Dope Gal is a creative empowerment project championed by Ugandan DJ and cultural curator Catu Diosis. The project operates as part of COPI, a non-governmental organisation based in Uganda that empowers local communities through arts, culture, and creative expression. Dope Gal centers collaboration among female DJs, producers, emcees, dancers, visual artists, and other sisters working within the music and creative industries, with a strong focus on African voices.

HISTORY
As a touring Ugandan/African female DJ since 2016, Catu Diosis quickly recognized the imbalance in the representation of female, especially African, artists within the music industry.

In response, she began mentoring upcoming female DJs to help bridge this gap while encouraging collaboration rather than competition. This initiative gave birth to Dope Gal, with Blacksistarz (a producer/DJ duo formed with Kampala-based rising DJ R3ign Drops) becoming the project’s first collaborative effort.

In 2020, Dope Gal expanded internationally through a collaboration with Oh Lorena, founder of Palast der Löwin, a creative space for African female artists based in Bonn, Germany. Sharing the same vision, they created the music project “Dope Gal Magic EP,” which later toured Europe under the name Dope Gal Magic.

Throughout its development, Dope Gal has remained grounded in community empowerment, aligning with COPI’s mission to use creativity as a tool for social change and local capacity building.

THE PHILOSOPHY & CONCEPT
A Dope Gal show aims to release and celebrate divine feminine expression on and off the stage through unity, solidarity, and collective power. The core philosophy is to always have each other’s backs.

Each show is conceptualized by inviting African female emcees, DJs, producers, visual artists, and dancers to collaborate in live performances. For every show, the best local Dope Gals are invited to step on stage and join the Dope Gal army, strengthening local creative communities and networks.

Rooted in COPI’s community-focused approach, Dope Gal prioritizes safe and inclusive spaces away from the male gaze, where female creativity can thrive freely and authentically. The future is African and female, and Dope Gal exists to elevate female creativity as a powerful force for cultural and community empowerment.