer artists, Midas the Jagaban has given us some solid vibes and Bellah is making spiritual music that’s weighty and melodic. Tomi Agape is also creating alté sounds that I love!! And for those who don’t know, alté is one of Afrobeats sister genres, sonically it’s a bit more experimental – it’s the music that Tems and Cruel Santino are pioneering.