Fans of amapiano artist Xolani Japhta Maziya, also known as Squash DJ, are singing and dancing along to his latest album, The Legend.
This club DJ, record producer, songwriter, vocalist and CEO of Eden Souls Entertainment said he had poured his heart into creating this album, and that he hoped it would be enjoyed by everyone.
“I expressed my journey and feelings. The songs cater to young and old,” Maziya explained. According to him, his favourite track on this album it is “Ngwenya Ngyabuya”. “The song talks about an energetic young person who has decided to leave home to go look for greener pastures. He left because he wanted to change his current situation and change things at home for the better.”
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Squash DJ started his music journey in 2012 after completing matric. “While waiting for my bursary applications to be approved, I kept myself busy by producing music. My role model is Black Coffee, because he makes his own music and markets it himself. He is doing well, too, and inspires me to work harder.”
He later obtained a bursary and studied for an education degree.
Before he ventured into amapiano, he used to produce hip-hop. “I was a member of a group called Fire Birds. In 2015, I decided to go solo. I released a number of singles, but never received any recognition. In 2018, I switched to amapiano, and that is when I started to get noticed and booked for various events.”
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Squash DJ said this year has been a busy one for him so far. “I have a number of radio airplays and interviews, in stations such as Nkomazi FM, Ligwalagwala FM and RISE fm. My songs got first place on Nkomazi FM’s Local Top 20 charts five times, and it was different tracks. My songs were played on Big Brother Mzansi and Big Brother Titans as background music.”
According to Maziya, his dreams include becoming one of the most well-known artists in the world. “I want to inspire others and educate young people while sending a message through my music.”
Squash DJ said his fans can expect a new single to be released on June 23. His music is available on all digital platforms.
