WeeklySA_AdminDECKS: After a month behind the decks in Guangzhou and Shanghai, the South African DJ is preparing for Dubai club performances, with fresh music planned for Easter 2027…
By WSAM Reporter
South African DJ and producer DJ Melzi is building his international footprint, following a month of performances in China with a planned two-week visit to Dubai.
Born Tumelo Mphai, the musician performed in Guangzhou and Shanghai, taking his sound to new audiences while learning how to connect with crowds unfamiliar with his work.
For Melzi, the experience reinforced a lesson that applies wherever he steps behind the decks: winning over an audience begins with understanding its energy.
“Every crowd is different, so you have to understand the energy in the room and find a way to connect with the people in front of you,” he said in a question-and-answer interview accompanying a media statement.
“It was exciting to take my sound there and see how music brings people together, even when you come from different backgrounds.”
Among the highlights was performing at Aporro in China, an experience he said reminded him of the appeal of sharing music across borders.
“You cannot assume that every crowd will respond the same way, so you have to pay attention to the people and understand what works for them.”
His next destination is Dubai, where club performances are expected to form part of his two-week schedule. Venues and performance dates have yet to be confirmed.
Beyond the bookings, Melzi sees the trip as an opportunity to develop relationships and learn from another entertainment market. “Every country has its own entertainment culture, and I believe there is always something to learn when you put yourself in a new environment,” he said.
“For me, it is about building relationships, creating opportunities and making sure that wherever I go, I represent myself and South African music well.”
The international outings also come as the producer prepares new material, with releases planned for around Easter 2027.
He has not announced titles, collaborators or a firm release date, but said travelling and performing abroad had given him experiences that could feed into his creative process.
“I am always thinking about what I want to create next and how I can continue developing my sound,” he said.
“I do not want to give too much away just yet, but the plan is to bring my fans something fresh while continuing to grow as a DJ and producer.”
Alongside music, Melzi continues his association with fashion label Vialli as a brand ambassador. He regards personal style as another means of expressing the personality audiences encounter through his performances.
“Music is at the centre of what I do, but I also believe that your style says something about your personality and how you carry yourself,” he said.
While the China performances and forthcoming Dubai visit represent progress, Melzi is treating them as steps towards a longer-term ambition: reaching more listeners and building a career that creates opportunities for those working alongside him.
“I see this as another chapter, not the finish line,” he said. “There is still a lot more I want to do.”
