My DJ Journey So Far

I started being a mobile dj when I was about 14 years old and I used to play at small functions like birthday parties, weddings etc. I got in to it because I loved music more than anything and had some friends that were Djs and it seemed like the best thing in the world. And let me tell you it is. Then I became a club dj and I worked at a few clubs in Durban. I then moved to JHB in 1999 and worked at a few clubs in JHB too. I also did a lot of MC work and hosted pageants and functions. I always wanted to be on the radio ever since I was about 7years old listening to Capital 604 in Durban on the AM frequency. So I got into community radio first with Chat Radio, an in house radio station at the Chatsworth Centre. I then moved to Redcap Radio which is the largest retail radio station in the country and I eventually got into East Coast Radio which was my dream for many years. I really love radio. From the first time I approached East Coast Radio till the time I got my first show took about 10 years which is a really long time. It was worth every moment of the wait and if you want something bad enough you never give up...ever.


I started doing the late night shows like 12-3am, 3-6am and even 12-6 am but every radio presenter has to do those timeslots. There is a very strong connection with listeners during the night as they are focused on what you are saying and doing. During the day a lot people that are listening are doing so while they are preoccupied with something else.  I now have 2 shows on the weekends, Saturday and Sundays 5-9pm. I have done almost all the other timeslots on air as a fill-in for other jocks that have taken days off or leave so I know exactly what it's like doing most shows on air.

I have now started the next step in my DJ journey by producing and making my own music using FL Studio and playing the keyboard. I love doing this as well. I use my almost 20 years experience being a DJ, listening and dancing to so much music to make the stuff that I produce.

I also MC a lot of events and functions and I get asked to play at many nightclubs in and around KZN. I have also been doing a lot of voice overs using the different accents that I can do for adverts on TV and radio.

I also love teaching youngsters and almost anyone who has an interest in becoming a DJ. It is amazing how the technology has changed over the years with being a DJ. I started out playing vinyls or records on Technics SL1200 turntables until the CD era. Then it was Pioneer CDJ CD players that took over mainly because of the ease of getting the music and the cost too. And then the software came about and at first I swore I would never use DJ software but now with the best of both worlds I use a Traktor controller with software. It is really awesome and allows the DJ to be so much more creative and give the people listening or dancing more to do dance and listen to.

Personally I think a good DJ has to be an all rounder not just stick to one aspect of being a DJ, He must empower himself and acquire all the skills that goes with the territory and all of it can be learnt without any natural talent or skill. A good DJ is also always looking for ways to improve and reinvent himself.

Even though I loved the music and being a DJ so much I made sure that I studied and worked hard over many years at my other career. Unfortunately in South Africa it is difficult to be rich and successful by just being a DJ. We should also empowered ourselves in as many different fields as possible so we don't put all our eggs in one basket and we always have things to fall back on. I always say that education and working hard is the key to success. Many years later I now enjoy the best of both worlds being a Manager at a large international company by day Monday to Friday and a radio presenter, dj, mc, music producer and more on the weekends.

I love the music and I love being a DJ. I will always be a DJ even when I'm 90 years old, even if it's just in my heart.