# shraf's house Discover more from shraf's house a place to share playlists, mixes, photos and musings # (very rare) #006: Swakacha Summer w/ Ally Fresh ### a summer soundtrack [ash.](https://substack.com/@shraf) Jun 19, 2026 1 **[Tracklist](https://www.dublab.com/archive/ash-w-ally-fresh-very-rare-swakacha-summer-06-17-26)** In the summer of 2018, I spent 5 weeks in Berlin participating in an electronic music hackathon that brought together ~20 young people from around the world. The program itself, although full of reality-tv-worthy drama, was fairly inconsequential but the trip’s impact on my creative journey has been immense. Club culture in Berlin blew my mind and sent me down a music discovery path that has yet to end. More importantly, though, I developed international friendships that have carried through to today. [Jahanzeb](https://www.instagram.com/urlhug/) has become one of my most consistent creative collaborator through [KCR](https://www.instagram.com/iheartkcr/), which had just started when we first met. [Vix](https://www.instagram.com/its._vix/), who hosted [last month’s (very rare)](https://www.dublab.com/archive/vix-vapor-rub-very-rare-05-20-26), became a local friend in both SF and LA, where we’ve danced, DJd and thrown countless parties. I visited the multi-talented [Sarah](https://www.instagram.com/djmetime/), aka DJ Me Time, in Toronto a couple years ago and had the absolute best time. [Natalie](https://www.instagram.com/natalie_mets/), founder of [IDA Radio](http://google.com/search?q=ida+radio&oq=ida+radio&gs_lcrp=EgZjaHJvbWUqDwgAEAAYQxjjAhiABBiKBTIPCAAQABhDGOMCGIAEGIoFMhIIARAuGEMYrwEYxwEYgAQYigUyBwgCEAAYgAQyDAgDEAAYFBiHAhiABDIHCAQQABiABDIGCAUQRRg8MgYIBhBFGDwyBggHEEUYPNIBBzgwNmowajeoAgCwAgA&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8) and now a big time politician, brought me to Estonia for a music conference and [an IDA guest spot](https://www.mixcloud.com/IDA_RAADIO/ida-folder-ash-280319/) (an hour of Bay Area slaps!) in 2019. And [Ally Fresh](https://www.instagram.com/djallyfresh/), who was my roommate in Berlin, has visited from Kenya almost yearly both in SF and LA. Every time he’s in town we’ve found ways to DJ, whether that be [radio episodes](https://bff.fm/broadcasts/18509), a legendary Bay-to-Breakers set or [one-off beach recordings](https://youtu.be/pri2_vSJEts?si=A0FkKBiQI4JynaWv). Since we first met, Ally has become one of the most sought after DJs in Kenya. His 2025 debut album _[Swakacha](https://open.spotify.com/album/7nys88wiMoCo8C7NDJnYgF?autoplay=true)_, which combines traditional East African Chakacha music with elements of contemporary Afro-House, has been making global waves. I’m always left inspired by his visits, with new genres and artists to dig in to. This might be our best collaboration yet. Ally’s mix is a celebration of music from across Africa, an education on sub-genres from Kenya to Ghana to Cape Verde to South Africa and a preview of his forthcoming deluxe album. In the second half, I drop in with some Gqom before closing out with some deep, classic and euphoric house. A perfect summer episode, in my humble opinion, and even more fitting for a World Cup with the most African teams ever. Go Egypt! # selectz ### Ally’s Picks (and words) **Ally Fresh, Braines & DJ IV - “Kadenge”**\[ [Spotify](https://open.spotify.com/track/68WbDr1pTMV5f7ijSl8bXE?autoplay=true) \| [Apple Music](https://music.apple.com/us/album/kadenge/6768897824?i=6768897826)\] Kadenge - YouTube Tap to unmute [Kadenge](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b0cgV89zl4s) [Ally Fresh - Topic](https://www.youtube-nocookie.com/channel/UCg9Q_AAz9J72FY6N59_AjPQ) Ally