The global dance scene is getting to know a new name, and he’s not just relying on pedigree to open doors. SONA, the son of internationally celebrated producer and DJ Black Coffee, is steadily earning his own reputation in the world of electronic music. And this December, fans in the region will get the opportunity to see him live when he performs at Soundstorm 2025 in Riyadh.
For audiences in the UAE and across the Middle East, this appearance is more than just another festival slot. It reflects how the region continues to cement itself as a serious destination for major music events. With crowds in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Riyadh growing more tuned into global acts every year, SONA’s presence at Soundstorm sits neatly within that shift. The festival, known for being one of the loudest and most ambitious on the calendar, is giving a stage to one of the most promising new names in the business.
Carving a musical identity beyond legacy
SONA, born Esona Maphumulo, has grown up in the orbit of one of the world’s most influential electronic artists. Black Coffee’s imprint on global Afro-house is undeniable, and the surname carries its own weight. But SONA’s journey hasn’t been one of shortcuts. He has built his sound gradually, away from early media attention, taking the time to experiment and find his lane.
While there are shades of the Afro-electronic DNA in his music, SONA brings his own interpretation—clean, layered, and production-driven, with an ear tuned to modern audiences. It’s not a carbon copy of what the world already knows. Instead, it feels like a continuation of a legacy through a new creative lens.
That focus on authenticity has allowed him to enter the industry on his own terms. And for audiences in the Middle East, where nightlife and electronic music appreciation have evolved rapidly over the last decade, SONA brings something fresh yet familiar.
The moment the world took notice
Every artist has a milestone that signals a turning point. For SONA, it was his contribution to Drake’s seventh studio album, “Honestly, Nevermind.” Producing “Texts Go Green,” track number three on the record, gave him more than a credit—it introduced him to listeners who may not have discovered him otherwise.
Having Drake perform over one of his beats wasn’t just a high-profile career moment. It showed that his production carried enough strength and vision to stand on its own, without introduction or explanation. For a young producer early in his career, that’s a rare achievement.
It also positioned him as a crucial part of Afro-house’s next chapter. The genre has traveled far beyond South African clubs and festivals, and artists like SONA are helping carry it into new spaces—including the Middle East, where audiences have shown strong appreciation for rhythmic, global house sounds.
Taking big festival stages, one milestone at a time
Although he only formally entered the industry in 2021, SONA has already performed on some of the world’s most respected stages. Tomorrowland in Belgium is one of them. Ibiza, where electronic fans—including many from Dubai—flock every summer, is another. He has shared sets alongside his father, but he has also taken the lead on his own bookings.
With every performance, he has shown that longevity in dance music comes from craft and discipline, not just big-name co-signs. And it’s that same commitment he will be bringing to Soundstorm this year.
Soundstorm 2025 arrives with its biggest edition yet
Soundstorm has become a fixture in the global festival scene and a major marker in Saudi Arabia’s entertainment calendar. Running from Thursday, December 11 to Saturday, December 13, the event will once again transform Banban in Riyadh into a full-scale music city. This year’s edition is expected to be the largest so far, with:
- More than 200 artists
- 14 redesigned stages
- A newly conceptualised Downtown is divided into four districts
For festival-goers travelling from the UAE, which has become a significant market for Soundstorm tourism, the lineup continues to offer huge international draw. Among the confirmed headliners:
- DJ Snake with Metro Boomin
- Halsey
- Post Malone
- Pitbull
- Cardi B
- Benson Boone
- Sebastian Ingrosso
- Don Toliver
- Salvatore Ganacci
With names like these, Soundstorm has established itself as not just a regional highlight but a global stage for dance, pop, hip-hop, and crossover sounds. Against this massive backdrop, SONA’s slot stands out as one of the performances to watch—especially for fans who enjoy discovering global acts before they explode further into the mainstream.
Fans’ expectations from SONA’s set?
SONA’s sets tend to be immersive rather than predictable. Listeners can expect Afro-house foundations with modern electronic arrangement—music that builds patiently and rewards attentive crowds. He aims for atmosphere over flash, focusing on rhythm and storytelling through sound.
Festival-goers who have attended major shows in Dubai will recognise that this style fits perfectly with the region’s current music taste. As events here mature, audiences have become more open to variety rather than only commercial dance numbers. SONA’s music bridges that gap—you can feel the groove immediately, but it also carries structure, detail, and depth.
A reflection of changing music culture in the region
Five years ago, the festival landscape in the Middle East looked very different. Today, there are live shows almost every week in Dubai alone, alongside packed concert seasons in Saudi Arabia’s major cities. International touring calendars now treat the region as a regular stop rather than a rare booking.
That shift has opened platforms not just for global megastars, but also for rising talent like SONA. Events such as Soundstorm have become spaces where new voices can earn regional followings while shaping the soundtracks of a younger, more internationally connected audience.
SONA’s journey is still in its early chapters, but it’s unfolding with direction and purpose. His upcoming performance at Soundstorm 2025 isn’t just another gig; it’s a marker of how fast his trajectory is climbing and how the region is becoming part of his story. With talent, vision, and a growing body of work that speaks for itself, he arrives in Riyadh ready to show who he is beyond a headline surname.
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