DJ Gami: a Giyani deejay who is on the move
FEW people outside Zava, N'wamarhanga village in Giyani know who Hlayisani Malungani is, but mention the name DJ Gami or Gami Swagga and there will be a flicker of recognition.
LIMPOPO – FEW people outside Zava, N’wamarhanga village in Giyani know who Hlayisani Malungani is, but mention the name DJ Gami or Gami Swagga and there will be a flicker of recognition.
When Gami steps into the room, his unique style turns heads; a mixture of ethnic, yet contemporary funky wear. He constantly refers to himself as a ‘village boy’, however, this talented hitmaker is most definitely not wet behind the ears.
With a soft-spoken, somewhat shy personality, Gami has impressive accolades and connections within the music industry. His skills and experience make him the go-to guy in the local music industry.
Gami was fortunate enough to have been exposed to the music industry as a child, with his father, Elia Malungana, being a manager and promoter of the 1980’s group, Colombo. The band later disbanded in the 1990’s, but during those years, would practise at Gami’s home.
Little Gami would watch and listen attentively, and would pick up the instruments after practise and fiddle around with them. His sister, Portia, was the first person to notice his talent, and she would encourage him to pursue it. Pursue it is what he did, forming his first band of drummers with other children in the neighbourhood between the ages of seven and 10 years, using discarded powdered milk tins as their first drums.
This first band, called Ximangela Boys, would prove to be popular, the streets being their first stage. Wherever the band performed, the crowd would gather.
By the time Gami reached gr. 9, his father bought him his first keyboard. Word soon got around that a hot young producer was in town, resulting in people near and far coming to buy beats from him. Though he would have been quite happy accepting a ‘thank you’ as payment, the grateful musicians insisted on paying him. Gami’s parents would have chosen for him to become a doctor or lawyer, but when he convinced them that music was his passion, they supported him fully.
“I studied sound engineering for two years, combining my natural talent with professional training, which I believe is crucial, and that other aspiring musicians should do the same,” says Gami.
One of his songs was nominated for best Xitsonga house in 2012 during the Munghana Lonene FM Xitsonga Music Awards. Since then, Gami has received many more nominations for songs such as Tlevhu featuring vocalist Aretha Eric and co-produced with DJ Nascent in 2013 and Xibhekarani featuring Masesi in 2014.
