- Chunda Munki returns to ULTRA South Africa after five years away from the festival stage, describing the comeback as meaningful.
- His weekend sets will showcase new material from his upcoming album release.
- ULTRA South Africa takes place this weekend, on Saturday 25 April at Expo Centre, Nasrec in Johannesburg, and on Sunday 26 April at The Ostrich in Cape Town.
After five years away from the ULTRA South Africa stage, electronic music powerhouse Chunda Munki is ready to remind fans why he remains one of the country’s most beloved DJs.
This weekend’s performances mark not just a triumphant return, but a crucial testing ground for his upcoming album.
“Playing on the ULTRA South Africa stage means the world to me,” he reveals. “It has been five years since I last played this festival, and it feels so good to be back, performing for the crowds that made me who I am today.”
What sets Chunda Munki apart isn’t just his infectious sound; it’s his philosophy of learning from his audience. “Over the years, I have always tried to introduce crowds to new sounds that I felt would push the scene forward, but the crowd, in turn, educates me,” he explains.
This symbiotic relationship between artist and audience has shaped his evolution. “I learn from them; I see what they respond to and what they don’t. I take those lessons back to the studio and find ways to incorporate what I’ve learned, returning to the stage with my own interpretation of the dance music scene.”
This year’s ULTRA performance carries extra weight. Chunda Munki plans to showcase material from his upcoming album. “I’m planning to showcase the music I’ve been working on throughout 2025 and early 2026. I have an album releasing soon, so this will be the ultimate test to see if these new tracks work on a major stage.”
For an artist who describes ULTRA as incomparable to any other stage, the pressure is real.
“ULTRA is always special because I get to showcase the best of what I have to offer. There is no room for complacency or laziness. You have to bring everything you’ve got!”
The legendary “CHUNDA F*CKIN MUNKI” chants from ULTRA crowds are something special, but the DJ has realistic expectations.
“ULTRA crowds have incredible energy regardless of who is on stage. Everyone is excited to be there, and all I hope to accomplish is a crowd that is engaged and open-minded. When the drop hits, I want to hear them go, ‘YOOOOHHHH!’ If they start the famous chant, that’s just a bonus.”
His preparation ritual reflects his perfectionist approach: “The most important thing is ensuring I’m locked in the studio in the weeks leading up to the festival, finishing projects, mixing, mastering, and perhaps creating some special edits of my well-known tracks.
After that, I just need to decide what I’m wearing. My cameras are charged and ready to capture the moments, but music prep comes first.”
While this weekend is about reconnecting with South African crowds, Chunda Munki’s vision extends globally. “I’m focusing on Europe this year as well, getting some new projects and shows off the ground.”
“I have a few collaborations in the works with some good friends.”
His creative inspiration remains rooted in live experiences: “My biggest inspirations come from watching other artists play in a club on a night when I’m not performing. Hearing tracks I’ve never heard before and watching how the crowd reacts from an outside perspective has a massive influence on what I decide to produce.”
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