Get to know influencer/DJ extraordinaire Ggoldie on her journey to take on the music scene
Tembisa born superstar, Ggoldie, has got her eyes set on carving her name among the best female DJs in Mzansi. In an industry as competitive as this one, her love and influence of music while growing up was so powerful that all things have led her to pursuing a sultry dance (aka career) with music. A career she never expected.
2021 saw her music career soar, with her recently releasing her Asambe single – which further solidified her space within the industry. But with so much happening, this is only the beginning. With a growing social media presence and more music in the pipeline, get to know the star that is ready to claim her seat at the music table.
The 20-year-old was raised by her grandparents before subsequently moving in with her biological parents, and cites her time in Tembisa as having played a huge role in her ending up in music. But being a DJ was never the plan, she shares.
“I never knew that music was going to be my chosen career even though I used to sing in the school choir and play the violin while growing up. Making music and playing around it started as a hobby, something that I enjoyed doing at firs. That little process matured on its own to where we are now.
“Music quickly became a priority because I feel safe when making music or DJing. It has quickly become a core part of my life,” she said.
Seeing her aunt as a dancer while growing up, who was always in music videos, was the first exposure to this form of the arts. Not really labeling what exactly she wanted to do, her aunt’s career, including the vast exposure of music she had around her area, tugged at her heart’s strings only for it to manifest years later.
She started off her industry life as an influencer, fascinated by the potential of making money from just using social media.
“I was in grade 10, at the age of 16, and that led to me starting my own business in the beauty industry before moving to being a host. That obviously called for me to always go out and yes, music was a huge part of that career,” she added.
As the years progressed, the muso has had to transform a number of times to find a brand that speaks to who she wants to be known for. Not so much an influencer but a career woman with a special niche in the younger crowd whom she says “have kept me going and have shown me so much love. People my age are my target audience,” she said.
She is inspired by Durban Gogo, drawn a lot to her by her versatility and edge.
“I started DJing around lockdown times and I remember Durban Gogo would post live mixes and I would religiously sit and watch her play. I would pay special attention on how she compiled her mixes, her song selection and how she played. Just everything about her has inspired me to not only take this career seriously but also invest in it. Durban Gogo is herself through-and-through, she doesn’t need to change herself for anything and I also love how she supports younger artists. From afar, I have taken that support as my own – that I am cheered on by such a huge artist (even if she doesn’t know about it),” she said giggling.
She shares also that although her career hasn’t popped like that yet and she knows she still has a lot to work towards. A task she is ready for.
“What I hope for in my career is that it blossoms and makes people dance. I am hoping for that breakthrough album that will further solidify my name in the industry.
“In 2024, music lovers can expect my debut EP and much more on the DJing side. But to those who look at us and think it is easy, it is not. The music industry is a lot of work and there is just a lot to handle. That is why I always advise my peers to stay at school, find themselves and what they are truly called for.
Three fun facts about Ggoldie
Where does the name Ggoldie come from? Growing up, I used to have brown, almost sun-kissed hair, and my friend at school used to call me Goldy Locks from the children’s book.
What is your sound? I play Amapiano but the type of music I play is determined by my audience. I look at the age group and the environment. So, I mix my sound and I choose not to categorise my style.
Choosing music over farming? I am studying my final year in Business, Logistics, and Supply Chain Management in Pretoria where I am based. I initially wanted to do Farming and I applied at a farming school but changed my mind as the school was far away and it would restrict me from my music and my bookings. I loved farming because my dad is from Limpopo and he loved farming, so I learned a lot from him. He always wanted to be a farmer and I thought I could live his dream. I didn’t do business studies and school and I chose the course at the moment, but I believe that it can still be beneficial in my career as an artist and DJ.