Oscar Mbo is discovering a different side of the entertainment business: being the person responsible for making the entire show happen.
Speaking to TheJournalistDJ.com at the Johannesburg edition of The GRXXVY Escape, the DJ and producer opened up about the demands of running his own event, the realities of artist riders and plans to return to releasing music after spending more time with family.
The Johannesburg gathering marked the second edition of the event, following its Cape Town debut in 2025.
From Being Booked to Running the Show
For an artist accustomed to arriving at venues to perform, stepping into the promoter’s role has brought a much wider set of responsibilities.
Oscar described an event day spent moving between artists, entry arrangements, VIP sections and the many details that shape the audience experience.
“So much work,” he said. “As you can see, I’m all over the show, my man.”
That workload has given him another perspective on what goes into delivering a successful event. Beyond his own performance, he now has to consider how every part of the operation comes together.
Artist Riders Are Part of the Negotiation
Asked whether being on the other side of the booking process had exposed him to difficult artist demands, Oscar said he had not experienced major problems with riders at The GRXXVY Escape.
Many of the performers, he explained, were friends and longstanding industry peers who understood the work and costs involved in staging a show.
For him, good sound, a suitable venue, safety and proper organisation are central to the experience.
“As long as you’ve got good sound, good venue, we are safe,” he said.
Oscar also cautioned against accepting every online account of demanding artists at face value. Riders, he explained, form part of the negotiation between an artist and a promoter, and disagreements can arise when commitments are not honoured.
“Those promises are gonna have to be kept,” he said.
Having experienced the process as both a performer and an organiser, he said he had so far avoided the kinds of rider disputes that frequently become talking points online.
Discovering His Own Patience
The process of building The GRXXVY Escape has also taught Oscar something about himself.
Asked for his biggest personal discovery, his answer was immediate: “That I’m actually patient.”
Working with production teams and suppliers, while navigating sponsorship applications and event planning, has required him to manage processes that do not always move at his preferred pace.
“I never thought I’m that patient,” he admitted.
The experience has demanded more energy, too. Oscar joked that the workload required him to operate on a 48-hour schedule instead of a 24-hour one, reflecting the pressure of balancing his artist career with event responsibilities.
New Music After Time With Family
While growing his presence in the event space, Oscar said music remained firmly in his plans.
He explained that he had gone more than a year without releasing music while focusing on family and enjoying that part of his life.
“There’s music also on the pipeline,” he said.
He also signalled plans to get back into touring and launch activity, with further updates to follow. At the time of the interview, he did not name a forthcoming project or confirm a release date.
Alongside the music, Oscar teased another announcement connected to his event ambitions.
“I’m trying to build my properties in terms of the event space,” he said. “There’s something I’m gonna announce after this show is done.”
Giving Fans Access Behind the Scenes
Oscar also discussed his app, which offers subscribers exclusive content covering his work, personal life and experiences behind the scenes.
The platform provides another way for supporters to follow what happens beyond his public performances, including the work involved in putting together events such as The GRXXVY Escape.
While expressing appreciation for the response, he declined to reveal his subscriber numbers, joking that people would immediately start reaching for their calculators.
