Emmanuel Eze-Ogwa, known professionally as Don Gz, is an emerging Afrobeat artist originally from Nigeria now based in Wales. His musical journey is shaped by culture, community, and a desire to connect people through sound. Influenced by gospel music and African legends like Brenda Fassie, Don Gz began writing songs early with his brother and cousin, performing in an a cappella group before developing his own style through rap and live performances at Hope High British School in Nigeria.
Before moving to the UK, he spent time in Lagos engaging with the creative scene, collaborating with fashion brand Jiggy Religion and other Nigerian entertainment and fashion figures. These experiences exposed him to the evolving relationship between African music, youth culture, identity, and fashion. He later relocated to Wales to study Psychology at Bangor University, where his artistic journey continued to flourish.
Building Afrobeat Awareness in North Wales
While living in Bangor, Don Gz noticed that Afrobeat music had limited visibility in parts of North Wales. Introducing the sound into new spaces was challenging, but through persistence, community engagement, house parties, student events, cultural gatherings, and collaborations with African student communities, he gradually built greater awareness and appreciation for Afrobeat in the region.
Consistent performances and cultural engagement helped Don Gz gain recognition within multicultural and student communities across Bangor and North Wales, bringing African music and energy into spaces where the genre previously had limited exposure.
Milestones and Recognition
As his profile grew, Don Gz expanded beyond local performances to larger UK music platforms. A defining moment came when he performed alongside internationally recognised Nigerian artist Seyi Shay at the "Afro Rave Bangor" event, marking a major milestone and reinforcing his credibility in the Afrobeat scene. In 2024, he performed as a supporting artist for BNXN in Birmingham, demonstrating his increasing presence at major UK Afrobeat events. He also performed at Afroplug Festival Cardiff 2025 at Vale Arena alongside DJames and is scheduled to return for Afroplug 2026 with MS-DSF.
His impact has been recognised through nominations linked to the MOBO Awards in Wales, known as the Black Welsh Music Awards, where he received nominations for Best New Artist and Best Afrobeat Act. Additionally, he received a Significant Contributor award from Black History Wales for his involvement in diversity and multicultural community initiatives. His work has also been acknowledged by Afro Caribbean Society organisations across UK universities.
Don Gz on His Mission
Speaking about his journey, Don Gz explains: "Music has always been a way for me to connect people and communities. Some of the happiest moments I’ve experienced are through music — seeing different people come together with joy, energy, and freedom. I believe real music is spiritual, it lasts, it speaks to people, and it can play a huge role in healing the world."
Today, Don Gz continues to use Afrobeat as a cultural bridge, introducing African sounds and experiences to wider audiences across Wales and the UK. From local stages in Bangor to larger platforms across the country, his journey reflects artistic ambition and the growing influence of Afrobeat within new cultural spaces.
