DJ Fresh: 35 albums later and still going strong
"Pick your passion and turn it into a career, whatever the title is, you have to respect it and the people you work with"
POLOKWANE – This is advice from Thato “DJ Fresh” Sikwane, who says it is the little things you do that will make your career prosper and that is how he managed to sustain his successful career for so many years.
The internationally acclaimed DJ says artists have to constantly reinvent themselves to remain relevant in the industry.
“I started DJing at the age of 13, but never thought it would turn into a career. I loved music so the experience was just for fun.” He says at the age of 17 he managed to score his first professional gig for which he was paid.
“That’s when I realised that I can make a career of, and earn a good living, playing music,” he says.
Fresh says soon after his first gig, his name started to spread and he was constantly booked to play at parties and events. He moved to Johannesburg in 1994 to study media at Boston Media House and focus more on his music career.
I am a DJ before a house music DJ, I play what people want to hear.
He says he has released 35 albums thus far and wants to keep them coming. Asked what he likes the most about being a DJ, he says: “witnessing the relationship between music and people, how it transforms people’s moods. It feels like God trusted me with his people, that he gave me the power to make them happy”.
Jack of all trades
The 43-year-old is not only into music, he is also a radio and TV personality, producer and entrepreneur. He started his radio career at YFM in 1997.
“The people I was speaking to then are all grown up now, I’m probably speaking with their children today,” he laughs. He says that is why he is still empowering himself by learning.
He later joined 5FM and has been there for the past 10 years and is currently presenting the Freshest Fresh show weekdays between 05:00 and 08:00.
It’s a balancing act
The family man admits that it’s not always easy to juggle his career and family life but it’s not impossible either.
He says it’s about setting priorities and allocating time for everything that matters in your life. “I love spending time indoors with my family and I enjoy playing games with my kids.”
Fresh believes in giving back to the community and helping to build a better country.
“The Fresh Foundation in collaboration with Boston Media House, has offered bursaries to more than 1 500 individuals over the past 16 years.”
He says education is the best way to invest in your career.
More facts about DJ Fresh:
• He used to play baseball.
• He listens to the radio as soon as he wakes up.
• His ideal holiday destination is a small, deserted island with no cell phones or other distractions.
• He can’t dance.
• He collaborated with Euphonik as F.eU and they have released two albums together.
• His latest album is Volume 8.
