From Cape Flats to Grammy week: Chelsea Sloan DJs at Tyla’s birthday party

From Cape Flats roots to a global spotlight

When South African DJ Chelsea Sloan stepped behind the decks at Tyla’s “After Dark” birthday party during Grammy week in Los Angeles, it marked a major international moment in her career. A creative from Hanover Park on the Cape Flats, she found herself performing in one of the world’s biggest entertainment hubs.

Sloan, born Chelsea Sloan Samuels, shared the moment on Instagram, celebrating the link-up with Tyla and congratulating the singer on her second Grammy.

A long journey that started with dance

Before the DJ decks and international events, Sloan’s story began with movement. She started dancing as a toddler, performing for her local community from the age of three. That early passion grew into something more serious when she joined Basic Black, a dance team that went on to win the World Championship twice in a row.

Her connection with Tyla also goes back years. Sloan appeared as a dancer in the singer’s very first music video, a detail that adds another layer to their recent reunion in Los Angeles.

That background in performance still shapes her sets today. Her style leans heavily into Amapiano but comfortably blends Afrobeat, hip hop, R&B, and dancehall. The result is a sound rooted in rhythm and movement, influenced by her years in dance.

 

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A post shared by Chelsea-Sloan Samuels (@chels_sloan)

A path that almost led somewhere else

What makes Sloan’s journey stand out is how different her original career path looked. Before committing fully to music, she explored athletics and science. She competed as a track and field sprinter and later studied medicine on a bursary, eventually qualifying as a physiotherapist.

Her shift into DJing marked a personal turning point. She has spoken openly about how music became a form of healing after difficult life experiences, describing the craft as something that helped her process loss and rebuild emotionally.

@chelsea_sloanAfter trauma’s and losses of siblings , relationships, and mental health tanking. Dj’ing saved me and continues to do so. It’s so evident in this video ❤️♬ original sound – Chelsea – Sloan Samuels

Building credibility at home and abroad

Sloan’s international exposure has accelerated in 2026. Alongside her appearance at Tyla’s celebration, she attended exclusive Grammy week events as a global ambassador for Johnnie Walker, representing South African culture and sound to a wider audience.

Back home, her impact has not gone unnoticed. Local media and the Western Cape Government have recognised her work and the way her story connects with young people growing up in communities similar to Hanover Park.

In the studio and on stage, she has also collaborated with notable names. Her credits include “Smooth Criminal” with Costa Titch, “GOLIATH” with Umthakathi Kush, and “Disaster” featured on Piano Verse, Vol. 1 EP. She has also shared performance spaces with artists such as Uncle Waffles, further cementing her place within the broader Amapiano movement.

More than a single headline moment

While the Grammy week appearance stands out, Sloan’s career reflects years of work across dance, performance, and music. Her progression from community stages to international events highlights how South African artists continue to carry local sound into global spaces while staying connected to their roots.