‘Melakusi (DJ Edit)’: Queen Halima’s Afro-Electronic Fusion Signals Club-Ready Sophistication

By Emmanuel Daraloye

Born in Enugu State, Victoria Ogechukwu Egbogu, professionally known as Queen Halima, brings an innate creative sensibility to her work. Her dual role as vocalist and beatmaker is reflected in the cohesion of the record, where rhythm, melody, and structure are tightly integrated. Melakusi (DJ Edit) demonstrates an artist with a clear understanding of sound systems, DJ culture, and live performance contexts, positioning the track for use across clubs, festivals, and electronic-leaning Afro-fusion spaces.

The song dropped 15 Jan 2025 opens with emotionally charged chords layered over a steady four-on-the-floor kick pattern, immediately establishing its dance-floor intent. The track blends elements of Amapiano and Afrobeat while leaning heavily into house music, resulting in a sound that feels both rooted and globally attuned.

The production unfolds with a recurring vocal chant that appears at measured intervals, functioning as a rhythmic anchor rather than a conventional hook. This chant-driven approach creates a hypnotic effect, sustaining momentum while allowing the instrumental arrangement to breathe. Energetic synth lines inject lift and urgency into the record, pushing it firmly into club-ready territory without sacrificing musicality.

Co-Production

Melakusi (DJ Edit) was co-produced by Temple T, his involvement strengthens the record’s house-driven architecture and club-focused arrangement. He is known for his mastery of the programming of log drums. His contribution is evident in the precision of the groove, the disciplined interaction between kick and bass, and the seamless layering of Amapiano log drums with Afrobeat percussion and electronic textures. Temple T’s approach emphasises structure and momentum, ensuring the track translates effectively across DJ sets, live performance environments, and electronic music platforms, reinforcing its international dance-floor appeal.

Mixing

The mixing on Melakusi (DJ Edit) is handled by Sandra Amartey, whose technical execution brings clarity, balance, and polish to the record. Her mix allows the vocals to sit cleanly within the instrumental without overpowering the rhythm section, while maintaining clear separation between low-end elements and melodic layers. The synths remain vibrant and dynamic, and the overall stereo image is well-defined, ensuring consistent performance across club sound systems, radio playback, and digital streaming platforms. The mixing reflects a professional standard aligned with international release expectations.

Rather than relying heavily on lyrical narrative, Queen Halima prioritises rhythm, texture, and repetition—an approach that aligns her with a new generation of African artists shaping globally exportable electronic and dance-influenced music. The DJ edit format extends the record’s functional value, making it adaptable for extended sets and performance environments, and increasing its relevance within international club circuits.

Verdict

Melakusi (DJ Edit) is a confident and well-executed release that highlights Queen Halima’s growing artistic range and technical awareness. While the song favours groove over storytelling, its strength lies in its clarity of purpose, energetic execution, and cross-genre appeal. The record positions Queen Halima as an emerging contributor to the evolving Afro-electronic soundscape, with clear potential for international reach.

Rating Scale

0–1.9: Poor
2.0–3.9: Below Standard
4.0–5.9: Fair
6.0–7.9: Strong
8.0–10: Outstanding

Rating Breakdown

Production & Sound Design: 1.6 / 2
Creativity & Genre Fusion: 1.5 / 2
Energy & Dance-floor Appeal: 1.4 / 2
Execution & Arrangement: 1.3 / 2

Total: 5.8 / 8

Overall Rating: 7.3 / 10 — Strong