Gugu Moloantoa aka Gugu The DJ is a 26-year-old Soulful house DJ from the East Rand who has been in the industry for about 7 years now. Her love for music started out to the sounds of DJ Zinhle and DJ Cndo whose genre of playing she takes from. Growing in a busy area surrounded by taverns, Gugu quickly learned the type of music she enjoyed and would love to play.
2020 was a hard year, especially for the entertainment industry. Covid-19 came with a lot of safety regulations which put pretty much the whole industry and its suppliers on a pause. Gugu describes this as one of the toughest times as she was being separated from doing what she loves and also having an income stream paused. Live streaming and experiencing the crowd in person, just isn’t the same.
Everyone has a different take on how the government has implemented the regulations during this pandemic, and Gugu says if she was ruling the country right now she would “allow people in the entertainment industry to continue working while ensuring that all the covid 19 rules are adhered to. Putting the SANDF in pubs to help ensure that we comply.”
Nonetheless, Gugu started 2021 on a high note as she has been given the opportunity to be part of the Diesel Denim Fridays competition alongside other local upcoming DJs such as Khumo & C4 DJs. Being awarded this opportunity by Oscar Mbo, one of the DJs she looks up to, makes it so much sweeter. “Having to watch someone for years who Inspires you to work harder and later given an opportunity to work with him is life-changing. I know this will open more doors for me and I can't wait.”
There are many defining and memorable moments in Gugu's career as a DJ but one that she recalls as one of her highlights was in 2019 at Two Tone in Daveyton when she got a standing ovation after her set. She describes this moment by saying “That is when I knew I'm in the right direction”.
There are many taboo topics surrounding females in the music industry such as it being described as a “male dominated industry" but despite having to constantly prove herself and surpassing the intimidation of her male counterparts, Gugu has never let that stop her from doing what she loves.
The term “female DJ” has also been one fiery topic with everyone of both sides of the fence and as a female in the industry Gugu says “When I started [DJing] that term was used a lot but I didn't have any issue with it because I was the first female DJ in my area and people needed to recognize and get used to seeing a female DJ on stage. It used to draw people's attention but now that we have broken the "male dominated industry stigma" I think its not necessary to use it. At the end of the day we are all DJs and unique in our own ways.”
A final word from Gugu to other upcoming DJs:
“Nothing beats working hard and being patient. There are so many challenges that you will face but if you keep your head up high and allow people to help you when they can you will surely reach your dreams. It is also important to know why you do what you do and how far are willing to go to ensure you succeed. Nothing is impossible”
It is safe to say the growth of the music industry is in safe hands.
Follow Gugu on social media
Twitter: @GuguMoloantoa
Instagram: @guguthedj
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