Don Syno

Akinade Akinwunmi aka Don Syno is a Lagos-born, South Africa raised and based rapper, music producer, and sound engineer who specializes in the Afro Trap genre, he is identified as a Nigerian-South African by nationality had he’s spent most of his life, over two decades in South Africa. He is known for blending modern trap elements with African rhythms, often under his own label, #1 Don Entertainment.

Afro Trap, associated with artists like Don Syno, is a fusion genre blending US Trap music's heavy bass and rhythms with Sub-Saharan African sounds like Afrobeats, Afro-pop, and traditional African music, characterized by unique rhythms, deep emotion, and bright melodies from African influences. Don Syno, a Nigerian-born South African producer and rapper in South Africa, often fits into this Hip-Hop/Rap space, delivering music within the vibrant Afro Trap scene, sometimes featuring local sounds like Senegalese elements.

Akinade Akinwunmi is a prominent figure in the Afro Trap scene, brands himself as a leading representative of Afro-trap originating from the African continent. While the term "Afro-trap" was originally coined and popularized by French rapper MHD in the mid-2010s, Don Syno is actively positioning himself to take the sound global from an indigenous African base. 

Don Syno claims a pioneering role in bringing the African-rooted version of Afro-trap to a global audience, differentiating his sound from the French-pioneered style.
He joins other regional pioneers—such as Emtee and 25K in South Africa—who have also been credited with defining the "African Trap" sound for the continent. 

His 2025 release, "Afro - Trapping," directly highlights his focus on this hybrid genre.

While South African rappers like Emtee define the "African Trap Movement" with a more regional Zulu influence, Don Syno's sound reflects a cross-diasporic approach, blending Nigerian melodic flair with SA-based hip-hop production, placing him at the intersection of both Afro Trap and African Trap sounds. 

AFROTRAP ROYALE is an EP released by the artist Don Syno on October 9, 2025. The project is classified within the Hip-Hop/Rap genre and is available across major streaming platforms. 

Afrotrap Royale is recognized as the first full-length film centered on the Afrotrap genre, a fusion of African rhythms and trap music. Directed and starring Don Syno, the film explores the cultural and musical roots of the movement. 

Afrotrap Royale
Genre: It is a narrative film that blends elements of drama and documentary to depict the lifestyle and rise of Afrotrap.
* Creator: Don Syno, an artist and filmmaker deeply embedded in the Afrotrap scene, wrote and directed the project to provide an authentic portrayal of the genre's influence.
* Historical Significance: While Afrotrap was popularized by artists like MHD in the mid-2010s, this film is cited as the first cinematic production to dedicate its entire runtime to the genre's specific aesthetic and social impact.