Music

The 32-year-old Gami Swaga continues to excel in the music industry after playing the roles of DJ, producer, sound engineer and recording studio manager for some years.

This multi-talented artist started doing music from the age of eight. After completing his matric, he studied sound engineering and audiovision for two years at Birnam Business College in Gauteng.

A resident of Zava in Giyani, Gami Swaga is the founder of Gami Music Production and Doggywear Clothing. “I came back home after completing my studies,” he said. 

“I was given an extra room that used to be a kitchen at home. So, little by little, I transformed it into a studio. Soon customers started coming to me for musical help and services.”

For quick cash, Gami Swaga would hire out his music sound for a minimal fee. He operated the sound system at functions and his skills as DJ endeared him to hundreds of people. “DJ-ing was scarce at that time in my area,” he said.

He worked hard in the studio and did some singles, which he sent to some radio stations.
“Although I submitted music to radio stations four years in a row, without being play-listed, that did not stop my drive to make more music,” he said. “Today I can stand tall and say that my hard work and patience have paid off.”

However, his song Cina kunene was nominated for Best Xitsonga house song in 2013 in the Munghana Lonene Xitsonga Music Awards. “I couldn’t believe it - I was shocked,” he said. “Although we walked out empty handed, we appreciated the gesture.”

In 2015, Gami Swaga won a Best Xitsonga House award for his song Babalaas, on which he featured Mozambican Xipanere. He has so far shared the stage with established artists such as Black Coffee, Dr Thomas Chauke, Shimza, Cassper Nyovest and Nathi.

He has just released an album, Gami Swaga – Le Nkompon 1. “On this album I have used several artists. I feature Rabs Vhafuwi, as well, in the song Light after dark,” he said. “The song was so popular that it earned us international fame as it was for a background song for DStv’s irock TV advert. It was also played on Bang Radio (UK).”

Gami Swaga believes that he will finally gain international stardom.

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