Choolwe Siamubotu, professionally known as Dmstry — often stylized as “The Mystery” or “Da’ Mystery” — is a Zambian electronic dance music (EDM) producer, recording artist, songwriter, audio engineer, remixer, and self-described all-round creative dedicated to bringing excellence to African art. Born on March 17, 1996, in Zambia, Dmstry has carved out a distinctive niche in the African electronic scene by fusing pulsating EDM beats with local rhythms, hip-hop grit, and introspective storytelling.
With a career spanning from self-taught production to high-profile collaborations, he embodies the enigmatic spirit of innovation, transforming personal sound experiments into tracks that resonate on global streaming platforms. As of October 2025, Dmstry boasts around 1,023 monthly listeners on Spotify — a modest but dedicated following that underscores his underground appeal and potential for broader breakthroughs.
Early Life and Influences
Raised in the heart of Lusaka’s dynamic cultural milieu, Dmstry discovered music as a form of escape and expression during his formative years. His journey into production began in 2011 when his sister purchased a laptop for university that came pre-installed with FL Studio. This serendipitous setup sparked his self-taught exploration of music production, though coordinating access to the computer proved challenging due to her school commitments.
Initially drawn to Skrillex, Dmstry’s early influences expanded to include a plethora of global icons. Locally, the Zambian hip-hop and Afrobeats scenes fueled his genre-blending approach. He initially performed under the moniker Gravity 9inety 6ix — a nod to his birth year — before transitioning to his current alias in 2018, embracing the “mystery” as a metaphor for the unpredictable alchemy of sound design.
Career Beginnings and Breakthrough
Dmstry’s professional ascent began in the underground Zambian music circuit, where his multifaceted skills as an audio engineer and remixer quickly distinguished him. By the late 2010s, he was producing tracks that merged EDM with hip-hop’s raw edge and phonk’s hazy vibes, often collaborating with emerging talents to amplify voices in Zambia’s evolving soundscape.
The pivotal shift from Gravity 9inety 6ix to Dmstry allowed him to lean into more experimental, mystery-laden productions. This era saw him dropping singles that garnered plays on platforms like Boomplay and Audiomack, building a reputation for meticulous soundscapes that feel both intimate and explosive.
He offers services in beat-making across genres including EDM, hip-hop/rap, Afro-beats, house, tropical house, and electro-pop, as well as professional vocal mixing. Key highlights include producing music for Ugandan DJ SR Victor256, which won awards in multiple countries, and securing a placement with Warner Music South Africa for a remix on Locnville’s award-winning EP Tribes & Angels. Reflecting on these opportunities, Dmstry attributes them to being in the “right place at the right time.”
Musical Style and Signature Sound
At the core of Dmstry’s artistry lies a genre-defying ethos: EDM as a vessel for cultural dialogue. His tracks pulse with layered synths, thunderous basslines, and meticulously crafted elements that evoke Zambia’s vibrant energy — tropical house nods in unexpected experiments, phonk-infused hip-hop that keeps listeners engaged long after the drop.
In his creative process for beatmaking, he always starts by crafting drum patterns, then seeks out a compelling melody to layer on top. When listening to any song, he draws inspiration primarily from the instrumentation, often before paying attention to the lyrics.
His productions create hybrids that demand high-volume playback and showcase his commitment to pushing sonic boundaries. As he quipped on X in late 2024 about a tropical house pivot, “Never thought I’d be working on [this] in 2024.” Dmstry thrives on evolution, often sharing throwback clips with mentors like Mag44 to honor his roots.
Personal Life and Philosophy
Though Dmstry keeps much of his personal world shrouded — like the “mystery” in his name — he’s vocal on X about gratitude, mentorship, and the grind of production. A self-proclaimed introvert, he balances studio solitude with rare on-camera moments, often crediting family and peers for his trajectory.
Music serves as therapy for him, and he aims to create tracks that evoke the same therapeutic experience for others. For Dmstry, having an identity means being unique and setting oneself apart in everything one does. He views purpose as the thing one is tailor-made to do in life, and fulfillment as being faithful to that calling.
Reflecting on his journey, he asserts, “Without faith, I wouldn’t be here,” noting that everything he is doing now stems from visions and dreams he held earlier in life. However, his path hasn’t been without challenges. Hackers once infiltrated his PC, demanding a ransom he couldn’t pay, resulting in the loss of all his tracks. In 2022, another blow came when his PC was stolen from a table at his sister’s place — a devastating loss that tested his resilience but ultimately strengthened his resolve.
Currently, Dmstry is expanding his creative arsenal by learning cinematography, aiming to become an all-round creative director for his clients. In a scene dominated by extroverted stars, his quiet intensity shines through in his tributes to legends and his pursuit of specific drum packs that reveal a perfectionist’s heart.
Legacy and Future Outlook
At 29, Dmstry stands as a beacon for Zambia’s EDM vanguard, proving that mystery breeds mastery. His work not only elevates local talent but pushes boundaries, from phonk experiments to dancefloor anthems. With recent X activity teasing more collaborations and a discography that’s steadily expanding, expect Dmstry to unravel more layers — perhaps a full album or international tour that will cement his place in the global electronic music landscape.
