Passion for music drives TUT student

Nothing is as refreshing as seeing a young person pushing their passion with all that they have. You know a lot of successful DJs and award winning artists will tell you that they are where they are because their dreams started in a small room they used to record their music or in a varsity residence.

23 year Mthokozisi Mbokozo known as MthoDaDJ who studies Business Communication at the Tshwane University of Technology said that he fell in love with music when he was doing his grade 12 five years ago at Bonginhlanhla Senior Secondary School. “I knew nothing about music but I watched videos on how to produce music,” he said.

Mbokodo grew up in Nelspruit, Kadaantji. He said that he was a very active kid who used to participate in everything at school and would perform in every event. Growing up was not sweet all for him coming from a disadvantaged background. “I remember that I once had to work part-time jobs just so I could be able to buy myself a computer to do my music,” said Mbokodo.

What was challenging for him when starting music is that people were not impressed with his music, he was criticised a lot and with others saying he will not make it, “Some were saying that the industry is tough I used all the negatives to my advantage,” he said. He continued to say that it is hard for him to get promotions and a record deal as an artist. Mbokodo currently uses a bedroom studio to record his music. I asked him how he balances his music and studies and he said that his studies come first and music follows as a hobby.

He said that he has always wanted to do music, and he studying BC because he loves being in an advertising agency. I asked him why he is not studying sound engineering, and he said: “I love music but I do not want to depend on it alone, I wanted something I could fall back on.” Mbokodo said that his parents were sceptical about him doing music, “They were not really supportive because they wanted me to focus on my education and my hobbies should follow. “He however said that they are now supportive.

This bubbly and energetic young DJ has a total of five songs to his name, he said that it is too early for him to be talking about an album but he wishes to have one. He draws his inspiration from the legendary DJ cleo. Mbokodo’s dream is to see himself as a successful DJ and producing for different music genres.

Fun facts

·         Favourite song: Mobi Dixon ft Beritta- Ezizweni

·         Celebrity crush: Minnie Dlamini

·         Star sign: Gemini

·         Dream car: Ford focus St

·         Embarrassing moment: When I failed my first Public Relations test