For more than a decade, DJ Snake has occupied a rare position in modern music. The French producer, born William Sami, emerged from Paris’ underground electronic scene before becoming one of the defining architects of global popular music. Along the way, he helped reshape the sonic language of contemporary dance, hip-hop and pop through era-defining records such as “Turn Down For What,” “Lean On,” “Let Me Love You,” “Middle” and “Taki Taki.”
Yet despite accumulating more than 50 million monthly Spotify listeners, billions of streams and sold-out stadiums across the world, DJ Snake remains driven by the same thing that first pulled him toward music: curiosity.
That mindset fuels Nomad, his latest album and one of the most expansive projects of his career. Featuring collaborators ranging from Travis Scott and Future to Stray Kids, J Balvin, Peso Pluma, Damian Marley and Amadou & Mariam, the project reflects an artist who has built his career by moving freely between genres, cultures and continents.
For Snake, the album’s title is more than a creative concept. “Being a nomad is about staying open,” he says. “It’s about never feeling comfortable enough to stop exploring.” That philosophy has become a defining thread throughout his career, allowing him to move seamlessly between musical worlds while maintaining a distinct artistic identity.
The same spirit was on display earlier this year when Snake returned to South Africa for Ultra South Africa 2026. One of the standout moments of his Johannesburg set came when he surprised fans by bringing Zimbabwean-born artist Bantu onstage to perform their collaboration, “Company.”
The appearance reinforced Snake’s longstanding connection to African audiences and arrived at a time when African music continues to play an increasingly influential role in shaping global culture.
“What excites me is that the world is finally paying attention to something that has always existed,” Snake tells Billboard Africa of the continent’s growing global impact. “What we’re seeing now isn’t a trend, it’s recognition.”
Beyond the music itself, Snake remains committed to building creative communities through Pardon My French, the collective and event platform he co-founded a decade ago. What began as a movement among friends in Paris has since grown into a global brand spanning festivals, club culture and artist development.
The platform reflects another core belief that has guided his journey. “Community always comes first,” he says. “I also want to give up-and-coming artists a platform to express themselves.”
As he continues touring across continents and exploring new sounds, Snake’s focus remains firmly on evolution rather than repetition – a philosophy that sits at the heart of both Nomad and his wider career.
Below, DJ Snake delves deeper into the inspirations behind Nomad, his connection to South Africa, the rise of African music on the global stage, and why curiosity continues to drive every chapter of his career.
Billboard Africa: Behind the Music, who is DJ Snake?
DJ Snake: I’m a curious person. I’ve always been interested in discovering new cultures, new sounds and new perspectives. Music became my way of connecting all those influences together. Everything I do comes from that curiosity and from a desire to keep learning, evolving and pushing myself creatively.
You’ve performed on some of the biggest stages in the world, from Stade de France to Coachella. What stood out to you about the energy at Ultra South Africa this year?
The passion. Every crowd is different, but in South Africa there is a special energy. People are fully present in the moment. They know the music, they know the records, but they also bring their own personality and culture into the experience. You feel that connection immediately. It was one of those shows where the crowd gives you as much energy as you give them.
During your Johannesburg set, you surprised fans by bringing out Zimbabwean-born artist Bantu to perform your new collaboration, “Company.” What drew you to that record, and how important is it for you to collaborate with artists from different parts of the world?
What attracted me was Bantu. I love his energy, I love his voice, and I think he’s incredibly talented. There was a real connection from the start, and that’s what matters most to me. I don’t look at where someone is from or how big they are.I look for authenticity and something unique that we can create together.
Africa has become an increasingly important force in global music conversations. From your perspective, what excites you most about the continent’s current influence on music and culture?
What excites me is that the world is finally paying attention to something that has always existed. There is so much creativity, innovation and musical history across Africa. What we’re seeing now isn’t a trend, it’s recognition. The new generation of African artists is bringing local culture to a global audience without compromising who they are, and that’s incredibly powerful.
Your album Nomad feels like a reflection of the way you’ve built your career — moving between genres, cities and cultures without boundaries. At this stage of your journey, what does being a “nomad” mean to you creatively?
For me, being a nomad is about staying open. It’s about never feeling comfortable enough to stop exploring. I don’t want to repeat myself. I want to keep discovering new sounds, new ideas and new ways of creating. The moment you think you’ve figured everything out is usually the moment you stop growing.
The guest list on Nomad spans multiple continents and sounds, from Travis Scott and Future to Stray Kids, J Balvin, Damian Marley and Amadou & Mariam. How do you approach collaboration while still maintaining a clear “DJ Snake” identity?
The key is staying honest to yourself. Like I said, every collaborator brings their own universe, but I never approach a song trying to become someone else. My role is to build a bridge between different worlds. Even when the genres change, there’s still a common thread in the energy, the emotion and the way I approach production. That’s what keeps the identity consistent.
You’ve often been ahead of the curve when it comes to blending electronic music with hip-hop, trap and global sounds. What are some of the musical movements or regions currently inspiring you the most?
Right now I’m spending a lot of time listening to music coming from Africa, the Middle East and parts of Latin America. There are incredible artists creating new sounds that don’t fit neatly into one category. That’s usually where the most interesting ideas come from.
This year marks the 10th anniversary of Pardon My French. Looking back, what began as an underground Paris movement has evolved into a global platform. What has been the biggest lesson from building that community over the past decade?
The biggest lesson is that community always comes first. Pardon My French started with friends sharing music because we genuinely loved it. There was no strategy. There was no business plan. As it grew, I realised that people connect to authenticity. If you stay true to the original spirit and continue supporting people around you, the community grows naturally. Also I want to give up and coming artists a platform to express themselves.
You’ve spoken about wanting live experiences to feel more immersive and less predictable. Whether it’s Pardon My French or your upcoming Ushuaïa Ibiza concept with J Balvin, how do you see the future of live music evolving?
Technology will continue to evolve and create incredible experiences, but I think audiences are also craving something more human. The future isn’t just bigger screens and more production. It’s about creating moments that feel impossible to replicate. People want to feel part of something special, not just watch a performance.
Looking ahead, what can fans expect from you over the next chapter — whether that’s new music, visual projects, collaborations or entirely new creative ventures?
More risks. That’s the mindset I’m carrying into this next chapter. I want to continue exploring new sounds, working with unexpected collaborators and creating experiences that surprise people. I’m not interested in repeating what I’ve already done. I still feel like there are so many things I want to discover and build.
A New Stop on the Journey: “Cairo Express”
The latest chapter of Nomad arrived on 5 June with the release of the music video for “Cairo Express,” one of the album’s standout tracks.
Directed by rising MENA filmmaker CHNDY, the visual is set in the streets of Cairo and follows a playful storyline centred around a street talent search. Featuring local participants and drawing inspiration from Egypt’s vibrant creative scene, the video captures the energy and spontaneity that have become hallmarks of Snake’s global approach to music.
The release also shines a spotlight on Mahraganat, the influential Egyptian genre that has emerged as one of the region’s most exciting cultural movements.
“There’s so much happening in the MENA region right now,” Snake says. “Egypt, Iraq, Saudi Arabia – the rhythm, the flow, the energy, it’s all so rich.”
