Acclaimed creative, DJ and SAMA-nominated artist unveils striking artwork and release date for his highly anticipated new projectFollowing the critical acclaim and SAMA nomination of his groundbreaking EP Next Level, creative visionary, DJ and cultural tastemaker Lelowhatsgood has officially announced his forthcoming EP, Rebirth Is Necessary, set for release on 3 July 2026.
Accompanied by the unveiling of its powerful cover artwork, Rebirth Is Necessary marks a bold new chapter in Lelo’s artistic journey. Building on the sonic foundations established by Next Level, the project continues his mission of reframing Dance and African Electronic Music through an uncompromising and boundary-pushing lens.Drawing from the worlds of 3-Step, Afro Tech, Gqom, Is’qinsi and experimental club music, Rebirth Is Necessary challenges conventional understandings of genre, rhythm and identity.
The project exists at the intersection of tradition and futurism, creating a sonic landscape that is both deeply rooted in African musical expression and unapologetically forward-thinking.At its core, the EP invites listeners to reconsider what club music can be.
“Rebirth Is Necessary challenges listeners to rethink everything they know about club music,” says Lelo “It’s about pushing beyond genre limitations and exploring how rhythm, identity and sound can continuously evolve. This project represents growth, transformation and the freedom to exist in multiple forms at once.”The artwork accompanying the announcement serves as a visual extension of the EP’s themes.
Inspired by late artist and close friend Lunga Ntila, the cover incorporates fragments, photo manipulation and collage techniques to explore the ongoing process of self-formation in a world that often seeks to simplify and categorise complexity.The visual language reflects many of the same ideas found within the music itself: displacement, distortion and reconstruction. Individual pieces come together to form a cohesive whole, symbolising an identity that is constantly evolving rather than fixed.For Lelowhatsgood, whose work has consistently bridged music, culture, fashion and community, Rebirth Is Necessary is more than a collection of songs.
It is a statement on transformation, self-definition and creative possibility. It reflects the realities of existing between multiple worlds and finding strength in fluidity, experimentation and reinvention.The announcement arrives at a time when Lelowhatsgood continues to establish himself as one of South Africa’s most exciting cultural voices, known not only for his work behind the decks but also for his role in shaping conversations around nightlife, identity, creativity and contemporary African culture.
As the release of Rebirth Is Necessary is now officially on the horizon, audiences can expect a project that expands the boundaries of African electronic music while remaining deeply personal in its exploration of growth, belonging and becoming.Rebirth Is Necessary drops on Friday, 3 July 2026. Fans can pre-save the EP now.Be sure to follow @lelowhatsgood on socials for the latest updates and announcements.
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