PLUGGED IN DXB Podcast

Keegan Basil and Just AMN

PLUGGED IN is the Dubai podcast where music meets movement and the culture comes first. Hosted by Dubai radio host and MC Keegan Basil and South African open-format DJ Just AMN (16+ years, 200+ nightclubs), and curated by Mystique. Every episode is an unscripted, honest conversation about life in the UAE, the nightlife and DJ industry, music, money, friendships, growing up South African and building a life abroad. Expect hot takes, Saffa slang, real stories and guests like Idols SA winner Paxton Fielies and DJ Shef Codes. New episodes weekly. Stay plugged in.

Episodes

  1. Oct 4

    Moved to Dubai With 2 Suitcases: Was It Worth It?

    Keegan moved to Dubai in 2018 knowing nobody, with two 23kg bags and a backpack. Eight years later, was it worth it? AMN has played every Christmas, New Year's Eve and birthday since he was 16. This is the real price of chasing it abroad. In this episode: • The sacrifices nobody sees: missed weddings, birthdays and family time • From Emirates cabin crew to building a life in the UAE • Strict SA school uniforms, a tattoo at 13 and parents who kept it real • Treating yourself in Dubai (and the self-control it takes) • AMN on opening for Chris Brown in South Africa • New DJs: pay your dues and get a mentor • Braai Day plans and a big Q4 ahead Chapters: 0:00 Intro and Q4 energy 1:39 AMN heads to Qatar for Hex Nation 4:20 Working every Christmas, NYE and birthday 12:33 Strict SA schools and a tattoo at 13 9:17 Weddings: hopeless romantic vs no formal shoes 6:00 Emirates cabin crew and missing home15:13 Parents, trust and freedom 21:03 Eight years in Dubai with two 23kg bags 23:47 Treating yourself in Dubai 27:33 10 episodes in: shout-out to Jeff 29:41 Braai Day plans (24 Oct, JBR) 35:06 Give people their flowers now 35:39 Abu Dhabi F1 and the UAE doing it elevated 37:15 Chris Brown, and AMN opening for him in SA 41:35 New DJs: pay your dues, get a mentor 43:11 Wrap-up Hosts: Keegan Basil (@keeganbasil) & Just AMN (@itsjustamn)Curated by Mystique (@mystiqueparties) | mystiquebyma.com Follow PLUGGED IN on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pluggedindxb

  2. Oct 4

    We Survived 2012 for THIS? Movies & SA Slang

    We really grew up thinking the world would end in 2012. And somehow this is what came after. Keegan and AMN get into the movies that shaped them, the twists that broke them, and why South Africans can't explain 'now now'. In this episode: • Spider-Man hype in Dubai and an honest review of Obsession • Top 3 movies of all time (and AMN has never finished Titanic) • 2012, Nostradamus and the Simpsons predictions • Shutter Island, Glass Onion, The Menu and movies that mess with your head • SA slang explained: 'shame', 'now now', robots and garages • What 'Dubai it' actually means • A billion dollars, one day: what we'd buy Chapters: 0:00 Intro: a yacht on a Tuesday 1:40 Surviving 50 degrees 2:45 Spider-Man in Dubai and Obsession review 6:33 Top 3 movies and the Titanic debate 9:15 Growing up before screens 10:20 2012, Nostradamus and predictions 14:43 Shutter Island and mind-bending films 17:58 Trafficking films and child safety 20:08 Don't leave your phone on the table in SA 20:40 AMN's number one: Iron Man 24:31 SA slang: shame, now now, robots 28:16 What 'Dubai it' means 30:58 Menendez brothers and OJ 37:30 CERN and billionaire bunkers 40:41 A billion dollars in one day 48:50 Chill convos or deep convos? Tell us Hosts: Keegan Basil (@keeganbasil) & Just AMN (@itsjustamn) Curated by Mystique (@mystiqueparties) | mystiquebyma.com Follow PLUGGED IN on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pluggedindxb

  3. Oct 4

    Same Hotel, Lost Cameras & Real DJ Talent

    Same hotel, same time, by accident. Then both of us lost our cameras in the same stretch. Coincidence or alignment? Plus AMN's plan to shine a light on DJs with real skill, not just hype. In this episode: • A surprise meetup at Marriott Resort Palm Jumeirah • Losing your camera and not losing your cool • AMN's new series spotlighting skilled DJs • What South Africa's industry needs to fix • Bunking school through a Durban graveyard• Hot take: avocado tastes like Vaseline • The Spur birthday song and AMN's first main stage at 17 Chapters: 0:00 Intro: back from the break 0:35 AMN's trip home to SA 1:39 Same hotel, same time: the Palm staycation 6:34 We both lost our cameras 10:25 What needs to change in SA's industry 11:29 AMN's series spotlighting real DJ skill 19:36 Durban high school, the hill and the graveyard 22:18 Learn from people who've been there 27:12 Hot take: avocado tastes like Vaseline 29:22 Cherries and the Spur birthday song 32:05 Moving house and letting go 34:46 AMN's first main stage at 17 36:22 Teamwork at Mystique 40:39 Lemons, lemonade and life not being linear43:17 Wrap-up Hosts: Keegan Basil (@keeganbasil) & Just AMN (@itsjustamn) Curated by Mystique (@mystiqueparties) | mystiquebyma.com Follow PLUGGED IN on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pluggedindxb

  4. Oct 4

    Proudly South African in Dubai: Bafana & Braai

    Why do we feel more South African the moment we leave South Africa? Keegan gets honest about a tough stretch, AMN keeps it light, and the conversation goes from Nokia 3310s to Bafana Bafana to why a braai is not a barbecue. In this episode: • Admitting that things are tough (and growing through it) • What success meant at 15, at 21 and at 30 • Growing up outside vs kids on iPads • Marbles, tops, PlayStation and the Nokia 3310 • Bafana Bafana at the World Cup • "But isn't South Africa dangerous?" • Braai vs barbecue, settled Chapters: 0:00 Intro 0:35 Being honest: things are tough 6:33 No good sailor from smooth seas 11:22 Talk good about people behind their backs 11:54 World Cup: never too old to succeed 13:32 What success meant at 15, 21 and 30 20:08 Kids, iPads and playing outside 20:42 Growing up in Cape Town (what's a vlei?) 23:24 Marbles, tops and the Nokia 3310 29:58 Bafana Bafana: we need to do better 31:34 Proud to be South African abroad 34:49 Isn't SA dangerous? 36:23 Zulu, Afrikaans and 11 languages 37:25 AMN's SA tour plans39:00 Family, forgiveness and no expectations 43:20 Locker Room weekly lineup 45:26 Braai vs barbecue 46:31 Good luck, Bafana Hosts: Keegan Basil (@keeganbasil) & Just AMN (@itsjustamn) Curated by Mystique (@mystiqueparties) | mystiquebyma.com Follow PLUGGED IN on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pluggedindxb

  5. Oct 4

    Money, Fake Friends & Knowing Your Worth

    Your friend owes you money. Do you say something or protect the friendship? Keegan and AMN get into business with friends, undercutting your rates, fake friends, pretty privilege and the question every South African abroad gets: 'but where are you actually from?' In this episode: • Mixing money and friendship (put it on paper) • Why undercutting your rate hurts the whole industry • A friendship that ended over honesty • Two real friends beat a full table • Forgive and forget? AMN doesn't • Pretty privilege is real • "Where are you actually from?" South African identity abroad Chapters: 0:00 Intro: jackets in the UAE? 3:48 Why are guys in Dubai losing their hair? 6:26 Money conversations with friends 8:33 Business vs friendship: put it on paper 12:22 Nobody's coming to save you 12:54 Stop undercutting your rate 14:31 A friendship that ended over honesty 17:17 Not investing in an empty cup 20:25 Too many WhatsApp groups 21:28 Two real friends beat a full table 24:10 Do you need closure? 26:50 Forgive and forget? 29:31 If you have to change to fit in, it's not your group 31:39 Don't announce it until it's done 32:44 Superstitions and energy 35:28 Pretty privilege 39:14 But where are you actually from? 43:00 South Africans are a feeling 43:34 Back your country Hosts: Keegan Basil (@keeganbasil) & Just AMN (@itsjustamn) Curated by Mystique (@mystiqueparties) | mystiquebyma.com Follow PLUGGED IN on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pluggedindxb

