It is not easy being a female DJ. It is even tougher when one is trying to make it in a foreign land. But this is what South Africa-based Malawian female disk jockey (DJ Muller is undertaking.
She is making tremendous strides in South Africa producing mix tapes as well as mix music at weddings, parties and shows.
In an interview on Tuesday in Lilongwe, DJ Muller, whose real name is Elsie Muluti-Mwase, said she ventured into deejaying business after a friend motivated her in 2015.
“When I moved to Cape town in 2015, my friend saw me playing some music on my laptop. She asked me to mix them on her birthday party since she did not have enough money to afford a DJ. After seeing how I was playing with a virtual, she thought I could help,” said DJ Muller.
She said she accepted the challenge although by that time she had no equipment.
The female DJ said she used a hired sound system,
“I mixed the music and the party went on well. I was so excited and after that I started buying my own speakers and other stuff,” she said.
She added that, with her career as a DJ she has been empowered to remain financially independent and on top of that she has made connections with other DJs who she shares skills with.
“I have benefited a lot from being a DJ, I have known other DJs, including DJ Blebo K from Malawi who is based in South Africa , DJ Magic Touch from Zimbabwe and DJ Jahpha from Congo who has taught me a lot of skills,” said Muller.
She said her skill has empowered her to raising funds and being able to support herself.
Asked how does she feel to be a female DJ, Muller said she feels blessed bearing in mind that the disk jockeying industry is highly dominated by men.
“I feel blessed by being a female DJ because the disk jockeying industry is mostly dominated by men. So, it is a huge blessing to me because I never had a dream of becoming a DJ. It just happened and I believe it is God’s given talent,” she said.
Muller said it was challenging to be a female DJ because sometimes they are underrated or abused by some men.
“Some people think female DJs are not straight and sometimes men take advantage of us especially when we are mixing in clubs and shows, the second challenge is that being female, people always think we cannot do better as a result we miss some opportunities,” she pointed out.
Muller advised fellow women who are pursuing careers that are male-dominated to remain focused to achieve their goals.
“To be a woman is not a limitation, hence I am encouraging ladies who are doing careers which are dominated by men to accept the challenge and remain focused, God will do the rest,” she advised.
She said she envisions to remain an outstanding DJ and get an opportunity to empower and motivate young girls and women to become female DJs to be financially independent.
On the local front, a female DJ, whose stage name is RJ the DJ, admits that the trade is dominated by men and to stay in the game she takes branding, marketing and identity seriously.
She said: “For me it began really as a joke. Many thought I was just going through a phase. And there really was a time I put it aside. But I love music.
“And I just had to be a DJ. I like making people happy. Music and food do the trick.”
In an earlier interview RJ the DJ said she is very professional and that is a plus.
“I take advice from great minds on branding, marketing, publicity and presentation to heart. This is not a hobby, it’s a business and deserves the attention any business deserves,” she said. RJ the DJ said the key uniqueness as a female DJ is her willingness and passion to enjoy what she does with the audience. – Additional reporting by Yvonnie Sundu.