Fresh - Topic147 subscribers The reason I love this track is that it’s my latest single from my upcoming Swakacha Deluxe project and, in many ways, it captures the spirit of the Swakacha sound. Working with DJ IV made it even more special because we grew up in the same estate and some of the melodies and chants on the record are the very ones we used to sing as kids. Maybe that’s why the song carries such a strong sense of nostalgia for me. Braines’ contribution brings in that unmistakable coastal flavour, tying everything together and reminding me of those good old days growing up in Mombasa. **DopeNation - “Kakalika”**\[ [Spotify](https://open.spotify.com/track/1p5F0slR5AF49EDX5o125x?autoplay=true) \| [Apple Music](https://music.apple.com/us/album/kakalika/1839067700?i=1839067702)\] DopeNation - Kakalika (Official Video) - YouTube Tap to unmute [DopeNation - Kakalika (Official Video)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KkRLePQihiA) [DopeNation](https://www.youtube-nocookie.com/channel/UCz2c5oLDTIqJ72ZGmxoUrCw) DopeNation165K subscribers I first discovered this track through my cousin and her roommate, and it’s been stuck in my head ever since. Ghana has consistently pushed African music forward, and “Kakalika” is another great example of that innovation. The Ghanapiano production feels fresh, playful, and effortlessly creative. The visuals are just as entertaining as the song itself, with the dancers adding another layer of energy and helping explain why the track became such a viral hit. DopeNation glide over the beat with their cheeky, call-and-response lyricism, making it impossible not to move. **General C’mamane - “Money Tree (GQOM)”**\[ [Spotify](https://open.spotify.com/track/27M7SZ9Uyzlkwpo8jGE8DX?autoplay=true) \| [Apple Music](https://music.apple.com/us/album/money-tree-gqom/1804914556?i=1804914557)\] Money Tree (Gqom) - YouTube Tap to unmute [Money Tree (Gqom)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7zBdO8wzlEk) [General C'Mamane - Topic](https://www.youtube-nocookie.com/channel/UCp76jka7fJ7SoLc_eM2GHQQ) General C'Mamane - Topic This GQOM flip of Kendrick Lamar’s Money Trees is a reminder of why South African producers continue to shape global dance music. General C’Mamane absolutely cooked on this one, transforming a hip-hop classic into a timeless club anthem. It’s one of those tracks that instantly takes me back to my time in LA this past fall. The fusion of hip-hop and electronic dance music feels seamless, making it a song I keep coming back to. ### ash.’s picks (and words) **Mxshi Mo - “Orphans”**\[ [Spotify](https://open.spotify.com/track/6V5G5L2KNS7n1JOJoKWmzu?si=2e4c7b4769c344c4) \| [Apple Music](https://music.apple.com/us/album/orphan/1580069267?i=1580069279)\] [Orphans](https://mxshi-mo.bandcamp.com/track/orphans?from=embed) [buy](https://mxshi-mo.bandcamp.com/track/orphans?action=buy&from=embed) [Mxshi Mo](https://mxshi-mo.bandcamp.com/track/orphans?from=embed) 3201 Mxshi Mo 1.Orphans - 1. [Orphans](https://bandcamp.com/EmbeddedPlayer/size=large/bgcol=ffffff/linkcol=333333/tracklist=false/artwork=small/track=1800677987/transparent=true/#) 04:37 [buy](https://mxshi-mo.bandcamp.com/track/orphans?action=buy&from=embed)[share](https://mxshi-mo.bandcamp.com/track/orphans?action=share&from=embed) [Embed this tracksmallmediumlarge](https://mxshi-mo.bandcamp.com/track/orphans?action=embed) The South African Gqom genre, which Ally first introduced me to back in Berlin, remains the most useful for my sets. Its typical BPM sits in the realm of classic Techno/House and the stripped-back, yet hard-hitting, sound makes for some