Aug 17

Aug 17 Africa Fashion Week London Presents: DJ Master-class & Candid Conversation With Cuppy

This article was drafted by Norman Busigu. Thanks to Africa Fashion Week London for inviting me as Official Press for this event.

Some say that an unspoken truth about fashion is that it operates best when two co-existing elements synchronise: a stellar visual style/aesthetic, placed against the backdrop of the stunning soundtrack. Wholly cognisant of this combination, the Africa Fashion Week London (AFWL) team last night found a fascinating way to fuse the two, and brought this ideal to life… Indeed, in the lead up to the 16th edition of AFWL’s core runway showcasing (throughout 22-23 August 2026), the team seized the opportunity to converge fashion, music and culture together by hosting an exciting and exclusive DJ Master-class with Cuppy, Daphfinee, Sald3e and Perez the Bully. Held in an intimate setting within The Exchange, attendees were provided with the chance to get up close and personal with the DJ’s - not only to learn the craft, but also about the characters behind the decks. The star-studded affair was proudly supported by BPM Music Collective, Dodo and Partners. A notable guest of honour was HRM Queen Ronke Ademiluyi-Ogunwusi - the founder of AFWL.

Pictured: HRM Queen Ronke Ademiluyi-Ogunwusi - the founder of AFWL and Cuppy

My personal highlight of the event, were the words of wisdom imparted by Cuppy: she provided refreshingly honest reflections on her colourful career and the state of the industry, whilst offering nuggets of advice to those on their creative journey. Below is a summary of the key points that she underscored with urgency that I believe everyone can gleam something from:

Ensure you have/are very mindful of the 4 P’s: Passion, Preparation, Positioning and Purpose.
Identify things you are passionate about which are bigger than yourself; find ways to create longevity in the work you do.
Leave a good impression wherever you go; never underestimate the power of referrals as a means of sourcing work.
For DJ’s specifically, spend time/immerse yourself in the Ibiza landscape/market

In response to my question on whether music (i.e Afrobeats) can serve as a vehicle that positively bridges the diaspora with those on the continent, Cuppy then (in general terms) said the following about the power of the Diaspora: “The diaspora are our strongest force; diaspora know what’s going on, on the ground - and social media has allowed that… Diaspora are very important! I don’t even want to say there’s a disconnect; we are very connected! Shout out to the diaspora!”