THE DEFENDER OF HOUSE

From his debut album Golden Power to the recent hit "Yes God", Oscar Mbo is still the king of deep house music. Apart from consistently energising groovists with his beats, he also stands out as the country's most stylish DJ - and a savvy businessman

- ANELE GEQIWE

OSCAR MBO AND I SHARE A COMMON THREAD: OUR ROOTS IN SMALL TOWNS. Beyond the evident warmth of tight-knit communities, there's a sense of unfinished business. Despite our eagerness to spread our wings and experience the wider world, an undeniable pull draws us back to our origins once we taste a bit of success. 'Even though I grew up in a music-oriented family, I had no desire to be an artist or a DJ until a friend suggested it due to my music collection. In a mining town like Kriel in Mpumalanga, you either work at the mine or become a politician, says Mbo.

His parents were into gospel music, his siblings favoured hip-hop and R&B; and as the youngest in the family, he developed a passion for Kwaito and house music. 'I was captivated by the way house DJs sampled R&B songs. That sparked my interest and shaped my music collection,' he reflects.

After he matriculated, his parents offered him a choice: they could either buy him a car, or give him R100k. "The money wasn't enough for the car I wanted, so I chose the cash to buy DJ equipment instead. My parents were aware of my decision and were very supportive, although they encouraged me to pursue a formal qualification, he says. 'Both my parents are entrepreneurs and understood the challenges of building something from the ground up, yet they took the risk of investing in my music career. I simply had to provide the receipts and meticulously track every expense. I'm forever grateful to my parents for their unwavering support.