DJ Sly: still riding the airwaves

Kgomotso Molelekeng | Thursday February 13, 2014 19:56

He entertains a diverse crowd both in clubs and radio. After making his mark in South Africa (SA) on a few radio stations, Dj Sly decided to bring his talent back home.

While the industry is known for its mobile personalities, DJ Sly has managed to stay at RB2 for more than 14 years now.  The radio veteran recently chatted with Mmegi correspondent KGOMOTSO MOLELEKENG.

Mmegi: You are one of the people who have been on radio for a long time but have managed to keep your listeners, what is your secret?

Sly: I think its all through God, determination, passion and perseverance. I believe if one is on air they have to be very smart especially content wise, the way aI do my show ‘The easy drive’ differs each day. On Monday we discuss the law; Tuesday we focus only on local content like music; Wednesday is all about health issues while Thursday we talk fashion and lastly Friday is about money issues. So my listeners look forward to something new everyday.

Mmegi:  With so many radio stations how have you managed to make your mark?

Sly: looking back at all the things I have done, I would like to think I have contributed highly on the radio entertainment industry. I let my work speak for itself and so far it has been doing all the talking.

Mmegi: What has been your most stand out moments ever since being on the entertainment industry?

Sly: There are a lot of things that I have celebrated but I suppose the ones that stand out was when I was invited by the then president of SA, Thabo Mbeki to play at his Christmas party.

I was so surprised but the one that tops it was when our president asked me to do a house compilation CD for him. This all shows that I am doing something right that people appreciate.

Mmegi:  How did you end up on radio?

Sly:I started my Career while I was still a second year student at Capetown through some Radio Bop radio presenters; Glen Lewis hosting Breakfast Show- Power Breakfast Show, Shado Twala- 9am-12pm, Ben Dikobe n George Manyosi- Midday Madness, Afternoon Drive (The Rush hour Experience) hosted by Tich Mataz and Melannie Bala. Funny thing is they are still alive and I’ve met them and still talk, but my biggest gratitude goes to Glen Lewis for his biggest support and inspiration

Mmegi: What happened next?

Sly: As I was studying Sound Recording Engineering for TV and radio so I started doing some shadowing at the very first community radio station in Africa called Bush Radio.

One day I bumped into Dj Robbie Rob in 1998 at a night club called Iyethu and then we started talking radio till he offered to introduce me to University of Cape town (UCT) radio programs who actually got interested in my voice and offered me a training and a job there, after that everything fell into place. While I was still a trainee DJ @ UCT radio, I used to do some shadowing at 5FM from 9am-12am show hosted by Alex Jay as well Bongani Njoli’s 12pm-3pm on Goodhope fm.

Mmegi:  How did you end up at RB2 and what has kept you there all these years?

Sly:  When I was still at Varsity, I sent a demo of my live recording to RB2 and they liked it so when I finished school they were really interested in hiring me. It took me three days to be employed upon my arrival.

Mmegi: People consider you as one of the best DJs here, how does that make you feel?

Sly: I feel very honored to be considered as one of the best, I’m really glad, I think it is all God’s work for me to be where I am right now. I’ve been doing a very successful Primetime radio since then till today

Mmegi: Is radio something you will still be doing in years to come

Sly:  If the following radio Gurus are still on Air, why should I go? I’m talking about Bob Mabena, Ben Dikobe, George Manyosi, Tim Modise, Lawrence Dube, Brenda Sisane, Glen Lewis, DJ Fresh, Cebbo Manyaapelo, Douglas Mosadi, Sakaiyo Jane, Lesego Mohutsiwa, Brooks Monnaanoka, Last Rakgasa, Thuso Letlhoma, and Mogomotsi Kaboyamodimo. Why should I go now while they are still there, I feel I’ve just started my career? I have a long way to go.

Mmegi: How have you grown since you got on radio?

Sly:  I think I’ve got more understanding of why they call it, ‘the theatre of the mind’, that’s the definition of radio. I think now I know it like the back of my mind, I know the importance of good content for good listener-ship.

Mmegi: Tell us about your albums

Sly: I have two already that are doing very well in the market. There are ‘Ola dintsa’ and ‘House is my life’

Mmegi: Wherever you look, everyone now fancy themselves as deejays. What makes a good DJ?

Sly: A good DJ is somebody who goes the extra mile, a DJ who will play the same stuff you have at home, but play it in a way you will never hear it.

The question is how do you play it such that it’s special on the night? And that’s what I try to do with my music, one has to have their creative cap on and make a masterpiece.