The veteran DJ has long been an architect of New York’s Afrobeats scene. This summer, he’s raising the temperature with the sun-drenched vibes of ‘Abonteen,’ a track that showcases his mastery of the genre and hints at its possible future. With summer fast approaching, one track is racing to define it: the kinetic ‘Abonteen,’ a song that distills the very essence of Afrobeats and ventures into new territory. For culture loyalists, this comes as no surprise. DJ Slim Jerry has been instrumental in the genre’s rise overseas. For over two decades, the man of the hour–born Jerry Adu–has carried the sound of Accra into the heart of the Bronx, becoming the borough’s most celebrated Ghanaian DJ. Now, with ‘Abonteen,’ he’s channeling that legacy into a bold anthem that captures the thrill of being outside.
But don’t take our word for it. Slim Jerry’s portfolio speaks volumes about his influence. The Bronx native has shared stages with some of Ghana’s most celebrated acts: Grammy-nominated Stonebwoy, the “Dancehall King” Shatta Wale, Hip-Hop/Hiplife duo R2Bees, Prince Bright of BukBak, Tinny, and Obrafour, alongside DJ Tunez (Wizkid’s official DJ) and Kizz Daniel. Each collaboration highlights a simple truth: DJ Slim Jerry commands respect among his peers as a cultural bridge linking Afrobeats’ epicenters to New York’s music scene.
So where does ‘Abonteen’ fit in? Well, it’s more a statement than a nod to his legacy. The track arrives at a time when the global appetite for Afrobeats is at its peak. Named after the Akan word for “outside,” it captures the irresistible pull of the streets, encapsulating the same energy that fuels Detty December. Beneath the song’s infectious rhythms, however, lies Slim Jerry’s next frontier: Afro House. The DJ is experimenting with ways to blur the line between West Africa’s nightlife scene and the Bronx’s musical heritage, crafting a sonic landscape that mirrors Afrobeats’ evolution beyond borders.
What’s next is anyone’s guess, but ‘Abonteen’ offers a glimpse of that future. No wonder Slim Jerry calls his latest a “love letter to every soul who lives for the moment.” With its sun-drenched melodies and instant quotables, he couldn’t be more right. The song sparks movement, the kind that can turn any open-air venue into a bustling dancefloor. It’s clear ‘Abonteen’ was destined to own the season, and the maestro reminds us why: “‘Abonteen’ is for anyone who knows what it feels like when the warmth hits and it’s time to step outside for a ride,” he says. “That fizzy energy is bottled up in this song.”
As Afrobeats continues to fill arenas from Madison Square Garden to the O2, Slim Jerry isn’t just riding the wave or resting on his laurels; instead, he’s steering the conversation with ‘Abonteen.’ So, wherever you are–New York and its many boroughs, London, Lagos, or Accra–whenever ‘Abonteen’ hits, you already know what time it is: it’s time to head outside.
