North DJ and producer switches it up

A DJ born on the outskirts of Hammanskraal popularly known as “DJ Liquidator” has been an ardent musician for over 10 years and counting.

Kgaogelo Albert Maluleka (32) is a north DJ born in a small village called Pankop who wears many hats as he produces music, co-ordinates events and owns Gabo Liquidator for hosting events.

He completed matric in 2010 and decided to take a gap year to kickstart his deejaying career even though his parents wanted him to pursue tertiary studies.

Maluleka said he decided to buy DJ equipment with his friend who is also a DJ so that they could learn how to DJ as there were few people with equipment willing to teach them.

“I then decided to look for a job to help raise funds to buy the kit because my parents were not willing to help as they didn’t agree with the idea of me becoming a DJ.

In December 2011 we were able to buy the DJ equipment as I got a job at McDonalds.”

He said they practised until they got it right and they also got help from DJ Booker T, who was a big deal in the area at the time.

When Maluleka started his first year at TUT that same year, he would “abuse the university’s Wi-Fi by downloading YouTube videos on how to DJ”.

His career breakthrough came when he made his debut appearance on Channel O in 2023 after 10 years of being in the industry.

His first appearance on TV took place while he was still grieving his deceased mother who had been one of his biggest supporters.

“I shot a music video for my song ‘Sebenza’ in 2021, and I remember my mom asking when is she going to see me on TV.

Fast forward to 2023, I’m deejaying live on TV and playing ‘Sebenza’ as my first song.

It was really emotional for me, especially because my mom passed away in 2022 and she was not there to see my big moment.”

Maluleka said that moment meant much to him as it gave him hope during that rough patch and he remembers how people in his area were so proud of him for inspiring them.

He is influenced by a couple of people in the industry. But when it comes to humanity and longevity, he said he is mostly influenced by the legendary DJ Fresh and Oskido, DJ Shimza when it comes to being innovative and hardworking and Black Coffee for breaking boundaries and taking it to the next level.

He said he always had a good support system from his mother who became his biggest fan when she realised he was serious about music and his partner of 16 years with whom he shares two daughters.

“As soon as my mom saw that I was serious with my music journey and things were starting to work out for me, she became my biggest supporter and I believe she’s looking over me and cheering for me.

Another person who has been my biggest supporter is my partner, she has been there throughout the highs and lows and even helps with my business.”

His first gig was in 2012 and he started hosting his own events from then and took part in competitions that led to great exposure and recognition in the industry.

“I started winning competitions in early 2014, and in 2015 I won a Redbull campus clash at TUT and that gave me a chance to go to Redbull studios in Cape Town.

I won the Redbull freestyle national DJ competition in 2016 and later played at Metro FM Spring Jump Off, and started getting recognition in Johannesburg, which scored me more gigs.”

In early 2017, he decided to penetrate the Durban market and played at places like Eyadini and in late 2017 he started working at Tshwane FM as a presenter as part of the music committee.

“I hosted my first biggest show, Spring Turn Up festival, which I headlined with Stilo Magolide, and Junior Taurus and from June 2018 to 2019, I was a resident DJ at Time Square casino in Menlyn.”

DJ Switch whom Maluleka met when he judged the 2015 Redbull DJ competition, is his go-to person and mentor who has helped him on his journey in the industry.

Switch said Maluleka’s excitement on the decks as an up-and-coming DJ and how he captivated the crowd is what drew his attention to him.

He wished Maluleka growth and success because “he is a genuine DJ who loves the art” and also hopes they can do some events together in Tshwane.

Maluleka dreams of being a good husband and father, taking Gabo Liquidator to new heights, releasing a lot of music, travelling the world as a DJ, and helping upcoming artists.

On August 23, DJ Liquidator is dropping a new amapiano single “2by2”, with Sisco & G Master, featuring Sbu Mainman, and Rhyma.

“I promise this project is going to change the game.”

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