A Reunion of Journeys
TheJournalistDJ.com reconnects with DJ Soso after a few years since their last Instagram Live conversation.
“I’m in good spirits,”
he shares warmly, reflecting on a journey that spans over two decades in music.
Who is DJ Soso?
DJ Soso is not just a DJ—he’s a music producer, label owner, and cultural mover originally from Johannesburg.
Put me in Kenya, Ghana, Durban, anywhere,”
he says.
“I’m a global figure.”
He runs Ubizo Café, a record label shaping the future of Afro-house and Amapiano blends, and has been spinning music since 2004.
Campus Roots & Cultural Foundations
The foundation of his career began at Wits University, where he served as president of the Wits DJ Society at the age of 18—taking over from none other than Sphectacula of Kings of the Weekend. From organizing res parties and fresher’s bashes to building relationships with artists and creatives who are now industry powerhouses, DJ Soso’s campus era defined his cultural influence.
Deep Ties with Sir LSG & the Rise of Deep House
Speaking of his long-standing relationship with Sir LSG, He recalls their first meeting in 2006:
“He was sitting in front of the DJ box at Wits while I was playing. We were both in the same res, and from there, we built something special.”
LSG, now hosting one of Johannesburg’s biggest deep house events, got his start under Soso’s wing—an example of mentorship turning into generational leadership in house music.
The Realities of the Industry: Gatekeeping & Growth
Reflecting on his journey, DJ Soso highlights the biggest hurdle: gatekeeping fueled by budget limitations.
“As an independent label owner, you don’t always have access to the right rooms,”
he explains. Despite this, he’s been able to build a committed team—creatives who believe in the vision, even when the money isn’t there yet.
Genre Innovation: Fusing Afro, Piano & 3Step
Musically, DJ Soso continues to push boundaries. He’s currently blending Afro-house, Amapiano, and his new passion—3step—into a fresh sonic identity.
“I’m also into Afro Tech and Afro Soul, and we sign artists in these spaces,”
he says of Ubizo Café’s diverse musical direction.
New Release: Umile ft. Gugega
DJ Soso just released Umile, a spiritual collaboration with Cape Town vocalist Gugega, which has already hit two major Spotify editorial playlists—peaking at #10 on a Gospel playlist and #28 on another, with 700 streams on day one.
“It might be small to others, but it’s massive for me,”
he humbly notes.
Building Up to the Debut Album
After years of releasing singles and EPs, DJ Soso is finally ready to release his first full-length album.
“I’ve been making music for over a decade, but now I’m at a place where I can market it right,”
he shares. The debut will follow a deluxe EP release and is expected to include around 20 tracks, showcasing years of creative evolution.
Advice for Young Artists
Timing is everything.
“Sometimes your music is too ahead of its time,”
says DJ Soso.
“Hold on to it, study the room, then release it when the world is ready.”
The Message to Fans
“I’m coming through, guys. Intuitively, I feel it—my time is now,”
DJ Soso affirms. With growing recognition, increasing streams, and a deeper understanding of how to build a sustainable label, he’s preparing for a full-circle moment.
“DJ Soso is coming. Ubizo Café is coming. Thank you.”
About DJ Soso
DJ Soso began his journey in 2004 under the guidance of icons like DJ Sphectacula and DJ Milkshake. He led the Wits DJ Society from 2006–2008, joined VOW FM as head of mobile DJs and later became a presenter and producer. In 2017, he co-hosted The Sound Evolution on Touch HD. He has played across South Africa, Botswana, and Swaziland, sharing stages with legends like Atjazz, Cleo, Black Coffee, and DJ Fresh.
