Music is a very big part of our lives. It feeds our soul, Frees our minds. Sees us through bad times and helps us build memories. It is said to be a universal language that brings the world together. Isn’t it ironic that Katlego Nkoadi decided to call himself “DJ Dijo” because he feeds us this music?
DJ Dijo is a hip hop DJ from Ga-Rankuwa who is slowly becoming a force to be reckoned with. He has always had the love for music from his childhood days. He did not pursue it from the onset but later practiced the craft and got into it. Starting off as a house DJ, DJ Dijo found himself doing hip hop after a friend dared him to try it and he says because he loves a good challenge, he went for it and as they say, the rest is history. The journey for him like many others has not been easy, but a rollercoaster ride but it was experiences that brought him to where he is now. Learning how to be confident and interact with the crowd were some of the lessons I learned.
DJ Dijo credits his growth to popular entertainment spot “T S Leisure” in zone 6. Management gave him a platform with their regular hip hop night’s movement and that helped him gain exposure and a solid crowd following.
Some days are not the same as others. While some people show you major love and support, some people who do not value the work that I do sometimes get me discouraged. Dijo also held an office job on the side because we know, when you are on the hustle, on the come up things turn to be hard for a while more so with the competition that is out there. He says DJying alone is not enough.
Although he did not want to tell how he manages to stay on top of his game jokingly saying “ke sphiri sa kreke” he says staying on top of your game has a lot to do with experience and your journey and that gives you priceless lessons. He has learned to read the crowd and knows what he has to play for them.
He is working on expanding his market and conquering the northern Pretoria townships, on building relations with other parts and not have limits or bind himself only to Ga-Rankuwa. It’s not an easy task but with the right contacts he plans to go broader.
Planning for a set is all about practice and having a good ear for music. In his spare time he works hard at perfecting his craft by experimenting with crazy mixes for different age groups. He has become in his element with DJying that he does not go to out to an event with a prepared playlist because to him it’s all about the crowd. He arrives at a venue then looks at the crowd and for him that dictates what kind of set he will play.
His last words to an aspiring DJ are that “it’s not about you, once you hit the decks. Play for the people. That is how I do it and also what worked yesterday might not work all the time. Vary your playlist”
TheNASHmag Ed.
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