Lineup 2018
Dre Ngozi
Toronto, Ontario
A nomad spirit, with roots scattered wide like sound waves, Dre Ngozi has always been moved by the music of this world. From her travels across Africa, Asia, the Caribbean, and Europe, she brings the energy of all her journeys into her work. With multiple influences including hip-hop, soca, R&B, pop, and country (yes, country!), her work is fueled by a mash-up of sounds. An eclectic mix of artists like the Pointer Sisters, Soul II Soul, Michael Jackson, Biggie, Salt n’ Peppa, and Rick James, have all left their mark on Dre’s style.
With a background in dance and classical piano, Dre found herself eventually studying sound design in her final year of university. Since then, she’s been cultivating her craft as a versatile artist in every way possible, from performance in theatre, to visual art, to DJ’ing.
Today, inspired by artists like A Tribe Called Red, James Blake, and Kaytranada, she can be heard (and seen!) playing the sweetest sets at all the feel-good parties. Dre is the Resident DJ for Manifesto Festival’s monthly High Power party, where she spins everything from classic hip-hop and R&B, to island riddims and afrobeat, to electro and house, and anything in-between – a true reflection of the many sides of herself.
Through fresh mixes, Dre takes the crowd on an unexpected journey, gliding through different sounds seamlessly. Diving deeper into music, she is now producing her own tracks and exploring the world of film scoring. Dre hopes that her passion for music continues to make waves that take her around the world. She knows music is her therapy and has the power to be this for every crowd she rocks with. One day soon, she also hopes to host her own radio show.
Find Dre Ngozi online: