Tariq Dakhil and BPM Guyana are pioneering an EDM culture in Guyana

Mar 14, 2025 News

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Kaieteur News- In a country where soca and dancehall reign supreme, a revolutionary wave is building. At its crest stands Tariq Dakhil, founder of BPM Guyana, who is single-handedly introducing electronic dance music culture to a nation that’s just beginning to feel its pulse.

“I’ve always had a deep appreciation for unique sounds,” Dakhil explains, tracing his journey back to his teenage years. But it wasn’t until a fateful trip to neighbouring Suriname at 17 that his vision crystalized. “The culture there thrives on EDM. It wasn’t just music, it was a movement. People didn’t dance because a song was trending; they danced because of how it made them feel.”

That transformative experience planted a seed that would take years to germinate. After immersing himself in countless international raves and festivals, Dakhil and his fiancée Rosanna Fung, founded BPM Guyana, determined to bring that electrifying energy home to a landscape ripe for musical evolution.

Guyana paradoxically exists as one of the most culturally diverse and resource-rich countries in the region, yet its entertainment landscape has remained surprisingly narrow. Dakhil identifies this contradiction as opportunity rather than obstacle.

“We’ve peaked in the urban music sector, generating massive traction with artists like Vybz Kartel. However, this also means we’ve nearly maxed out the growth potential within that space,” he observes, pointing to the virgin territory that is electronic music.

His vision stretches beyond mere entertainment, reaching toward economic development. “By embracing electronic music, we can open the door to North American and European markets, attracting a new wave of tourism and investment,” Dakhil says, citing St. Martin as a model—a nation of just 40,000 people whose SXM Music Festival injects $20 million into their economy in a single weekend. But bringing this vision to life would require starting from the ground up in a market unfamiliar with the genre.

Humble beginnings to growing movement

BPM Guyana’s origin story lacks the glitz one might expect from a movement now poised to revolutionize the country’s entertainment industry. Their first event, held in the intimate setting of The Vintage Wine Bar, drew no more than 50 people. Yet something magical happened that night that would set the foundation for everything to come.

“Music has this universal power,” Dakhil reflects. “It doesn’t matter if you know the genre, the artist, or even the song. When the right frequencies hit, when a track is composed just right, it connects on a level beyond words. And that’s exactly what we witnessed. People started moving.”

This initial spark, though small, proved his theory that Guyanese people could connect with EDM if given the chance. The challenge then became how to nurture and grow this nascent connection in the face of significant obstacles. His passion is palpable when dispelling misconceptions about rave culture that have hindered its acceptance locally. “From the outside, EDM and rave culture are often misunderstood. Some see it as a scene fueled by stimulants. But when you step inside, you realize the real euphoria comes from something else—the music itself.”

This misconception represents just one of many hurdles BPM Guyana has had to overcome on its journey. Building a movement from scratch in an unreceptive market has required tenacity and vision. “Hosting an EDM event the right way isn’t just about playing music,” Dakhil explains. “It requires the perfect venue, top-tier equipment, skilled DJs and, crucially, the right sponsors.”

In an environment where EDM was initially considered taboo, securing these elements proved daunting. Financial constraints have been particularly limiting. “Without strong sponsorship, we can’t unlock BPM Guyana’s full potential. Time and again, we’ve operated at a loss or barely broken even because we prioritize production quality and top-tier DJ lineups.”

Despite these challenges and even during the pandemic, which forced them to pivot to live streams and intimate home sessions. Their determination never wavered. “What drives us forward is the love for EDM, how it moves people through different phases of life, and how through it, we can build a real thriving community in Guyana.” This persistence has gradually paid off as the movement has gained momentum and broader acceptance.

From small venues to festival dreams

Through years of consistent effort, BPM Guyana has witnessed a remarkable evolution, from hosting international acts like Michael Brun and DJ Chuckie for crowds of around 500, to now preparing for what Dakhil calls “something historic.”

“2024 marked a turning point. The birth of true EDM festival-style events in Guyana,” he says with pride, culminating in the upcoming “Darude Storm25 Music & Arts Festival,” which celebrates the 25th anniversary of Darude’s iconic track “Sandstorm” and represents a full-circle moment for Dakhil.

“This moment has been 15 years in the making for me,” he reveals, recalling when he first heard the song in a Gizmos and Gadgets commercial. “Bringing Darude to Guyana is a bold move. The venue can hold four times our biggest crowd, and production costs will be nearly ten times higher than anything we’ve done before. But as a nation, it’s time for us to compete on the global stage, and this is our moment.” This ambitious scaling up reflects both BPM Guyana’s growth and Dakhil’s evolving vision for what electronic music can bring to his country.

Creating an authentic experience with Guyanese flavour

What has allowed BPM Guyana to gradually win over local audiences is their careful fusion of international EDM culture with Caribbean essence. Rather than simply importing a foreign product, Dakhil has consciously developed a unique hybrid.

“Our mission is to make EDM relatable,” he explains. “We achieve this by booking artists who bring a solid Caribbean foundation, ensuring that our cultural essence remains at the forefront, while also featuring world-renowned DJs who deliver a deeper, immersive EDM experience.”

This cultural bridge-building extends to their choice of venues, unique spaces that celebrate art and culture, enhanced by mesmerising light shows, with plans to introduce pyrotechnics and fireworks for future events. By respecting Guyanese cultural identity while introducing new musical experiences, BPM Guyana has been able to gradually expand its audience and influence in the local scene.

Building an Industry

Dakhil’s ambitions have expanded alongside his success. What began as a mission to create “a massive regional dance music and arts festival attended by tens of thousands” has evolved into something more comprehensive; a foundation for a whole new branch of Guyana’s music industry. “We realised the need to cultivate local talent, to give DJs and producers a platform to perform, evolve, and be recognized,” he explains. “This led to our future plans for a dedicated local EDM studio and record label, aimed at pushing Guyanese-produced tracks onto the global stage.”

The impact of these efforts is already becoming apparent. “Since we started, more local DJs have embraced EDM in their sets, and promoters are now hosting genre-specific events like Afrohouse while booking local EDM talent.”

This ripple effect is precisely what Dakhil hoped to achieve—not just hosting events, but catalyzing a broader movement. “Five years from now, I see Guyana being a major hub for entertainment in the region with at least 2-3 major music festivals along with new and upcoming EDM production companies.”

A Legacy Beyond Music

When asked about his ultimate impact, Dakhil’s response reveals the depth of his vision. “They say the music you listen to can shape your values. But I believe it goes even deeper, it can shape your spirit, your mindset, and the way you see the world.”

This philosophical outlook informs everything BPM Guyana does. His hope is that their legacy won’t just be measured in successful events or economic impact, but in the lives they’ve touched, helping people connect more deeply with themselves and each other, fostering respect and love that transcends backgrounds. “Long after Guyana rises as a major hub for entertainment and EDM in the region, I hope our true legacy isn’t just the events we’ve created, but the lives we’ve touched,” he reflects.

For Dakhil, this journey represents something far more profound than introducing a new genre of music. “BPM Guyana isn’t just about music,” he concludes. “It’s about daring to dream, to create, and to push past fear. Let it stand as a symbol of bravery, a reminder that your creativity is your power, and that no doubt, no obstacle, and no failure should ever silence what you were meant to bring into this world.”

As Guyana stands at the crossroads of tradition and innovation, Tariq Dakhil isn’t just orchestrating dance floors, he’s orchestrating a cultural revolution, one beat at a time, proving that sometimes the most powerful changes begin with something as simple as music that makes people move.

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