DJ AXE CLLUSIVE WINS MXD DJ SEARCH AFTER NATIONWIDE HUNT FOR SOUTH AFRICA’S NEXT BIG TALENT
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- April 17, 2026
From underground decks to one of the world’s biggest stages, the MXD DJ Search on the Road To Ultra spotlights a new generation shaping South Africa’s electronic music scene.
Johannesburg, April 17, 2026: After an electrifying nationwide search that attracted hundreds of entries from across South Africa, the MXD DJ Search culminated in Johannesburg last night, with Cape Town DJ Axe Cllusive announced as the competition’s inaugural champion.
Standing out among a fiercely competitive group of finalists, DJ Axe Cllusive (real name Xolisa Willie) delivered a set that blended Afro House and Amapiano with confidence and originality, earning top honours from a heavyweight judging panel that included 5fm’s Kyle Cassim, YFM’s Hype and DJs MORDA and DWSON.
The win secures DJ Axe Cllusive a career-defining opportunity: a live performance slot at the country’s biggest dance event, Ultra South Africa 2026, on April 26, as well as a mentorship with Bridges For Music academy and a year-long ambassadorship for MXD.
“I’m honestly still processing it,” says Axe Cllusive. “This platform has given me an opportunity I’ve dreamed of for years. To go from playing local sets to performing at Ultra is something I’ll never take for granted.”
@theyanosplug Plugstars Unplugged 🎙️🇿🇦: We caught up with Ultra South Africa DJ Competition winner @axecllusive 🔥 From the journey to the win, to what’s next… this is only the beginning. Brought to you by MXD. @Ultra South Africa #TheYanosPlug #PlugstarsUnplugged #UltraSA ♬ original sound – The Yanos Plug 🔌 🌎
With five years of experience, known for energetic sets and a strong connection with the crowd, Axe Cllusive’s sound blends Afro House and Amapiano, driven by groove and sharp crowd reading. He is also the creator of the Party With The Groovist live mix series.
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A Finale Charged with Energy
The high-energy finale, held at The Naked Woolf in Johannesburg, marked the culmination of a multi-city journey in which aspiring DJs from across the country stepped up to showcase their sound. From Pretoria to Cape Town, Durban to Johannesburg, the competition tapped into a new wave of talent, each bringing their own identity, influence and interpretation of South Africa’s evolving electronic music scene.
The finale event brought the nationwide search to a powerful close, with standout performances from MORDA, DWSON and Champuru Makhenzo, alongside the finalists themselves, including Axe Cllusive and runners-up, Afro House/Tech DJ Mad Braul from Johannesburg and Gqom duo Mad Buddies from Durban.
“Platforms like this are important because they create real opportunities,” said DWSON. “There’s new talent coming through with a clear sense of identity and a deep understanding of how to connect with audiences. That’s what stood out throughout this search.”
Beyond the result, the MXD DJ Search on the Road To Ultra has positioned itself as a credible pipeline for emerging music talent, reinforcing South Africa’s role as a global force within the electronic dance music genre.
“The level of talent we’ve seen across the country has been incredible,” says Candice van den Bosch, SAB Beyond Beer Brand Director. “MXD exists to celebrate individuality and self-expression, and this platform has brought that to life in a way that feels truly authentic to South Africa’s music culture.”
