DJ Holy becomes the first African DJ to perform a live set from a hot air balloon. It sounds almost surreal, right?
In an exclusive Q&A, DJ Holy unpacks the inspiration and planning behind this sky-high performance, the specific beats that resonated in those rarefied heights, and what’s next on his path to pushing African music into fresh, uncharted territory.
So, Why a Hot Air Balloon?
Being the first and only Afrobeats, Amapiano, or African DJ to perform in a hot air balloon is something I’m incredibly proud of. In my own ways, my goal at the time was to continue finding new ways to push Afrobeats further in the UK.
The inspiration came after I saw Mr Belt & Wezol’s Hot Air Balloon DJ set. It was different —literally next-level. So, I did some research to see if any African DJs in my genres such as Afrobeats, Amapiano, or Afrohouse had done something similar. To my surprise, none had. At that moment, I just knew this was something I could do. Without considering the cost or logistics, we immediately began researching how to make a live Hot Air Balloon DJ set happen. One thing was non-negotiable: the set had to be live. I had to DJ the set in real time! I called my manager at the time, and we began the planning process.
After nearly a year of preparation and numerous last-minute cancellations due to the unpredictable British weather, we finally got the green light. One morning, we flew over Gloucester in a one-passenger, one-pilot hot air balloon, and I played African music for a full hour.
Living in the UK, sometimes it’s about creating unique ideas that help new audiences embrace our music genres from Africa. For me, it’s always been about finding innovative ways to push Afrobeats forward as a community. That’s why we did Afrobeats in the Sky.
Was there a specific song that felt like the moment?
The entire one-hour set was made up of songs I truly loved, and they perfectly captured how I was feeling at that moment. If I had to choose, I would say it was when I started playing Afrohouse songs like Dumalana and Koze Kuse, because I love Afrohouse. Even though I’m Nigerian, South African Afrohouse is my favorite genre.
I’m a very spiritual person, and I wanted to express that a bit (without going overboard, because of the audience), playing songs that really resonated with my vibe.
What’s the next “sky-high” goal for DJ Holy?
My next project is AfroCircle, an intimate event and pop-up mix brand I launched this year. Through our regular events and pop-up mixes, the goal is to create high-quality DJ-focused events while using the proceeds to support our community charity initiatives.
Many people have been asking when the next Hot Air Balloon DJ set will be, and I always tell them I’m not sure yet. It’s a very expensive project to pull off, and the logistics are challenging, especially here in the UK due to the unpredictable weather conditions.
This is a crazy idea, and that’s exactly what makes it brilliant! It’s not every day you hear about a DJ taking their set up into the skies. That kind of boldness, the audacity to break free from the usual and literally lift music to new heights captures the spirits of innovation.
This story is a testament to what can be achieved when creativity meets purpose.
