Reality TV Star Introduces “Siyabingelela”


DJ Lady Ming
South Africa – a country that has given birth to thousands of talented male-music-producers. Unfortunately, the female figures can’t be matched with that of gentlemen in the production department. Nevertheless, lately, the country has been unveiling a handful of quality female-music-producers annually. How refreshing and exciting.

This year – 2013 – South Africa celebrates and introduces the birth of another young female producer, Lady Ming DJ, who was born in Natal, raised in Roodekraans and moved to Pretoria in 2005.

Real name, Thembeka Zengele – the qualified Microbiologist has graduated from being a sole musical title holder, a DJ, to become a DJ-producer status holder.

Described as ‘sassy, intelligent and ever-so-talented’ – Thembeka, a resident DJ and Moloko TV host, has conducted interviews with high profile international and local musicians such as Mi Casa, Khuli Chana and Marissa Guzman in Hatfield, Pretoria-based glamorous club.

In addition, Lady Ming DJ has been watched by many South Africans on numerous TV guest appearances; and currently, she is a reality star on Creative Union – a new documentary series on Vuzu TV that follows the lives of the seven Power Play Heroes as they work in their respective hustles.

Finally, the Pretoria-based DJ-producer introduces her debut single: Lady Ming DJ feat. Checkmate – Siyabingelela

With Checkmate’s vocal versatility added to Lady Ming’s beats, Siyabingelela (Greetings) has rapidly attracted attention from South African national radio stations. More interestingly, the hit single has already travelled abroad: Nigeria, Mozambique and Portugal to name a few

We visited the vibrant Lady Ming DJ in Mofolo, Soweto township, during her music video shoot (which was filmed by Kofifi Media Group) to chat about her music career, TV, as well as Siyabingelela.

Lady Ming DJ, who inspired you to become a DJ?

I used to toy around with the idea of being a DJ but I never actually took it seriously until a childhood friend of mine told me that she had started DJing. That immediately gave me the confidence to pursue it.

Do you still remember your first gig?

My first gig was at Liquid Chefs in Rosebank, mind you, I hadn’t even finished my DJ course and I was already marketing myself as a trained DJ. I was so nervous but the amount of support I had from family and friends was enough to pull me through. My instructor had to pin me down and get me back into studio, though, just to fine tune the skills.

The last time I checked you were still just a DJ, when did you get into production?

lady_ming_siyabengelela
Album Cover: Siyabingela
Any good DJ is a producer because you’re basically recreating a sound into your idea by merging different elements of different songs together. So basically I got into producing when I started getting comfortable with my mixes. The natural progression was to now create my own song. I collaborated with very talented composers and a vocalist who understood my vision and together we translated that vision into sound.

How is the feeling like, listening to your song being played in South African radio stations and abroad?

Well it feels great but there’s still a lot of pushing to do. It’s difficult to push a movement on your own without a hype man, without a PR team, and without a record deal. But I’m one tough cookie, this song will be heard.

Checkmate, a versatile and great vocalist – how did the collaboration come about?

I was struggling to find the right male vocalist for the song, until a friend of mine linked me up with Checkmate.

How long did it take you to produce Siyabingelela?

It took about an hour for the vocals. Checkmate is just on point like that. With the instrumentals it took a couple of weeks just to fine tune the sound and get it mastered.

I’ve seen a lot of Moloko TV clips of you, interviewing big names in the South African music industry, as well as international artists – how did you get that gig?

Initially I approached Moloko for a resident DJ position, but they ended up offering me the hosting gig, PR and resident DJ gig. I’m hustler homie…

What should we expect from Lady Ming DJ in the future?

You can expect a major player in the game. I aim to provide a platform for the creative and business minded.

    You can listen Lady Ming DJ feat. Checkmate – Siyabingelela here: https://soundcloud.com/ladymingdj-1

  • For bookings, email deejayladyming01@gmail.com
  • Twitter: @ladymingdj
  • Facebook: Lady Ming Zengele
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