13-year-old DJ making waves
SANDTON - Resident Kino O'Shea has shown that living your dream is possible, even if others appear to stand head and shoulders above you.
As DJ Kino, he has performed alongside DJs twice his size, but this hasn’t stopped his enthusiasm or shaken his focus from his big dream, to own his own record label.
Kino, now 13 years old, was just 11 when his dream came true. At nine years old he started playing around with music, mixing his own music using computer programmes. In 2011, his wish was to become a DJ and to own his own DJ equipment. His mother Samantha wrote to the 94.7 Highveld Stereo Christmas Wish initiative hoping they would make his dream come true. After listening to a mix by Kino, the radio station, together with Soul Candi music, offered him a DJ course scholarship and supplied him with his ‘dreamed-of’ music equipment.
Since completing the course, his success as a DJ has skyrocketed. E-TV Youth Show allowed him to showcase his talent and he has also been on 5FM, and 3Talk with Noeleen. He continues to DJ at high profile events. He might be the shortest DJ in the house, but his dreams still reach sky high.
“I like being a DJ,” he told the Chronicle. “It feels good to see people dance to what you are playing. Music brings people from different backgrounds together, and a lot of young people find common ground in music.”
He speaks of the moment he was first granted his wish. “Although I was in shock, I remember most of what was said that morning – everyone screaming at me to answer the phone is something I will never forget.”
Despite his success, at heart Kino is just an ordinary kid who loves TV games, sports and hanging around with his friends.
“The key to success is commitment, compassion and perseverance, Just believe in your dreams, try to be the best in what you do, and don’t let anyone get you down. “Don’t ever give up, or let someone else tell you, it’s not possible.”
Details: @KinoOshea1 or lincoln@absamail.co.za
