Mechanical Advantage Chapter3

Ocaya Herbert, aka Crazymind Original, is a versatile Ugandan artist and educator known for his dynamic performances that blend Hip Hop, Afro-house, Afro-tech, Deep house, Traditions, Techno, and Acholitronix—a mix of traditional Acholi and electronic sounds. He has performed with Otim Alpha at major festivals like Nyege Nyege and Primavera Sound. Since 2016, he has captivated audiences as a DJ by seamlessly mixing various genres. Crazymind volunteers as an art teacher and social media manager for organizations, mentoring youth and inmates to inspire change through music and dance. He founded AFRO-LAB to promote healing through music, with a mission to inspire and educate through his unique brand of edutainment.

Don Zilla is a distinctive and spiritual music producer known for his transdimensional sounds that blend traditional African music with bass and experimental elements. His work encompasses genres like dub, drum & bass, industrial techno, and abstract sounds, creating a unique, richly textured, and groovy sound marked by heavy bass lines, hypertribal drums, and futuristic beats. DJs play his music worldwide, and he premiered internationally at the CTM festival in Berlin in 2019. In Kampala, he mixes his productions with diverse dance and bass music. He is dedicated to promoting Ugandan traditional music, offering curatorial services and pro bono management to traditional troupes, aiming to preserve and develop traditional music in Uganda. Since 2016, he has managed Kampala’s Boutiq Studio and is a key member of the Nyege Nyege collective. He has performed at numerous international festivals and clubs, including Womex in Porto, Roskilde in Denmark, and Unsound in Poland. Additionally, Don Zilla is an activist and Pan-Africanist involved in cultural, environmental, and humanitarian activities that promote positivity in society.

ITSMDNYT is a highly talented mixed media artist based in Kampala, known for her expertise in DJing, music production, singing, creative writing, and curating alternative music events. Her unique musical style combines contemporary experimental sounds and dance music with African tribal percussion and captivating vocals, resulting in a genre-bending sound that sets her apart.

Coming from Rwanda, Lyynduh is a multi-talented artist DJ known for her electrifying performances. With over five years on the decks, she enjoys mixing afrobeats, dub, disco, and more into unforgettable sets that connect people through music. Lyynduh has taken her musical journey across borders, captivating audiences in Belgium/Liege, where she played for GoldenGlobe and Bafana, and enchanting crowds in Uganda. Most importantly, she has made her mark in her home country of Rwanda, where she has had the privilege of sharing the stage with amazing artists and DJs. Beyond her DJ career, Lyynduh is a co-founder of Elle Kwa Mziki, a female artist platform and residency program, providing a safe space for women to learn and express themselves creatively, breaking free from societal limitations.