DJ Fresh (South African DJ)

Last updated

DJ Fresh
DJFresh.jpg
DJ Fresh during a photoshoot
Born
Thato Sikwane

(1972-10-15) 15 October 1972 (age 51)
Other names
  • DJ Fresh
  • The Big Dawg
Occupations
  • DJ
  • producer
  • entrepreneur
  • performer
Years active1990–present
Spouse
Thabiso Sikwane
(m. 2002;sep. 2020)
Children5
Website www.djfresh.com

Thato Sikwane (born 15 October 1972), [1] better known by his stage name DJ Fresh, is a Motswana disk jockey, producer and entrepreneur based in Johannesburg, South Africa. He is most well-known for his career on 5FM and Metro FM.

Contents

Sikwane known for hosting YFM Radio station in Johannesburg, South Africa. During the 1990s, he released a series of South African house music records, mostly named Fresh House Flava. Different volumes of the compilations were released.

Life and career

Sikwane developed interest on deejaying while he was in Botswana before relocating to South Africa, in 1994 to pursue his studies and obtained a Media Studies diploma at Johannesburg's Boston Media House.

Sikwane obtained the opportunity to work at YFM while he was completing his third year and spent 8 years at the station before moving to 5FM's popular "Drive Time" slot.

He was a radio presenter at 5FM for more than 10 years before moving to Metro FM in 2017, where the "Fresh Breakfast Show" became one of the station's most-loved slots.

In August 2019, Metro FM fired him after a listener complained to the BCCSA about the strong language he used during a live broadcast. [2] Fresh took over 947's Drive Time show, from which he was also fired after being accused of rape. [3]

He has also stepped on television shows such as Idols SA, SA's Got Talent and Tropika Island of Treasure SA as a guest judge.

In 2022, Sikwane started a record label with Zimbabwean born producer/dj, Tich Ponde who goes by the name of Shona SA which focuses mainly on Afro House music, the name of the record label is "Domboshaba Records". Sikwane and Ponde also merged to become "Domboshaba Duo" and have released an album called The Beginning which was released in October 2022 and features artists such as Rock’itMan, Nomvula SA and Audius just to name a few.

In 2023, he released his 13 tracks studio album project titled Voices of Hope 2 Album featuring other top artists like Shona SA, Gouveia, TorQue MuziQ, Starr, Bongiwe Indlovukazi, Mazet SA, Sazi Cele and Thabiso Sikwane. [4]

Personal life

In 2002, Sikwane married Thabiso Sikwane. They had three children together. In 2020, the couple separated and began the divorce process. [5] His former wife Thabiso Sikwane died on Saturday, 21 August 2024, at the age of 50. [6]

Filmography

Television
YearTitleRoleNotes
2011Tropika Island of TreasureHostSeason 3-5
2011-2012Club CultureCo-host
2014SA's Got TalentJudgeSeason 5-8

Discography

International tour

Aside from South Africa, DJ Fresh has toured in these cities worldwide:

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">5FM</span> South African radio station

5FM is a South African FM radio station forming part of the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC), South Africa's public broadcaster. 5FM follows a Top 40 music format aimed at a youth market, together with news and sports coverage.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">YFM</span> South African radio station

YFM is a "Youth" radio station in Johannesburg, South Africa. Established in 1997, the station is formatted to mostly play urban music genres such as Kwaito, Hip Hop, and R&B along with a minority of its airtime being dedicated to talk shows. As noted by the name, the station's core audience consists of young South Africans.

Dineo Ranaka is a South African radio personality, television presenter, actress, DJ, and TV producer.

Solomzi Thandubuntu Phenduka better known as Sol Phenduka is a South African radio personality, music DJ and podcaster. A Reality TV star came 5th on Big Brother Mzansi season 1

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Euphonik</span> South African DJ and music producer

Themba Mbongeni Nkosi, also known as Euphonik, is a South African DJ and music producer. He is known mostly for playing house music under the alias Euphonik.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jika</span> Song by Mi Casa

"Jika" is a song by South African house band Mi Casa. It was released as the lead single from their second studio album, Su Casa (2013), and was the most played song for 12 straight weeks on several radio stations in South Africa, including Metro FM, 5FM, YFM, Ukhozi FM, and Gagasi 99.5 FM. "Jika" peaked at number one on BBC Radio 1Xtra, a digital radio station in the United Kingdom, and topped the MTV Base Official SA Top 10 chart for the week of 31 October through 6 November 2013. Moreover, it peaked at number one on Trace TV's 30 Urban Hits.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Congratulate (song)</span> 2014 single by AKA

"Congratulate" is a song by South African rapper AKA. It was released as the third single from his second studio album, Levels (2014). The song was sent to radio stations across South Africa in March 2014, and debuted at number one on Metro FM, 5FM and YFM. Moreover, it peaked at number two on South Africa's official music chart. "Congratulate" was produced by Tazzy, a member of the funk band Muzart.

