DJ ‘So Sick’ not sick
‘SO Sick’ is a name that is sometimes misunderstood but I think the mystery or question marks surrounding the name makes people interpret it the way they want therefore making it relevant to them,” admits Steven Mwanda N’cube aka DJ So Sick, the Sun FM award winning radio personality based in Ndola.
This is an effort to explain his stage name which he believes has been misinterpreted but has a deeper meaning and connection to his life.
“My older sister died from HIV/AIDS in 2003 and it hit me pretty hard especially that even on her death bed she was not willing to admit to everyone what was really going on with her. This struck a nerve deep inside me and I realized how stigma is killing so many people in society. This gave birth to “So Sick”, the cool, outspoken guy that is telling you that it’s alright if you’re not well and it’s been the core of the personality ever since,” he emphasises.
“So Sick” is not only a radio personality but also a hip hop artiste, poet, actor, producer and voiceover artiste. In all these mediums, he ensures his name and conduct reflects an art that exudes confidence which is rarely seen or heard in modern day Zambian media.
His hip hop lyrics are poetic and mind engaging mostly talking about his childhood and his struggles with maintaining a good head on ones’ shoulders.
“I have been doing music for a while now but my recording career started in 2004 with hip hop that the Copperbelt had never heard before, influencing a lot of the hip hop artistes that we have in the mainstream to date,” he says.
“I released a single called “kukalale” with my longtime friend Mutale Mulenga in 2009 which stayed at number one for 10 weeks and spanned a new sound in hip hop in Zambia which was the fusion of Kalindula and hip hop. This sound made hip hop in our country relatable and more widely accepted by different demographics”
He has further taken his radio persona as raw and honest, and one that is not afraid to laugh at himself by sharing parts of his life that most people would deem private and embarrassing.
“My first radio stint came almost by accident as I heard of a radio station opening on the Copperbelt and a longtime family friend thought I should give a shot. Little did I know it would become my passion. Flava FM was born and I was privileged enough to be trained by a seasoned radio and club DJ Chishala Chitoshi popularly known at Geshgroove. He instilled professionalism and his vast experience will forever be the reason why I am who am in this craft,” adds N’cube.
According to him, this is what makes that audience that has low self-esteem issues, trust and relate with him. His wit and intelligence and energetic execution of his craft is both engaging unpredictable and spontaneous in the most entertaining way.
Now working at Sun FM, So Sick has done many popular radio shows over the years and finally won an award for Sun Up Breakfast Show with Kayula Chisanga in the Northern region and best Talk Show for the ‘Community watch’ at the Zambia radio Awards(ZARA) under the Sun FM umbrella.
“I am currently nurturing former street kids in the art of rap while spearheading their education with the Sun FM platform. I have also been passing on some of my experience radio wise to the new crop of presenters while working on establishing a media company with Taurai Mckenzie. Have also been in the studio working on my first album despite being in the industry for such a long time,” he says.