pretty cool blends. I remember when Ally was wrapping his head around Berlin Techno, he referenced this as its closest cousin within African music. I stumbled across South African producer [Mxshi Mo](https://mxshi-mo.bandcamp.com/album/3201) as a Bandcamp recommendation under a release from legendary UK DJ/producer Scratchclart. The [whole project](https://mxshi-mo.bandcamp.com/album/3201) is pretty cool and reaches well beyond Gqom. **Presence – “Work On Me”** [Work On Me (2022 remaster)](https://charleswebster.bandcamp.com/track/work-on-me-2022-remaster?from=embed) [buy](https://charleswebster.bandcamp.com/track/work-on-me-2022-remaster?action=buy&from=embed) [Presence](https://charleswebster.bandcamp.com/track/work-on-me-2022-remaster?from=embed) The Spectrum E.P Presence 1.Work On Me (2022 remaster) - 1. [Work On Me (2022 remaster)](https://bandcamp.com/EmbeddedPlayer/size=large/bgcol=ffffff/linkcol=333333/tracklist=false/artwork=small/track=2562356526/transparent=true/#) 07:12 [buy](https://charleswebster.bandcamp.com/track/work-on-me-2022-remaster?action=buy&from=embed)[share](https://charleswebster.bandcamp.com/track/work-on-me-2022-remaster?action=share&from=embed) [Embed this tracksmallmediumlarge](https://charleswebster.bandcamp.com/track/work-on-me-2022-remaster?action=embed) Presence is the deep house alias of British producer Charles Webster. His 1999 album, _All Systems Gone_, which came out on the eve of Y2K, was in heavy rotation as Ally and I were driving around LA. I initially planned on incorporating the beautiful “Better Day” in my set but “Work On Me,” from the recently reissued 2002 _Spectrum EP_, ultimately prevailed with its timeless sound. Presence - Better Day (Presence Vocal Mix) - YouTube Tap to unmute [Presence - Better Day (Presence Vocal Mix)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CdwM1CHy6Rc) [Free is in Da House](https://www.youtube-nocookie.com/channel/UCGkzJmg31dgczktvAikK7Qg) **Acid Arab – “Habaytak (feat. Ghizlane Melih) (DJ Gregory Africanism Remix)”**\[ [Spotify](https://open.spotify.com/album/5o3haZ1c6ahNcx15XLc1yc) \| [Apple Music](https://music.apple.com/us/album/habaytak-dj-gregory-africanism-remix-feat-ghizlane/1694565599)\] [Habaytak (DJ Gregory Africanism Remix)](https://acidarab.bandcamp.com/track/habaytak-dj-gregory-africanism-remix?from=embed) [buy](https://acidarab.bandcamp.com/track/habaytak-dj-gregory-africanism-remix?action=buy&from=embed) [Acid Arab](https://acidarab.bandcamp.com/track/habaytak-dj-gregory-africanism-remix?from=embed) Acid Arab 1.Habaytak (DJ Gregory Africanism Remix) - 1. [Habaytak (DJ Gregory Africanism Remix)](https://bandcamp.com/EmbeddedPlayer/size=large/bgcol=ffffff/linkcol=333333/tracklist=false/artwork=small/track=1300927840/transparent=true/#) 05:37 [buy](https://acidarab.bandcamp.com/track/habaytak-dj-gregory-africanism-remix?action=buy&from=embed)[share](https://acidarab.bandcamp.com/track/habaytak-dj-gregory-africanism-remix?action=share&from=embed) [Embed this tracksmallmediumlarge](https://acidarab.bandcamp.com/track/habaytak-dj-gregory-africanism-remix?action=embed) I discovered this track a few years ago during a Nicole Moudaber set at Club Space in Miami and, as of late, it has been a centerpiece in my sets. Although the Africanism project, a collaboration between 4 mega-successful white European DJs dating back to 2001, may be suspect from an appropriation standpoint, it has produced some pretty undeniably sick music. French legend DJ Gregory, my personal favorite from the collective, delivers an incredibly infections and accessible Arabic-language club anthem with this Acid Arab remix.