Cassy Isabella, better known as Bellaworldwide, is a cultural force who refuses to be confined by borders or labels. From her Haitian roots and Jamaican influences to finding a deep connection with Africa, her life is a masterclass in embracing every part of who you are. Her journey has taken her across continents, but it’s in Africa; Ghana and South Africa, specifically, that she’s carved out a space where her love for music, storytelling and community thrives.

As a celebrated DJ, producer and founder of The Roaming Republic, Bellaworldwide has built a life that marries her love for music, travel and community. Whether she’s spinning Amapiano grooves in Johannesburg, curating immersive cultural experiences in Accra or blending Afrobeats with Caribbean rhythms in her own productions, Bellaworldwide carries with her a unique perspective. One that honours her roots while embracing the beauty of the global Black experience.

Her work reflects an artist who doesn’t just play music but tells stories, bridging worlds with every beat and every destination.

In our latest #RVUnMute conversation, Bellawordwide opens up about her multicultural upbringing, the influence of Africa on her artistry, and the evolution of her passion projects. From learning to DJ in South Africa to building a travel platform that’s changing lives, she shares her highs, her challenges and what keeps her moving forward.

RV: Growing up in Canada to Haitian parents, with Jamaican roots and now based in South Africa, how has your multicultural background shaped your identity and influenced your career path?

BW: I’ve always felt like being Black in Canada made it hard to fully connect with the idea of “Canadian culture.” There’s this sense of not fully belonging. So when I began traveling heavily, I started seeing parts of myself in different parts of the world. Eventually, I naturally gravitated to Africa where I found the deepest sense of identity. My Haitian roots gave me rhythm and storytelling, and growing up around Jamaicans and other Caribbeans deeply shaped my love for dancehall. But it wasn’t until I visited Africa in 2017 that I experienced a true sense of home. Living in South Africa now has brought that full circle. It’s transformed my identity and my creative process. My music is a fusion of everything—my Caribbean influences, my African discoveries, and my global experiences.

RV: Can you share more about your connection to Africa and how your move to South Africa has impacted your life and work?

BW: Africa has been life-changing for me. The first time I visited was in 2017 when I went to Ghana, and I instantly fell in love with the energy, the music, and the people. That’s where I first discovered Afrobeats—I remember coming back to Canada and telling everyone about this “African dancehall” that completely blew my mind. Later that year, I visited South Africa, discovered amapiano. It was still very house-driven at the time. I fell in love with the country and told myself I’d live there one day. I finally made it happen in 2021. Living here has shaped me creatively and personally—it’s even where I learned to DJ in 2023. South Africa’s music scene is incredibly rich and innovative, and being here has influenced how I amplify African culture through my platform, The Roaming Republic. It’s a privilege to experience the depth of talent, the beauty of the culture, and the richness of the music firsthand. 

RV: You’ve described Ghana as a second home. What drew you to the country initially, and how has it contributed to your evolution as a DJ and creative?
BW: Ghana was my first love in Africa. I discovered afrobeats there, and it completely shifted my music taste. I remember attending this event called Ghana vs. Naija and seeing artists like Davido and Shatta Wale perform. The way the music moved people was unlike anything I’d ever seen. Since then, I’ve returned every year and built incredible connections there. When I started DJing in 2023, my Ghanaian community was so supportive—I played almost 20 gigs in a month and got to learn so much from many of my Dj friends. That experience sharpened my skills and broadened my understanding of DJing. Ghana has deeply influenced my sound, and bringing groups there every December for AfroFuture since 2021 has been my way of sharing that magic with others.

RV: Your sets incorporate amapiano, afrobeats, gqom, and more. How do you approach blending genres and crafting a unique listening experience?

BW: Blending genres is about storytelling for me. I also produce, so I enjoy creating my own mashups and edits of music I collect all over the world. Every song I play has a role in the narrative I’m creating for that moment. My travels have given me access to music from all over the world, which gives me a unique edge. This makes it easy for me to create sets that speak to the musical culture of any audience while still staying true to my own unique sound. Whether it’s amapiano’s soulful grooves or afrobeats’ infectious energy, I aim to create smooth transitions that resonate with audiences while staying true to my sound. It’s about giving people an experience that feels fresh but is still deeply rooted in their culture.

