It’s one thing to be inspired by an artist so much that you start a career to emulate them, but it’s another thing when you end up working with the same idol who started you on that journey. DJ Euphonik, or Themba Mbongeni Nkosi to his mom, was so inspired by hearing DJ Fresh (our one, not the one from the UK) and his album Fresh House Flava that he decided he wanted to become a DJ too. Many house parties and late nights later, he’s a producer in his own right, one of SA’s most well-known DJ’s, and he now works with his hero. We speak to the guy who knows how to get it done.

Q: What was the first tune that got you thinking, “I want to be a DJ!”
A: I used to listen to a lot of Hip-Hop so back then it was “Snoop Dogg – What’s My Name” and on the house side of things, “Black Box – Everybody Everybody.”

Q: What’s the biggest gig you’ve ever done?
A: The biggest live gigs were in front of 25,000 people at a festival in Johannesburg called Lusito Land and 30,000 people at a Spring Day Event in the Vaal. I also have a radio show, so there the reach is unbelievable. My Sunday night show on 5fm has a huge listenership.

Q: Who is your biggest musical influence?
A: My Parents. That’s who I first heard music from and still to this day I love the music they used to play over and over.

Q: What’s your take on the technology available to DJ’s today?
A: I love it. Technology is there for our convenience and we’d be stupid to not use it for its advantages. It’s definitely made my life far easier.

Q: What was your biggest PLAYBOY moment?
A: I’ve never had one of these sadly. (Ed: Do you believe him?)

Q: Who is on your iPod playlist right now?
A: Wow! Anything and everything from jazz to Hip-Hop to indie and demos that I get from DJs. I hardly listen to house music when I’m chilling or driving. (TH)