Ntokozo Mdluli, known professionally as K.O, is a South African rapper. He began his career as a member of Teargas, a hip hop group which released its debut album, K'shubile K'bovu, in 2006, followed by Wafa Wafa (2008), Dark or Blue (2009) and Num8er Num8er (2012).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">DJ Qness</span> Musical artist

Qhubani Ndlovu, also known as DJ Qness, is a Zimbabwean-born South African DJ. He is a Music executive, Songwriter and Television producer.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bonang Matheba</span> South African television personality (born 1987)

Bonang Dorothy Matheba, is a South African television presenter, radio personality, actress and social media personality. She is known for her flamboyant presenting skills and her signature voice. She presented the SABC 1 music show LIVE which built her spotlight in the industry.

Phat Joe is a South African TV and radio personality. He is the host of a late night show, The Phat Joe Show.

Thando Thabethe is a South African actress, and Radio DJ who was the presenter for the television show Thando Bares All on channel TLC and current drive time host on 947. She is Nivea's first brand ambassador in Africa. In 2019, Thando was named one of Forbes Africa's 30 Under 30. She is also the host of 947 Drive With Thando.

Themba Sekowe, known professionally as DJ Maphorisa, is a South African DJ, record producer, singer, and songwriter. As a record producer with a blend of house music, amapiano and afropop, he has worked with and has received production credits from several notable artists, including Wizkid, Sizwe Alakine, Kwesta, Uhuru, Drake, Black Coffee, Major Lazer, Runtown, C4 Pedro, TRESOR, Kabza De Small, Era Istrefi, Mpura, Young Stunna and Killer Kau. He was signed to Kalawa Jazmee Records prior to establishing his own record label, BlaqBoy Music.

Tumelo Thandokuhle Mathebula, professionally known as Tweezy, is a South African record producer and rapper from Johannesburg, South Africa.

Tlou Cleopas Monyepao, professionally known as DJ Cleo, is a South African Kwaito, House music and Hip hop producer. He was born in Gauteng. DJ Cleo has enjoyed a long and fruitful career in the South African music industry, he produced successful singles and albums for various artists before going on to produce and release his debut album "Es'khaleni" in 2004. His 2012 Single "Facebook" earned him three awards at 18th SAMA. His eleventh album Eskhaleni 11 (2019), which include single "Yile Gqom" and Yile Piano, Vol. 1 (2019).

Lesego Nkaiseng, better known as DJ Speedsta, is a South African DJ and TV personality from Johannesburg, South Africa. He is best known for his hit single, "Mayo".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Busiswa</span> South African singer and songwriter (born 1988)

Busiswa Gqulu, popularly known as Busiswa, is a South African singer-songwriter and poet. Born in Mthatha, Eastern Cape, South Africa, she gained public recognition for her feature on DJ Zinhle's song, "My Name Is", after being discovered by Kalawa Jazmee's CEO Oskido.

Nonqaba Nozuko Rwaxa, better known as Ms Cosmo, is a South African DJ, radio personality, MC, podcaster, music producer and singer. She is known for being the host of The Trap House and The Stir Up on 5FM. She was the first female DJ to join Channel O’s DJ music show, The Bassment.

Kabelo Petrus Motha is a South African DJ and record producer, popularly known as Kabza De Small. He is a major figure in the amapiano genre of house music. Aside from his solo career, Motha is a member of the Scorpion Kings. Motha gained international recognition after the release of "Umshove", in 2018.

Thabiso Sikwane was a South African radio and television personality, businesswoman and author. She was formerly the show host of the Kaya 959 radio station's morning show, "Breakfast Show".

References

  1. Kwach, Julie (19 June 2019). "DJ Fresh biography: age, wife, songs, albums, salary, net worth and latest news". briefly.co.za.
  2. "DJ Fresh Biography: Radio Award, Real Name, Age, Early Life, Wife, Family, Songs & Albums, Metro FM Controversy, Love Child, Net worth - Updated, 20 April 2020". ZAlebs.
  3. "Mzansi reacts to Primedia 'letting go' of DJ Fresh & DJ Euphonik". Timeslive.co.za. Retrieved 22 April 2021.
  4. Dlamini, Luther. "DJ Fresh SA Voices of Hope 2 Album". Slickxup. Retrieved 16 April 2023.
  5. Mbendeni, Alutho (7 February 2022). "DJ Fresh and wife Thabiso Sikwane confirm divorce rumours - 'There's no drama here'". News24 . Retrieved 7 February 2022.
  6. https://www.citizen.co.za/entertainment/celebrity-news/dj-fresh-on-thabiso-sikwanes-death-it-doesnt-make-sense/
  7. Dlamini, Luther. "DJ Fresh SA Voices of Hope 2 Album". Slickxup. Retrieved 16 April 2023.