Your favorite granny on the 1’s & 2’s…
Youff caught up with Dbn gogo, she let’s us in her colorful world as she talks on life lessons, career and her latest drop!
by Nontando Mhlongo
“I hope you can hear me, my voice is a bit gone… I was out yesterday”
says amapiano DJ sensation, Mandisa Radebe famously known as Dbn Gogo, pronounced De-ben, as she sets the mood for the conversation.
Q: where do you go when you go missing for a week?
A: “oh I’m working or on the couch, there’s just no rush.”
She first came into the game three years ago and found home on the decks. Being a DJ is her calling as she had a friend show her the ropes; she took it from there and honed her talent by herself. “I used to play at Stones in Melville, like before people would come in I would be there between 7 to 9pm, my friend would just show me what to do and then just leave me.” On the 27th of February 2017, DBN Gogo landed her first official gig, and the sky was the limit from then on. Soon enough she graced the decks across the country at the best parties becoming everyone’s favourite granny. Her career highlight was being a guest DJ on the Lockdown House party on Channel O, “… before lockdown Afropunk was definitely my highlight, but I think just manoeuvring in such a weird time and a pandemic, Lockdown house party really kind of lifted myself and my brand in a way I wouldn’t have imagined.” Music being her passion, it is not often that one not only follows but lives out their own destiny. If DBN Gogo had not been a DJ, she probably would be? “I mean… I don’t want to say lawyer because that’s what I’m studying but u don’t think that’s what I would be doing…there was no plan B, It’s crazy right?” Even though she’s still pursuing her studies in law, the music has her heart.
Q: There’s always this debate on talent versus school. What are your sentiments based on that, do you think a person can make it solely on talent and skills?
“I don’t think I was ever ready for this pandemic”
A: “Let me tell you now, you really can. But I can say now that during this pandemic, there were so many moments I was just like, what else can I do ti generate money? Obviously even jobs are scarce but if I did have a degree maybe it would have been easier to find another alternative. I don’t think I was ever ready for this pandemic. I’ve been lucky to still be able to work even though I wasn’t paid as much as I used too. I can’t imagine what other people may be going through, people who aren’t getting money at all.”
“I just go about my business, I work, the rest will see for itself. ”
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She places emphasis to young girls who aspire to be just like her to always work on their crafts, knock on doors and practise to master their talent. The industry isn’t fair to women as it is to men. “Play, ask anyone, anywhere to play. Just get your practise in and really work on your craft because the moment you mess up they’re gonna down rate you. Men get away with murder but we have to be perfect. We need to be better than them at what we do.”
Q: would you then say men have better opportunity even in your industry and has that affected you in any way?
A:”100%, men have it easier in every industry, every single industry! How has it affected me? I don’t let things like that affect me. I just go about my business, I work, the rest will see for itself. In terms of real things, I can say are different… the pay 100% different, the respect. People will just under rate you because you’re a woman. So every time you have to prove yourself, it’s like sure you wouldn’t mind, but I wish I didn’t have too.”
“People will just under rate you because you’re a woman”
-DBN GOGO
Being a star herself, she has had her star struck moments where she met A lister’s like herself. “I’ve met Bill Clinton, Nelson Mandela, Drake, yeah hundred percent. Brenda Lebo, all the people in South Africa that you know.” Her unique sense of style, colourful hairstyles and fashion certainly brought tremendous hype around her brand, but Dbn Gogo still prefers comfortable athleisure outfits, the colour black and hates heels.
Q:how are you able to keep your private life apart from your work life?
A: “I just don’t speak on certain things, not everyone needs to know everything. People have a tendency of wanting to take away from people who are well known. You need to find that balance otherwise you won’t have anything left for yourself”
Thokoza Cafe, a co-produced EP dropped by DBN Gogo and Dinoh. Mandisa’s most proudest offering to the music industry. “yooh, that was such a passion project! Dinoh hit me up, so I was like, let’s come together and see what happens.” After producing two songs from their first session, Dbn Gogo ran with the opportunity and figured they should drop a joint project together. Amid the pandemic, Mandisa wanted to make sure she dropped something short and sweet. With French Kiss, iVibe, and iPlan being one of her favorite tracks, bring a new element such as a French vocalist on one of the tracks has elevated the game.
Q: what would you say to your future self in the next five to ten years?
A: “giiirrrlll wow… (chuckles), I would say wow, yoh you did it. It wasn’t easy, you stuck it through, you’ve accomplished so much. You’re r living your wildest dreams. You are your ancestors wildest dreams.”
Solely betting on herself all the time, Dbn Gogo has learned to rely on herself in order for her to succeed.
Q: what is the biggest life lesson you will never forget?
A:“you have to trust and believe in your self. You can not expect people to wake up and do that for you. You have to manifest and work towards your dreams. Only you can bring your success.”