RV: What’s the one song you’re obsessed with playing right now?

BW: There’s not just one haha. I’m obsessed with “Holy Ghost” by Omah Lay. It’s one of those tracks that gets the crowd moving every time—it’s so beautifully produced. I’m also loving “Chibuku” by Prince Kaybee. I also LOVE Ndisize by Caiiro and Ami Faku. Generally, I’m obsessed with 3-step right now, and wherever I go, I find a way to incorporate it into my sets.

RV: If you could host a dream DJ set anywhere in the world, where would it be, and why?
BW: I’d love to host a set on a mountaintop somewhere with incredible views in the background. I love combining music and nature—there’s something magical about creating a vibe in such a breathtaking setting.

RV: You’ve recently started producing your own music. What inspires your sound, and what can we expect from your upcoming releases?

BW: I want to create music that makes people feel something—music for people who truly appreciate good sound, not just club hits. My sound is inspired by my life in Africa, my Caribbean roots, and my travels. Right now, I’m creating afro-soul music with subtle dancehall influences in the beats. Moving forward, I’m excited to dive into 3-step, afrohouse, and amapiano. I’m blending all these influences into something that feels uniquely me.

RV: You’re a multifaceted creative, and aside from music, you’ve built The Roaming Republic into a unique travel platform. What inspired its creation, and how has it evolved over the past six years?

BW: The Roaming Republic started as a passion project. “Bellaworldwide” started as a travel influencer inspiring people who look like me to get out and go see places we don’t often go. Through my travel content, a community of people who wanted to travel with me grew. Our first group trip to Thailand in 2018, co-led by my late business partner Ced, was such a success that it grew from there. Over the past six years, it’s become a movement—a community we call “Roamers.” We’ve taken people to Ghana, South Africa, Kenya, Thailand, Colombia and more. Each trip has a give-back component, where we visit local schools or orphanages and bring donations. It’s about more than just travel; it’s about creating meaningful connections and leaving a positive impact.

RV: As someone passionate about amplifying Africa, how do you curate travel experiences to connect “roamers” with the continent’s rich culture and music?

BW: Curating these experiences is deeply personal to me. I always visit new countries beforehand, run through the itinerary myself, and build strong relationships with local vendors. I use the relationships I have built over the years with locals to ensure our trips are seamless and empower locals. Our trips combine nightlife, history, and opportunities to give back, creating a balance of fun and cultural immersion. We want our roamers to experience the magic of Africa in a way that feels authentic and immersive.

RV: What’s been the most rewarding travel experience you’ve had with The Roaming Republic, and why?

BW: Our Ghana 2022 trip stands out. Many roamers had lost loved ones that year, and the trip became a space for healing. At the end of the trip, during our Roamer Awards, people shared how the experience helped them through their grief. The group ended up in tears, hugging and supporting one another. Moments like that remind me why I started this journey—it’s about creating bonds and memories that last a lifetime. Running the roaming republic has been an intense up and down journey as with any business endeavour. What makes this more intense is that it was birthed purely from a passion project and not a desire to make money. We have survived a pandemic and the loss of my business partner. The greatest reward has been seeing how this company has overcome and thrived through these challenges to continue impacting people’s lives beyond just one trip.

RV: From flight attendant to DJ, producer, and travel entrepreneur, your journey is incredibly diverse. What has been the biggest challenge in balancing these facets of your career?

BW: Balancing everything is definitely a challenge. Each role requires something different from me. Time management has been my biggest hurdle, especially when my passions shift from season to season. I’m learning to prioritize what’s important and delegate when I can. It’s a constant balancing act, but I wouldn’t trade it for anything.

RV: What’s next for Cassy Isabella? Any big projects or goals you’re particularly excited about?

BW: Right now, I’m focused on creating and releasing my own music while making sure The Roaming Republic can thrive with less involvement from me. I have already begun recording so I’m looking forward to being able to play my own music 2025. Long-term, I want to keep amplifying African culture through both music and travel. I’m excited to explore new ways of connecting people to the beauty of this continent.