  6. Oct 4

    Paxton Fielies: R1 Million at 17 & Life After Idols

    As featured on News24: https://www.news24.com/life/arts-and-entertainment/celebrities/i-know-who-i-am-paxton-fielies-reflects-on-dubai-debut-and-growing-beyond-idols-sa-20260701-0806 In this episode: • From the Cape Town Children's Choir to winning Idols SA• Going from 300 Instagram followers to millions of viewers every Sunday • What actually happens with the R1 million prize • Dropping out of school for the competition• Learning boundaries young • Her albums This Is Me and 2323, and what's next • Play It or Pass It: TikTok stars, Afrobeats and dating musicians Chapters: 0:00 Welcome Paxton: first time performing in Dubai 1:47 Respect at home vs abroad 5:30 Nervous but never intimidated 8:11 Paxton the person vs the name12:25 Why connection matters in music 14:36 From children's choir to Idols SA17:22 300 followers to millions every Sunday 19:05 Money changes the people around you 22:27 Learning the word boundary 23:33 What happens with R1 million at 17 26:47 Dropping out of school for Idols 29:29 Auditioning the night before 31:06 Security, managers and saying no 32:40 Dating after fame and the 2323 album36:30 New music: writing her own story 42:29 SA music industry and going independent 46:15 Play It or Pass It 49:35 Why the world should come to SA 58:34 Advice for young artists 1:00:44 Thank you and wrap Hosts: Keegan Basil (@keeganbasil) & Just AMN (@itsjustamn) Guest: Paxton Fielies (@paxtonfielies_), Idols SA Season 13 winner Curated by Mystique (@mystiqueparties) | mystiquebyma.com Follow PLUGGED IN on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pluggedindxb55:46 Staying marketable by staying yourself

  7. Oct 4

    Keegan's Idols SA Audition & Chasing Passion

    Keegan auditioned for Idols SA singing Ed Sheeran. Nobody knew until now. Plus: you saw a friend's partner cheating, do you say something? And why talent without a budget is beating the big guys. In this episode: • The dilemma: do you tell your friend? • Low-budget films beating blockbusters, and raw talent • Followers vs passion: stop chasing the bag • When your friends don't show up for you online • Keegan's Idols SA and SABC auditions, and how that led to Dubai • AMN played a full year for free at 15 • COVID: double down or pivot Chapters: 0:00 Intro 1:37 Dilemma: you saw a friend's partner cheating 8:02 AC on 14 degrees: house rules 10:43 Low-budget films beating blockbusters 12:22 Followers vs passion 13:58 You have to be buried to grow 14:29 The social media learning curve 16:06 How this podcast started 17:10 When friends don't show support 22:01 Paxton recap 22:34 Keegan's Idols SA audition 25:44 Why the biggest stars are humble 28:19 The SABC audition that led Keegan to Dubai 29:56 AMN played a year for free at 15 32:05 COVID: double down or pivot 35:15 How AMN handles arguments 41:40 Lead with honesty 42:46 What's on with Mystique Hosts: Keegan Basil (@keeganbasil) & Just AMN (@itsjustamn) Curated by Mystique (@mystiqueparties) | mystiquebyma.com Follow PLUGGED IN on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pluggedindxb

