By: Natasha Archary
Working from the ground up, Dj Karri can now sit back and enjoy the fruits of his labour. The internationally recognised, South African disc-jockey has been in the industry for 16-years.
Karabo Mokgara from Hammanskraal, north of Gauteng, was given the nickname Karri by his mother.
Not one to be fixed to one place, the youngster moved between Hammanskraal and Rustenberg because he needed to explore a bit.
The family man, who has a daughter, Kairo, learned the value of family from his parents.
“I grew up with living with my mom and dad and then when I moved to Rustenberg, I was with my sister. My daughter is my biggest fan and I have to live up to her vision of me. In her eyes, her papa is the best. She says she wants to be a Dj too one day and calls herself Dj Kairo.”
Dj Karri
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Growing up, Karabo spent a lot of time watching and learning from other Djs. He was introduced to electronic music by Dj Knifeskido but he stresses that no one taught him how to Dj.
“My brother had Dj equipment but he didn’t teach me. No one taught me, I know it may sound unbelievable but I taught myself. It was my passion for music that made me get into it. I didn’t wait for anyone to teach me.”
In 2004, Karri worked at Carousel Casino as a Dj. He later joined Pats Pub before he ran Channel M’s Nightclub. He didn’t study for a degree but managed to get a diploma at TUT for marketing.
The determined Dj started producing in 2012 but things didn’t go according to plan. It wasn’t until 2020 that Dj Karri started Brave Boy Music just before lockdown.
His single, 012 Lifestyle, featuring Prime De 1st, Kamo the vocalist and BL Zero pushed him over the proverbial edge.
That’s when things started picking up for Karri whose 2020 track, The Journey with BL Zero received radio play.
His EP: I Am Brave Boy in 2020 caught the attention of many in the industry and Dj Karri now has a certified gold track.
Now, Dj Karri has struck gold with his track Trigger and has signed on with Sony Music Africa.
He still can’t believe that things are happening so fast.
“One track and now I’m internationally recognised. I still can’t believe it. They call me from all over the world to play now. I’m going to be in Spain in June.”
Watch Dj Karri’s full interview on the Ultimate Kaya 959 Top 30:
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