DBN GoGo: Worldwide impact with Amapiano
Feature by Tapiwa Mugabe
Kade Magazine sat with DBN Gogo, real name Mandisa Radebe after a photoshoot in Manchester, UK and this is what the humble, hard working and talented DJ had to say for herself regarding her rise to prominence as an international DJ not just on the Amapiano scene but as a House DJ.
Coming up from the underground music scene in South Africa to being a household name has almost happened in one breathe for the gorgeous and soulful DBN Gogo who reminds us she’s everyone’s Gogo, a word meaning grandmother. She embodies a loving and welcoming spirit in her beautiful warm laugh which fills the room with the warmth of a loving and caring older mother, who’s a mother and a friend to everybody. For DBN Gogo, she has made it on her own terms, carving out her own lane in an industry that is fiercely competitive. South Africa’s music and Dj’ing scene is a cosmos of upcoming and household names that are constantly pushing creativity to its limits by producing some of the most talented artists whose craft is recognised globally for its quality and richness.
For DBN Gogo, her rise to prominence has been as significant as the impact of Amapiano worldwide. She’s become a sensation in her own right even during the chaos of the Covid-19 pandemic. She has featured on lists and toured and sits with Kade Magazine on the back of a successful run of shows in the UK.
She giggles, a playful laugh that hides her considered manner. She means business even as she playfully reminds us that as everybody’s Gogo, she wants to see everybody from a human spirit. She wants to see everyone as she carries herself, meaning to see others as human beings and to meet everybody from that place of beautiful humility.
“I keep the human element alive in my work and the way I carry myself.”
Her realness speaks loudly and boldly, testifying to the character of a woman who is not only on the cusp of embodying her ideas and fearlessly demanding space to bloom and become a leader in the Amapiano scene. She already boasts a catalogue with Unlimited Soul, her recent Breakthrough EP adding to the list of gems that people across the diaspora vibe to.
Her work ethic is something she strongly testifies to telling us how any anxieties she had pre-lockdown and post-lock down have been alleviated by a strong work ethic backed up by her talent. She believes in herself and her star and it shows in the way her talent shines not only for herself but also by how she makes room for others.
Despite the constraints imposed by Covid-19, DBN Gogo has become a sensation both at home and abroad and while it is a level of engagement, she says she was not prepared for, the success of her projects does not faze her. She testifies to a beautiful balance in how she uses social media for engagement purposes and how she uses it to elevate her music by using it for the right purposes. She strongly advises young artists to stay in school even as you carve out your own lane and stresses the importance of believing in yourself and sticking to your gifts and talents while nurturing them to grow.
DBN Gogo, is a queen who knows the weight of her crown and she wears it beautifully.
