LIFESTYLE LIFESTYLE From rock bottom to stardom
FROM SELLING CASSETTES AT TAXI RANKS TO BEING A HOUSE MUSIC GIANT ‘The song made things happen for me.’
Xigubu
helped him to ease into the music industry was the fact that he had very musical parents, with a dad that had a collection of Tsonga music.
“Music is my fulltime job. I’m able to provide for my family because of it, and share my skills with other upcoming talented individuals.
“I’ve groomed a lot of young people in my job. I love working with creative people, like De Mogul SA, who sings Oe batla kae. I’ve worked with that guy for the past three years,” he indicated, elaborating that giving back is what keeps him grounded and growing in the industry.
“I’m also a very mobile DJ. I travel a lot and that gives me an idea of what people want to listen to.
“I also surround myself with good producers who understand my music. I can’t take all the credit for my relevance.”
Tshabalala says though he has been in the industry for over 20 years and released a lot of music, his song with FB titled Xigubu is one that made his name recognisable.
The house music giant released his latest album, Ganyani House Grooves 10, in November last year and says so far he is more than happy with its sales.
He points out that QLove featuring Wonderboy, one of the tracks on the album, was number three on Metro FM’S Top 40.
The DJ will be hosting his annual birthday celebration tomorrow at Rubycon (formerly known as Sedibeng) and the second leg of the birthday on February 5 at Monateng Café in Vaal.
“I’m excited. It’s going to be amazing. We have an impressive line-up of different DJs and artist.
“Every year we add two or three new artists, but my fellow legendary DJs are always part of the lineup.”
“People tend to think that I’m rude and too serious, but that is only because I’m naturally shy, and only get to open up once I’m comfortable with a person.
“This perception that some hold about me makes them believe that I’m not friendly, but that is just people being judgmental,” he explains.