Keeping a promise leads to huge spin-offs
DJ talent show winner is on roll with his next projects
IT WAS after the death of his brother that Linda “DJ Mshega” Hlatshwayo decided to become a DJ. “I promised him that I would pick up where he left off,” he said.
His brother, Sizwe Hlatshwayo – known as DJ Sizwe – died in 2003.
DJ Mshega recently won the title of South Africa’s favourite DJ and producer after beating nine other hopefuls in the talent search show 1’s and 2’s.
“It’s the first of its kind. There have always been DJ competitions but this was the first one to be televised,” he said. “I loved how it didn’t focus just on DJing but on the production behind it and on one’s personality. It stretched me and expanded my knowledge on what I could be.”
The 26-year-old said the experience of being on the show was challenging.
“We were tasked with writing and recording songs within a few hours, and making music is a creative thing. We were given a short period and it was high pressure, but it made me realise my capabilities,” he said.
DJ Mshega’s journey started in high school when he saw his brother working some turntables.
He went on to study audio engineering and was mentored by DJ China, who took him under his wing, working as part of his technical staff.
“That’s how I got into production. It has been nine years now,” he said.
The Masters of Spin compilation mixed by DJ Mshega was released last Monday. The CD is available in most music stores and on iTunes.
The tracks on the disc were featured on the show by fellow contestants, but the final mix was compiled by the winner.
DJ Mshega won a record- ing deal, DJing equipment and music production to the value of R250 000.
DJ Mshega is working on a new album that he hopes will be released next year along with other projects that will allow him to show off his production skills.
He said the exposure from the show had allowed him to travel the country a lot more and increase the demand for his production and DJing.
A judge on the show, Sphe “DJ Sphectacula” Ngwenya, said 1’s and 2’s was something he would do again because he was passionate about grooming new talent.