Zimbabwean DJ, producer and radio personality Ryan Synth, real name Ryan Mothuse Balule, joins fellow Zimbabwean producer Dr Feel on “Lele,” a collaborative Afro House track featured on Inner Visions, a forthcoming 16-artist compilation bringing together artists from Zimbabwe’s electronic music scene.
Scheduled for release in November 2026 through South African house label Mansa Musa Records, Inner Visions brings established and emerging Zimbabwean electronic artists together on one project, with Ryan Synth appearing alongside a selection of recognised names from the country’s contemporary dance music movement.
For Ryan, “Lele” arrives after more than a decade spent building a career across DJing, production, radio, music programming, club residencies, festivals and international performances.
Ryan Synth began producing music around 2009–2010, after his cousin introduced him to FL Studio.Those early experiments in Bulawayo developed into a career spanning DJ performance, production and radio, with Ryan becoming a familiar name within Zimbabwe’s electronic music community.
His performance work has since taken him beyond Zimbabwe, with appearances in South Africa, Botswana, Australia and Kenya.His international touring history includes Botswana and South Africa in 2022, Australia in 2024 and Kenya in 2025.
In Australia, his appearances have included Jozi Day Vibes in Perth, Munch & Sip in Adelaide and Belair New Year’s Day in Melbourne, among other events.
The international bookings have added to a career built largely through the club and festival circuit in Zimbabwe and Southern Africa.
He has appeared on line-ups alongside artists including Sun-El Musician, Young Stunna, Musa Keys, Bongo Maffin, Oscar Mbo, Morda Bongz, DJ Kent, Funkinmatt, Da Capo, DJ Maphorisa and Major League DJz.
His sets and productions move across House, Afro House, Afro-Tech, Amapiano and Afro-Fusion, allowing him to work across different parts of the African dance music landscape.
Ryan has also held resident positions at venues including Boundary, The Smokehouse, Maestro Restaurant Lounge & Bar, News Café Borrowdale, Cloud Nine, Horizon Night Club, Kudu Bar and Mojo Bar.Those residencies gave him the opportunity to develop his craft in front of regular audiences and across different club environments.
Ryan’s recorded work dates back to the early 2010s. His catalogue includes “Spirit Dance” (2010), “That Girl” (2012), “Your Love (Ryan Synth Ritual Mix)” (2013), “Bakumelele” (2010s), Less Is More EP (2020), “Uncertainty” (2021), “Going Higher” (2022), “It Will End in Lobola” (2022), EL JEFE EP (2024) and “Summer Nights” (2024), alongside remixes and collaborative productions.
His production work has moved between House, Afro House, Afro-Tech, Amapiano and Afro-Fusion, while his “El Jefe” identity has become an established part of his artistic profile.
His wider catalogue includes collaborations involving artists such as Nitefreak, DJ Stavo, Murphy Cubic, CAL VIN, Freeman, Alick Macheso, Kinah The Music and Prince Joel.
A significant milestone in Ryan’s production career came with “Bakumelele,” his collaboration with Paula Palomo.
The track won Best House/Gqom! Song at the inaugural Skyz Metro FM Music Awards in 2017, recognising the production among the award programme’s house and Gqom entries.
The award followed Ryan’s growing involvement in Bulawayo’s electronic and dance music scene and remains one of the notable achievements in his production career.
Ryan’s work has also extended into radio, where his involvement has included music programming and mix sessions.
His background in technology runs parallel to his music career. His own entry into production began with computer-based music creation before developing into professional work as a DJ and producer.
Today, the two disciplines remain part of his professional life, although music continues to sit at the centre of his creative work.
On “Lele,” Ryan Synth joins Dr Feel for an Afro House collaboration produced for Inner Visions.The track brings together two Zimbabwean producers whose careers have developed within the country’s evolving electronic music scene.
Rather than appearing as an isolated release, “Lele” forms part of a larger compilation built around 16 Zimbabwean artists and their different approaches to electronic and Afro House music.
Ryan’s contribution adds an artist with more than a decade of production, radio and performance experience to a project designed to place Zimbabwean electronic music in front of a wider audience.
“Inner Visions is a beautiful reflection of the creativity, diversity and evolution of Zimbabwe’s Afro House sound. I’m excited to contribute to a project that brings different artists and sounds together while showcasing the depth of our local music scene to a wider audience.”
Curated by Dr Feel, Inner Visions brings together 16 Zimbabwean artists working across electronic music and Afro House. The compilation features:DJ Stavo, Nitefreak, Dr Chaii, Ryan Synth, MIčI, Reverb, TAPIWA, Simbai, Tashinga, Shona (SA), PA NGU, Afro Wav, Takue SBT, Josh Major, Daphfinee and Taarof Adder.
The project is scheduled for release in November 2026 through Mansa Musa Records. For Ryan Synth, the compilation provides another recorded collaboration while placing his work alongside a broad cross-section of Zimbabwean electronic artists.
More than a decade after beginning to experiment with FL Studio in Bulawayo, Ryan Synth has built a career spanning production, DJing, radio, club residencies, festivals and international performances.
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