Lady of the House Launches First-Ever South African Demo Competition to Spotlight Women & Non-Binary Talent in Electronic Music
In a powerful step toward reshaping the electronic music landscape in South Africa, Lady of the House—the globally respected platform celebrating women and non-binary talent in dance music—has launched its inaugural local demo competition.
This milestone initiative offers an unparalleled opportunity for underrepresented producers across South Africa to gain visibility, support, and a pathway to the global stage.
List of the Godmothers and the Ambassador Money Badoo | SUPPLIED
Four winners will be selected to release their music via Lady of the House Records—a label whose releases are known for charting on Beatport, Traxsource, and iTunes, peak time plays on BBC Radio 1, features in DJ Mag & Mixmag and for elevating emerging talent worldwide. Winners will be selected by a dynamic trio of South African Lady of the House Godmothers:
- Gigi Lamayne – multi-award-winning cultural icon
- Namakau Star – genre-bending creative
- SHAMISO – cutting-edge producer and DJ
And Lady of the House’s recently appointed first South African ambassador Money Badoo—an artist whose boundary-pushing sound and vision embody the movement’s values of creativity and inclusion.
Previous winners in other territories have since gained major backing from Spotify, SoundCloud, and top music media, landing bookings at Hï and Amnesia (Ibiza), Amsterdam Dance Event (ADE), Glastonbury Festival and radio features. The South Africa edition is creating the same waves & offering winners a massive prize package with all the tools to kickstart their careers and gain global exposure.
Prizes include:
- DJ/production tools from Beatport and TribeXR
- Full scholarship to the Pete Tong DJ Academy, with the chance of an exclusive award.
- A professional photo shoot
- Expert mentorship from established music professionals who will guide the next wave of creators, providing career-shaping feedback and connecting them to key industry pathways.
- A full release on Lady of the House Records supported by a targeted promotional campaign
- Access to Lady of the House’s vast global creative network, including tastemakers like Gray Area, dedicated to uniting the international house music community and spotlighting new talent, and Broadwick Live, the force behind iconic venues like Drumsheds and Printworks, known for world-class artist collaborations. These connections help unlock global opportunities and reflect the rising demand for fresh, diverse sounds from Africa and beyond.
Prize List | SUPPLIED
“Lady of the House is about opening doors where there were none,” says founder Laila McKenzie, who co-authored the platform’s origin as a book of 150 women’s stories. “This competition is about amplifying the brilliance of South Africa’s underground and building bridges to the world stage.”
This initiative is part of LOTH’s growing presence across the Global South, building on successful campaigns in Brazil and beyond. It is made possible in South Africa through SAVE THE NIGHT – Jägermeister’s global platform for positive change in nightlife – reinforcing the power of music as a force for connection, transformation, and equality.
In a time where the music industry still struggles with systemic exclusion, Lady of the House continues to pave a bold new path – one record, one story, and one artist at a time.
Entries are now open via LabelRadar and close on 17 July 2025. Women and non-binary artists living in South Africa are encouraged to submit their unreleased demos for consideration.