Wentworth DJ keeps people dancing to his beat
Devin Manuel's passion for music and attention to detail creates the perfect combo for this sound magician who has a bright future ahead of him.
KNOWN for getting people on their feet as soon as he hits the decks is Wentworth born and bred DJ and producer, Devin Manuel, better known as DJ Splash.
The talented young man has come a long way before becoming the talented DJ he is today, when he used to play his music from his computer, his father’s amplifier and two very old speakers. His very first gig was at his cousin’s engagement party. “At the time, I had no intention of taking up deejaying as a profession. However, seeing people having a good time with the music I played gave me the most amazing feeling, knowing that I could make them happy by playing what they wanted to hear and putting them in a good mood. I still feel the same today,” he said speaking of his humble beginnings. He has never looked back since.
His Wentworth upbringing under the love and guidance of his parents and supportive friendships have played a vital role in ensuring that he has the strong values he needs to see him through life and the entertainment industry.
His passion for music and attention to detail creates the perfect combo for this sound magician who has a bright future ahead of him. “My passion for music is what keeps me going no matter the physical or emotional state, it’s always the one thing that makes me feel whole and I know I can turn too. I don’t have a specific genre I concentrate on when it comes to producing or deejaying. With producing ideas, it can come from any type of genre to make something special, I let the music take me where I need to be and that goes for DJ side of things as well. I don’t restrict myself to one genre because different music brings distinct types of energy for all guest or events. For example, if I’m playing for a corporate event chances are there will be a mixed crowd, so I have to be ready to play different types of genre’s to ensure everyone has a good time,” he said.
Asked which he would pick if he had to choose, Devin said that he would have to go with deejaying. “It’s what makes me happy and I’m most comfortable with it. I have been deejaying for nine years and producing for three years. I still have a lot more to learn about producing but I love both professions and look forward to creating a career out of them. My biggest career highlight so far was playing for the Natal Sharks staff party. It was an amazing privilege to meet the players and to be able to give them a good time. My second highlight was being the producer behind the beat of Sir Linho’s track, I Know You Lu’mme. It was a sensational experience. I’m still in shock that I was the guy who produced the beat and look forward to doing many more.”
As with any artist, challenges are inevitable on the journey to success, and for Devin it has been winning over the support from his community. “People in the community may know me but when it comes to support it can be a challenge in terms of reaching out for aid to those who can assist in my growth and development,” he said. Nonetheless this has not deterred him, nor has the Covid-19 lockdown.
“The lockdown has been a good and a bad experience for me. Good in the sense that I get to work on new beats, ideas and steps to making me a better producer. Bad in the sense that deejaying has been restricted. Hence my source of income has been put on pause but with the support from my family we will get through the lockdown together,” he said.
The father of one aspires to be recognised as one of South Africa’s finest producers and DJs. “I want to be a resident DJ on the radio, have a proper studio, my own record label and make music with talented up and coming artists in and around my community.
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