BY day, Merebank’s 21-year-old Thiara Naidoo spends her time in the lecture room studying cases and the constitution; but when night falls, she turns into rising star DJ Law-T with her booming sets and electrifying stage presence. She is determined to carve her own spot in KZN’s music scene, all while completing her final year of an LLB degree at UKZN.

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Thiara said she adopted the stage name because it represented the duality of her journey. For DJ Law-T, the combination of legal aspirations with the love of an artistic life served both as self-reminder and a statement to others that you do not need to sacrifice one dream for another.

The start of the journey

Becoming a DJ was not something that she had always contemplated. “I grew up surrounded by music at family gatherings and community events, always fascinated by how one song could shift an entire atmosphere,” she said. Curiosity drove her to experiment in mixing tracks as a hobby; this quiet practise soon evolved into her playing her first live set.

“The thrill of watching a crowd move to music I was creating made me realise I wanted to pursue this seriously,” she said. What started as a hobby soon became a passion project and part-time profession that not only satisfies her creative urges but also supports her ambitious academic plans.

The challenges

Coming into the industry as a young Indian woman came with its own set of challenges but was also greatly rewarding. Thiara said she often faced cultural expectations and perceptions that didn’t traditionally encourage women to take up space in nightlife and entertainment.

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“Being a female DJ, more so an Indian female DJ, has been just as challenging as it has been incredibly rewarding. I have worked hard to show that talent has no gender or cultural limitation. Representation matters and when someone sees a person like me breaking barriers, it makes the impossible feel possible,” she said.

Thiara said that her identity serves as her greatest motivation. She is proud of her heritage and credits her faith for anchoring her. “My journey has taught me to trust the path God placed me on. Whenever negativity or setbacks arise, I remind myself that I am exactly where I’m meant to be,” she said.

Inspiration

Musically, Thiara draws influence from names like DJ Tira, Tyler ICU and Kabza De Small, citing them as major forces that have shaped South Africa’s vibrant soundscape.

“However, my biggest influences are the people around me, the fans who dance to my sets, the mentors who have guided me and the communities that continue to support me. Every person and every performance influences my growth and reminds me why I started,” she said.

A look into the future

Thiara wants to perform throughout South Africa and one day on international stages. More than anything, she wants to be a source of encouragement to young dreamers.

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“I want to uplift the youth and create opportunities for others. My journey showed me the power of being given a chance, I want to be able to help someone else experience what I was able to,” she said.

Thiara added that if she could leave one piece of information to inspire the next generation it would be to stay true to your path.

“Your path does not have to look like someone else’s. Be true to yourself, put in the effort and trust. With passion, perseverance and faith in God, you can achieve anything your heart desires,” she said.

Thiara’s quest for fame and success is a reminder that one’s ambition needs not mean choosing one dream over another, sometimes you get to pursue them both and write your own rhythm along the way.

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