South African DJ, producer, and educator Lebza TheVillain was recently spotted at the Major League Balcony Mix event, where TheJournalistDJ.com caught up with him for a quick chat about music, mentorship, and the future of DJing.
Under the warm Johannesburg sun, Lebza was in high spirits —
“The sun is out, the ladies are hot, and we’re outside having a good time,”
he said with his trademark grin.
The Rebirth of House Music in South Africa
Reflecting on the current state of the local music scene, Lebza highlighted what he describes as the “re-rise” of house music and Afro House in South Africa.
“We saw the re-rise of house music and Afro house in the country,” he explained. “3Step came in, and we started seeing artists like Thakzin, Jazzworx, and Thukuthela bringing balance back to the sound.”
He noted that while Amapiano had dominated for years, the audience is now more open to diverse sounds — a sign of healthy musical evolution.
DJ Kent, DJ Cleo, and the Legacy of the Megamix
When asked about his musical influences, Lebza gave props to DJ Kent and DJ Cleo for pioneering the “megamix” culture in South Africa.
“DJ Cleo was actually the first DJ in the country to ever do a megamix,” he revealed. “Kent took it to the next level, and it influenced a whole generation of DJs — including myself.”
As DJ Kent prepared to take the stage, Lebza laughed,
“Once Kent starts playing, I’m done with the interview — I’m running on stage!”
AI and the Future of DJing
Lebza also touched on how artificial intelligence is beginning to transform the DJing landscape.
“The next thing right now is how AI is getting incorporated in DJing,” he said. “Pioneer just dropped the CDJ-3000X — it’s packed with features that are taking the DJ experience to the next level.”
He emphasized that while technology is advancing, it’s up to DJs to learn and adapt: “It’s all about using AI as a tool to make DJing a greater experience for the people.”
Teaching the Next Generation
Beyond spinning tracks, Lebza has built a reputation as one of South Africa’s leading DJ mentors. He’s worked with numerous high-profile names — from Uncle Waffles and Musa Keys to Pearl Thusi, Nobantu Vilakazi, and Gogo Skhotheni.
“It’s a blessing to teach people who are willing to learn from me,” he said. “Music is spiritual — it’s healing, it’s gifting. Everyone has that in them.”
What’s Next for the Villain?
When asked what’s next for him, Lebza kept it cryptic:
“Expect the unexpected. I’m a Villain — that’s what I do.”
With his roots in Thembisa and his influence spreading across Africa’s dance floors, Lebza TheVillain continues to redefine what it means to be a DJ — blending mentorship, innovation, and pure musical energy into one unstoppable movement.
