Amapiano is more than a genre of music – it is influencing style and dance, and making an impact on South Africa’s music industry.
At the heart of amapiano is Mandisa Radebe who is known as DBN Gogo, the South African star producer and DJ who has taken the world by storm with this genre.
DBN Gogo sat down for an exclusive interview with BONA and touched on what it is like to be a female DJ in a male-dominated industry, saying, “It comes with a lot of responsibilities. When I came onto the scene, there weren’t a lot of younger women DJs. Everyone was still a bit more underground. We only had our really famous ones like DJ Zinhle, DJ Cndo and Lady Lea.”
The amapiano star continued, “There wasn’t an era for the young and up-and-coming. I didn’t realise it until I saw more women coming onto the scene and gaining the confidence to push themselves to do it because this industry is quite male-dominated.”
The star also touched on the resistance and scepticism she faced from male peers: “Men will really make you feel like you’re not worthy of doing something because they say so.” Despite the pushback, she found support from male DJ friends in Pretoria, highlighting the importance of solidarity in breaking down barriers.
Although vocal about the challenges women encounter in the industry, DBN Gogo remains optimistic about the future, noting the increasing visibility and resilience of female DJs. “As much as our industry has grown, there’s always that pushback and doubt they try to instil in you. They ask questions about women. Can she mix? Is she just selling sex? I just don’t get it. We are never given the same opportunities or the same grace as men, but I love that we are moving forward, and women are doing it regardless of what people say.”
Also see: Internet moved by Big Brother stars’ black tax conversation