  8. Oct 4

    DJ Shef Codes: 20 Years in Dubai & Press-Play DJs

    He started by recording songs off the radio onto cassette. 20+ years later, Shef Codes is one of Dubai's most respected DJs. We talk premixes, influencer DJs who can't read a room, the name 'Shef Codes', and the first ever round of Rich or Delusional. In this episode: • From Sri Lanka to Dubai at 9, and DJing for 20+ years • Where the name Shef Codes comes from • DJ Bliss and his first paid gig at Emirates Palace • Respecting the roots: Afro house and hip hop • Premixes, press-play DJs and reading a crowd • Turning down a gig when the brand doesn't fit • Rich or Delusional: 47 outfit pics, sunglasses after midnight and more Chapters: 0:00 Welcome Shef Codes 2:10 20+ years DJing: radio on cassette 4:20 From Sri Lanka to Dubai 6:57 Amapiano at ungodly BPMs 8:03 How Dubai shaped him 11:19 Where the name Shef Codes comes from 14:33 You can't buy reputation 16:09 Staying relevant in a fast city 17:45 Respect the roots: Afro house and hip hop 19:54 DJ Bliss and the first paid gig 23:08 Your network is your net worth 26:54 Talent, timing and luck 27:59 Dubai and mediocrity 30:05 Premixes and press-play DJs 31:09 Influencer DJs who can't read a crowd 35:59 Rich or Delusional 43:25 When your moral code isn't for sale 48:44 Going out as a DJ = going to the office 49:45 The night Shef stayed for AMN's whole set 50:47 Advice for new DJs52:59 A gift from Mystique Hosts: Keegan Basil (@keeganbasil) & Just AMN (@itsjustamn) Guest: DJ Shef Codes (@mrshefcodes, please confirm) Curated by Mystique (@mystiqueparties) | mystiquebyma.com Follow PLUGGED IN on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pluggedindxb

  9. Oct 4

    Talented or Just Connected? Hype vs Real DJs

    Are the people on the biggest stages actually talented, or just well connected? Keegan asks the question everyone in entertainment whispers, and AMN answers from 15+ years behind the decks. Plus the colorblind DJ story nobody saw coming. In this episode: • Lineups built on hype and follower counts • Types of DJs, and what software does for you now • Premixes, shows and why set lengths differ in the UAE and SA • Networking when you're an introvert • AMN's first Dubai gig and a photo that came true • AMN is colorblind (yes, really) • Working for free: where to draw the line Chapters: 0:00 Intro 1:35 Talented or just well connected? 3:13 Lineups built on hype 5:23 Types of DJs and what software does now 7:32 Premixes, shows and Black Coffee 9:07 Set lengths: UAE vs South Africa 10:42 Flowers for the wrong people 12:20 Who you know and hidden opportunities 15:33 From cabin crew to the UAE 17:09 AMN's first Dubai gig and a manifestation photo 19:48 The colorblind DJ 23:33 Working for free: where's the line? 25:10 Saying no without guilt 27:55 How to add value 30:03 Why this podcast exists 33:16 Shout-out to the working DJs Hosts: Keegan Basil (@keeganbasil) & Just AMN (@itsjustamn) Curated by Mystique (@mystiqueparties) | mystiquebyma.com Follow PLUGGED IN on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pluggedindxb

  • 9 Episodes

About

PLUGGED IN is the Dubai podcast where music meets movement and the culture comes first. Hosted by Dubai radio host and MC Keegan Basil and South African open-format DJ Just AMN (16+ years, 200+ nightclubs), and curated by Mystique. Every episode is an unscripted, honest conversation about life in the UAE, the nightlife and DJ industry, music, money, friendships, growing up South African and building a life abroad. Expect hot takes, Saffa slang, real stories and guests like Idols SA winner Paxton Fielies and DJ Shef Codes. New episodes weekly. Stay plugged in.

Information

  • Creator
    Keegan Basil and Just AMN
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    9
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Keegan Basil and Just AMN
  • Show Website
    PLUGGED IN DXB Podcast