The Sunday News
Peter Matika, Senior Life Reporter
TWO years ago the world was astounded by the news of an extraordinary three-year-old DJ from South Africa.
The phenomenal toddler went on to win R500 000 in the South Africa Has Got Talent show for being the world’s youngest DJ and portraying exquisite talent.
Oratilwe Hlongwane, who is also known as DJ Arch Junior was first discovered by social media users when his family started posting videos of the toddler showing off his talent on a mixing deck in 2015.
Well, that’s a South African story. Zimbabwe has just discovered its own young and quite talented young DJ, although not as young as his South African counterpart.
Meet DJ Emmanuel, who happens to be one of Zimbabwe’s hottest DJs and has a knack for driving his audiences crazy with his beats. Born Emmanuel Vusumuzi Ncube, DJ Emmanuel is a Grade 7 student at Milton Junior and recently turned 12.
He spoke to Sunday Life about his talent and how he was discovered.
“I would watch my uncle — Nkosiyazi ‘Records De Rango’ Moyo DJ using the virtual DJ programme on his laptop. Whenever he would leave the house I would then “borrow” it and practice how to play,” he said.
The young DJ recalls falling in love with music at quite a young age and says he mostly mixes House, Zim dancehall, hip-hop and African pop music.
“I really love music and have composed five of my own beats. I mostly play at home though. I was discovered at the StarBrite auditions, after I signed up to try out. It was all through my uncle though,” he said.
DJ Emmanuel mentioned that while he went for the first auditions, he did so without his mother’s knowledge and that on his first try out he was successful that he earned the last golden buzzer of the competition, which meant he could advance to the next round.
“My mother was not aware until I had to go for the second round. My uncle called my mother and told her that I was required to attend and that is when it all started to fall into place until I made it to the finale, where I however landed, 5th position,” said DJ Emmanuel.
His Mother — Pretty Ncube said his talent had generated so much interest on him and he even landed and interview on Skyz Metro FM’s Breakfast show with Babongile Sikhonjwa.
“So far there are many people that are requesting and want to try him out for parties. As his parents we don’t have a problem with him being infatuated with being a DJ. Our wish is to see him progress both academically and as a DJ as well,” said Ncube.
She added that they were supportive to the development of his talent.
“We have even bought him a controller for him to practice on. He learnt from his uncle and now practices on his own,” said Ncube.
DJ Emmanuel has since created a Facebook page for his fans, which is fast growing popular.
“We opened a Facebook page for him and uploaded a video of him doing his thing. The video has since accumulated 2 800 views and likes so far,” said Ncube.
She noted that DJ Emmanuel was a rather shy boy but since discovering his talent he has left his “shell,” said Ncube.
Since his discovery, DJ Emmanuel is ready to take his own place in the world of electronic music.
@peterkmatika
