Umlilo DJ descends on Bull N Bush

MONKAGEDI GAOTLHOBOGWE
Staff Writer | Thursday March 10, 2011 00:00

DJ Tira, real name Mthokozisi Khathi, is famous for his brand of kwaito vibes, known as Durban House, which has been ruling the dance floors of Mzanzi and the rest of the world,   thanks especially to hit tracks likes Umlilo, released in 2009 by Big Nuz, a group he signed and mentored.

DJ Tira's biography shows that he has thrice been to Spain's party Island of Ibiza; first after winning the 2001 Smirnoff SA DJ Knockout competition.

DJ Tira's musical exploits became evident in 2001 when he released his first CD, Real Makoya, a house compilation with the late DJ Khabzela.  He  would then  found the kwaito duo T'zozo & Professor with Kalawa Jazmee and featured on the track, Woze Durban in 2005.

Also in 2005, he teamed up with Sox to form Durban's Finest. The pair went on to release three compilations, which won a couple of Metro FM Music Awards, as Durban House became the music flavour of choice among the revellers.

In 2007 DJ Tira produced his first artist, DJ Cndo, and her debut album certified gold, surpassed the 20,000 sales mark.  And the accolades keep coming.  Big Nuz, a kwaito group he signed, won the Best Kwaito Award at the 2008 Metro FM Music Awards.  Last year Big Nuz took home three statuettes at the South African Music Awards (SAMAs).  The Durban-based trio scored a coup by beating out Afro-Soul veteran Busi Mhlongo, jazz artist Selaelo Selota, Hip-hop outfit Teargas and international Afro-rock hotshots Blk Jks for the album of the year title.

The SAMA was for Big Nuz's album Undisputed (Afrotainment/Kalawa Jazmee/Universal SA), which also took home the award for best kwaito Album. A track from the album, Umlilo featuring Tira, added a third SAMA to Big Nuz's tally when it scored the highest number of votes in the MTN record of the year category - the only public-voted category at the annual event organised by the Recording Industry of South Africa (RISA).

DJ Tira's Big Nuz would also win a continental gong in Nigeria in  the New MAMA award category of Best Performance.