DJ Lag and Sinjin Hawke Unite on Powerful Club Anthem “Raptor”
South African Gqom pioneer DJ Lag has teamed up with acclaimed Canadian-American producer Sinjin Hawke for “Raptor,” an explosive new instrumental from his debut album Meeting with the King.
The high-energy collaboration showcases the limitless evolution of Gqom, blending DJ Lag’s signature minimal, percussion-driven sound with Sinjin Hawke’s cinematic production style to create one of the album’s standout club records.
A Boundary-Pushing Gqom Collaboration
“Raptor” represents the meeting of two innovative electronic music producers from different corners of the world.
DJ Lag’s hypnotic drum patterns and stripped-back production are elevated by Hawke’s grand orchestral influences and melodic textures, creating a track designed to ignite dancefloors worldwide.
Speaking about the collaboration, Sinjin Hawke said:
“There’s something special about the way Lag uses drums—they’re so tough and epic yet minimal and spacious at the same time. It has been a treat working with him.
We made a bunch of songs together over the pandemic and ‘Raptor’ stood out as the most potent mix of our styles. It was initially composed as an instrumental for a vocalist, but later we realised it sounded great on its own and decided to release it as a club track.”
Stunning “Raptor” Music Video Released
Alongside the single, DJ Lag has unveiled an eye-catching music video that made its debut on Crack Magazine.
The visual opens with DJ Lag dancing alongside a mythical creature in an electric blue environment, creating a futuristic atmosphere that perfectly complements the track’s powerful energy.
The video also features:
- Dynamic mosh pit-inspired dance scenes
- Bold lighting and saturated visuals
- Performance artist Manthe Ribane
- Styling by Tebogo Ribane
- Production by Sevi Spanoudi of Black Major
The video was directed by acclaimed Johannesburg-based photographer and visual artist Travys Owen, whose distinctive visual style adds another dimension to the release.
Sinjin Hawke’s Impressive Production Legacy
Known for pushing the boundaries of electronic music, Sinjin Hawke has built an impressive international reputation.
His previous work includes collaborations with:
- Kanye West
- Frank Ocean
- Just Blaze
- DJ Rashad
- MikeQ
Hawke is also widely recognised for his debut album First Opus and his experimental audiovisual project Fractal Fantasy alongside Zora Jones.
More Music on the Way
Following “Raptor,” DJ Lag will release “Destiny,” a collaboration with acclaimed South African singer-songwriter Amanda Black.
The track brings the producer back to his South African roots while continuing the sonic journey explored throughout Meeting with the King.
Building Momentum Ahead of Meeting with the King
Excitement surrounding DJ Lag’s debut album has continued to grow following:
- His first-ever DJ Mag cover feature
- A successful European tour
- Performances at Boiler Room Festival London
- Amsterdam Dance Event (ADE)
The album further cements DJ Lag’s reputation as one of the pioneers responsible for taking Gqom from Durban to the global electronic music scene.
Meeting with the King Release Date
DJ Lag’s debut album Meeting with the King was released worldwide on 18 February 2022, showcasing his evolution as one of South Africa’s most influential electronic music producers.
Listen to “Raptor”
Stream or download DJ Lag and Sinjin Hawke’s ‘Raptor’ here: http://platoon.lnk.to/rapture
