DJ Lag releases NOPS as part of Mzansi Bass, a new compilation curated by Shannen SP and released through Colombian label Tratratrax.
The project marks a first-time collaboration between DJ Lag and both Shannen SP and the label. It also places the Gqom pioneer alongside a new generation of artists shaping the future of South African electronic music.
Set for release on 12 June, Mzansi Bass explores the sonic worlds between 3-step, Gqom, darker strains of amapiano, and experimental club music rooted in Black African rave culture. The compilation draws influence from scenes across Durban, Johannesburg, Cape Town, and the Eastern Cape while highlighting how these local sounds continue to resonate globally.
Through “NOPS,” DJ Lag contributes a track that reflects the raw, physical, and hypnotic energy that has defined his sound for over a decade. His inclusion on the project feels especially significant as the compilation positions foundational artists alongside emerging names pushing bass music into new territories.
Curated by Shannen SP, the release forms part of Tratratrax’s broader effort to spotlight underground scenes and sonic movements outside traditional cultural centres. The project focuses on artists deeply connected to their local musical ecosystems while continuing to shape global club culture in real time.
As one of the defining architects of Gqom, DJ Lag’s presence on Mzansi Bass reinforces both the genre’s lasting influence and its continued evolution within contemporary electronic music.
