Get to know Thembisa’s loved DJ: Thabithabs
She has played at popular events and platforms including Channel O, the Smirnoff 1818 DJ competition, Miami Music Conference and more.
Nompumelelo Thabisile Buthelezi (33) is a South African female DJ known as Thabithabs.
ALSO READ: Local DJ aims to pursue big goals
She was born and raised in Thembisa. She moved to KZN and then returned to Gauteng to further her studies.
She started primary school at Blue Train Private School and St Gemma’s School, then attended high school at a boarding school called Dlangezwa High in KZN.
In 2008 she completed her degree in ceramic design and then later undertook events management as an extra-curricular activity at the University of Johannesburg. In 2015 she studied music production at Boston Media House.
Thabisile began her career as a DJ in 2009 where she learned her deejaying skills from other DJs in the township and the UJ DJ society.
ALSO READ: Same Love Entertainment to host second annual pride festival
She started off as a dancer then her love for dancing inspired her to become a DJ.
“I have transitioned from Afro, tech, soulful, house, Gqom and currently Amapiano. I believe I am a dance DJ, meaning I move with a genre that is trending’’ said Thabisile.
As a female DJ Thabisile faces several challenges, including not having access to more opportunities and having to prove herself in the male-dominated industry.
“These are the things that keep me going and wanting to make the industry a better place for the next generation.
“I love how challenging and evolving entertainment is and the power a DJ possesses at events, like the ability to move people through music,” she said.
She said she loves how the entertainment space is also becoming a personality contest which now gives young people better role models.
ALSO READ: Father of the late Thembisa jazz artist gifted with musical equipment
Thabisile doesn’t only entertain South Africans and she has also performed in Swaziland, Zimbabwe, Malawi, Miami, UK and, later this year, she will be playing in Dubai and Ireland.
Due to her hard work and determination as DJ, she has played at popular events and platforms including Channel O, the Smirnoff 1818 DJ competition, Miami Music Conference and more.
She also hosts her one-woman show called Odd Experience.
“Black Coffee is my role model. His achievements make me feel my dreams are valid and I feel I could reach better heights as he made it.”
In the future, she sees herself doing international tours, training more female DJs and hosting events.
She advised young people to believe in their dreams and trust their “dopeness” and not let anyone discourage them.
ALSO READ: Musical talent nurtured in Thembisa
“Young people should always remember to speak positively about themselves. Your best cheerleader is you,” she said.
Thabisile recently dropped an album called Face to Face with My Alter Ego, which is a fusion of Afro and amapiano. It is a project of 13 tracks and features a variety of artists including Black Motion.
She said she is working on other projects, She will be launching her next single titled Casablanca.
Also follow us on:
