The sound of Sekai: ACT’s DJ of the Year on music, community and what’s next
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For Disc Jockey and Master of Architecture student Sekai Mututu, music has always been a thread running through her life.
From her parents introducing her to a diverse range of music as a child, to dancing on stage and taking people on a journey through movement, it’s always been there.
So, being named the 2025 ACT DJ of the Year at the MusicACT Music Awards (MAMAs) isn’t something she takes lightly.
Born in Canberra and heavily influenced by her Zimbabwean heritage, Sekai – better known as DJ Seki – first stepped into the ACT’s electronic scene in 2022.
Since then, her club run has taken listeners through Deep Amapiano, Gqom, Afro House, Kwaito, UKG and more at some of the city’s best venues. But her love of music goes back much further – to age 10, when watching a friend DJ a family gathering first lit the spark.
“If I was to describe my style, I would simply say it’s open selection. I gravitate to a lot of South African Music – Amapiano, South African House, Kwaito, Gqom and Afro House – and growing up I was exposed to a lot of Kwaito classics. I also find myself gravitating to UK Garage, Garage House, Jungle, Dub, and Drum N Bass,” she explains.
“Before DJing I was always told that I have a great selection of music…Now I get the chance to share my childhood tracks with people who love music as much as myself and take people on a journey through sound.”
Describing the experience of her first show as “unreal”, Sekai says that her journey of DJing as a young woman in Canberra has been “beautiful”.
But it’s been a journey, nonetheless.
Recovering from an Achilles injury she sustained through dance, that very first show showed her that she could still move people – this time through music, instead of movement.
“The first show was one to remember and so special to me because I was getting onto a stage I hadn’t yet performed on…Little did I know I was truly ready for this new chapter,” she explains.
“Being one of the few young Black/African women DJing in Canberra, I have come to observe that at times there has been a practice of tokenism toward us. With time, conversation and action I truly believe Canberra will see change.”
Currently playing with weaving and exploring classic Deep House tracks that bring what she calls “true groove” to the dance floor, Sekai is also studying her Master of Architecture full-time. And while the balance between the two comes and goes, she wouldn’t have it any other way.
“The late Virgil Abloh is a big inspiration in a lot that I do; he advocated for working on many projects simultaneously to reach one’s potential, and so I look at DJing and study as two projects added to my creative project list,” she says.
“I truly believe that everything I learn, experience, consume, and encounter in life can be used in future endeavours and projects. Architecture and DJing truly fall hand in hand, especially through the art of curating space for people, which has influenced my gigs and design projects.”
It’s obvious that Sekai is driven by a deep love of sound, storytelling, and community.
Planning on doing even more to bring people together in Canberra’s creative scene, she says that a common misconception many people have about being a DJ is “not everyone can do it.”
Her answer?
“You can! If you want to, please stay tuned and look out for when the next round of DJ Workshops will be run by @genie_beanie_in_the_washing_m.”
But none of it, she’s quick to say, would have been possible without community.
“I can’t thank Sideway, Sol Sonik, Locked In, Kinah Studios and Turning Tables enough for the warm community and incredible exposure to music that they brought to me and many others,” she says.
“It was a great honour to be named the ACT DJ of 2025. It was a true heartfelt feeling – not only for me but for us all.”
“Support goes a long way and with it we have the Canberra creative scene.”
Follow @mututum to see what Sekai is working on next.
Images supplied.
