Listening to Deebooi’s set when he
featured at Music Nouveau fortnightly shake down’s at Kitchen Carvery, I was
impressed by his intimate knowledge in a rainbow coloured selection of beats
from purple hazed funk, to jazz littered hip hop boom baps, to soulful lyrics
and tender melodies that reminded me that house music is like love in the rain
contemplating how much I love days like these……..lets just say the nigger put a
bee in my bonnet and had me shaking my money maker for a straight 90 minutes.
Imagine how excited I was to finally
get to profile him – a natural born rainmaker through music must have a lot to
unravel about the elements that make music the reference point, the healer, an
index of reason to celebrate and give reverence to life.
Check out profile and transcripts
from my YouTube interview with Deeboi Chiefrocka.
Gain some insight into what it took
for Deeboi to get to his Simon Says status and what adventures and platforms
his journey with music has taken him , and is taking him.
Nufsaid!
Dennis Segwe AKA, Deeboi Chiefrocka
is a bonified turntabalist, born in Soweto in September 1979. Raised on blue notes and a thriving vinyl
culture period, Deeboi's gravitation towards turntablisim was a natural
progression in his mind.
Deeboi's talent and passion with
regards to music has lead him into various ground breaking initiatives in the
entertainment and broadcasting disciplines as an entertainer and turntabalist,
music producer, radio broadcasting, programme developer and content producer as
well as a TV broadcasting researcher and contributor.
The
Wrap Sheet:
Deebooi was Producer for Voice of
Soweto (VOS) in 1997 for – Saturday
Morning.
“This
was a particularly ground breaking period for me. Amidst gaining popularity on
dance floors on public and private platforms.
It was my first break into broadcasting. I wanted to use my musical
prowess to bring back broadcasting to it’s the source through unparalleled
track selection and newsworthy content. VOS was the perfect platform as it was
a pioneering initiative that sought to bring broadcasting to the people, in a
way the people could relate to.” – quote from transcripts of interview at
Gauteng Carnival 2012 Mofolo Park, JHB, South Africa
Deeboi spent an exciting two years
during which he used his knowledge of music to spearhead programming that
focused on various musically influenced sub cultures such as hip hop and jazz –
in 1997 he was producing The Open Mic Set, which was one of the first official interactive
shows dedicated to showcasing and cultivating the hip hop culture. The Open Mic Set has
been responsible for launching and showcasing some of South Africa’s most prolific
hip hop exports - Sama Award winner Amu, Mr. Selwyn and Tumi of the volume.
In 1998 he hosted The Open Mic Set, focused at jazz
and an affluent LSM within VOS’s Main Market Listenership. This allowed him to
reconnect with a major influence in his initial calling towards music. It also
allowed him to give a fresh perspective on jazz due to his knowledge in jazzes
more contemporary genre spin-offs such as hip hop, house and lounge. His show
hosted local jazz legends such as Themba Mkhize, Doc Powell, Moses Taiwa
Molelekwa and Jeff Mapawa. The success of the show and its wide listenership
resulted in a sponsorship with CD Warehouse.
After a sabbatical and temporary
hiatus on his music and broadcasting career, to complete his studies, Deeboi
was lured back into broadcasting when he became a researcher for iQ2000 a youth
engagement and mobilizing TV program on etv.
“My
love and talent for broadcasting took me from class to TV broadcasting and back
to my second love, radio broadcasting.
With the merge of Buwa FM & SCR Soweto Community Radio, and the
advent of Jozi FM, I was earmarked to produce the drive time slot.” –
quote from transcripts of interview at Gauteng Carnival 2012 Mofolo Park, JHB,
South Africa
After an 18 month stint with Jozi FM
he joined the ranks of Metro FM – voted one of the most widely listened radio
stations nationally he joined Zak Dakile to produce content for One Mic Set. The
show was responsible for getting key local hip hop icons signed and into the
mainstream including but not limited to Pro kid, platinum selling artist Pitch
black afro, super producer Omen, and Super producer Dome.
Two years later Deeboi was
responsible for co-producing dead time success S’gubu Samampela on the most
subscribed TV channel in the country SABC 1. The opportunity offered Deeboi a
platform to extend music to TV Broadcasting and develop his skills as a VJ.
“I
feel that S’gubu Samampela was the key milestone in embracing the true
transcendent nature of music, in my career ,in my life.” – quote from
transcripts of interview at Gauteng Carnival 2012 Mofolo Park, JHB, South
Africa
The interactive music program
ultimately led him to grace international platforms and stages as part of a Mayday
an international initiative where he presented South Africa.
Other highlights throughout Deeboi’s
career include:
·
In 2006 assisted
with the production of the first hip hop summit in South Africa, which was graced
by the likes of Naan Ethiopian and Guru of gang star New York.
·
Official Mtv DJ for
the MTV VJ Search 2006
·
DJ for the KFC
taste of Fame Road Show
·
Radio imaging at Ad
Sat Co-operate Radio for in-store broadcasting for commercial giants such as
Nando’s and Pick n Pay Radio
·
Official DJ for the
official launch campaign of Iconic Hip Hop sub culture film 8mile
·
Pioneering Kasi
Music TV on DSTVs Soweto TV.
Accolades:
Despite a thriving broadcasting
career across two widely used media platforms, Deeboi stays true to turntablism.
His ability to engage music lovers across genres on local and international dance
floors has lead to his recognition:
·
May Day Amsterdam
·
Arts Alive Crowd
Pleaser Competition Sept 2012
Spaces
and Places:
As a DJ Deeboi has performed at
formidable entertainment and lifestyle activation platforms which include the
likes of:
·
Back to the City,
·
Thesis,
·
Kitchener’s
Carvery,
·
Music Nouveau
Deebooi has a track selection that
is seasoned yet refreshing. By working intimately with genres that have given birth to entire genres and subcultures
within a broadcasting paradigm, Deeboi is able to read and rock a crowd.
If you can’t take my word for it,
Check out His Gig Guide, and let what your momma gave you decide!
Genre: Hip Hop,
Sounds like:
Skill set: DJ, Radio broadcasting
and production, TV broadcasting and production, TV and radio content producer,
VJ and God’s gift to turntablism
Booking and Interviews:
mobile: 0832434883
twitter :@deeboi247
