Sound & Style reflects a global shift in how music and fashion move together, shaping identity, influence, and cultural expression across cities and scenes. From London to Africa to Atlanta and beyond, DJs are at the center of that exchange, translating sound into style and presence in real time. As Sound & Style continues, we take a closer look at the DJs defining how music and style intersect across scenes and cities.
As we continue the series, today we spotlight OBE 380, an international hybrid DJ, producer, and guitarist redefining what a live DJ set can look and sound like. Rooted in a foundation of live musicianship, OBE 380 blends Afro House, 3Step, Amapiano, and EDM into high-energy performances that seamlessly combine decks, live guitar, and looping. What began as a way to showcase his own music has evolved into a signature performance style that has taken him to stages across Europe and beyond, including Afro Nation, City Splash, and Ibiza. Guided by his philosophy to “create from the soul,” OBE 380 continues to push the boundaries of live electronic music, ensuring every audience can truly “feel the temperature” with every performance.:
A: When people experience you DJing, what do you think they learn about you before you ever speak?
O: “I think what they are experiencing and learning from my set is that is my vibe and music is all about motion and feeling. It’s emotional, groovy, energetic and constantly moving never static.”
A: How do you think sound and style work together in shaping your presence?
O: “My sound and style work together because both are expressions of my personality. What I play and how I present myself come from the same place, so they naturally connect and reinforce each other.”
A: What separates a technically good DJ from someone people remember?
O: “The difference Is the ability to take the crowd on a journey. Technical skill is important, but you don’t need to be extremely technical to deliver a great set. What really matters is how you introduce your music taste to people moving across genres, building emotion and guiding the crowd through your mixes."
A: Is there a moment in your career when your image and your sound finally aligned?
O: “Yes, definitely, when I played at Faemeli, Dankiesound and Afronation at Drumsheds. Those moments really allowed me to express my sound at its best."
A: What’s a common expectation placed on DJs that you personally push back against?
O: “The criticism around using the sync button. I don’t use it myself, but that doesn’t mean someone who does is less of a DJ. Knowing or not knowing how to use sync doesn’t automatically make your set flawless. Our job is to educate, share music, and make people feel something. The crowd doesn’t care how technical you are they care about how you made them feel. That said, I still believe it’s important to learn how to DJ without the sync button”
A: Right now, what feels most important for people to understand about your work?
O: “Its most important for them to understand how I feel through my sound, I want them to understand what type of character I am, but mostly I want everyone to understand why music is a feeling”
Explore the full Sound & Style feature in Issue 008, now available in print and digital, and spend time with the DJs shaping culture across sound and style. Follow and support OBE 380 as he continues to build her presence, and tap into the Spotify soundtrack to experience the artists and sounds moving through each DJ’s world.
