Pioneering an era

DJ and producer Mandisa Radebe, popularly known as DBN Gogo, has cemented herself as an influential figure on the SA music scene. The ‘Khuza Gogo’ hitmaker is at the peak of her career and has helped shape the amapiano wave.

- THOBEKA PHANYEKO

When DBN Gogo’s single ‘Dakiwe’ (with Lady Du) sparked a viral challenge across all social media platforms this year, she instantly solidified her presence in the entertainment industry. Her music has taken on a unique form, and her hit songs feature on playlists across the country, and as a DJ, she dominates the charts.

Of her long-term relationship with ampiano, she says, “When I was growing up in Pretoria, we’d listen to bacardi, rekere and broken beat. Amapanio comes from these sounds and is also a derivative of kwaito.” She describes it as more than a genre, “a culture, way of life and livelihood”, rooted in uniqueness and inclusivity. “People use it to survive, and it doesn’t have gatekeepers, so it’s fair game for anyone who chooses to dabble in it.” It’s the people who ultimately choose who’ll succeed “because the music speaks for itself”.