DJ Linc defying a male dominated house music industry
Published: 24 November 2014 | by Danny Tese
DJ Linc - Photo supplied
House music in South Africa is a male dominated industry but there is one lady who is making waves.
DJ Linc, born Ncediwe Ndamase, who now co-owns a recording company has carved out an impressive career and she gave OneVybe a glimpse of her journey so far.
"I grew up loving music in general and when I came to Johannesburg, I was introduced to clubs by friends because I liked dancing too.
"So just by clubbing I would recognise a certain song even before the DJ would drop it and by doing that, a lot of DJs thought I was a DJ already.
"Then I was referred to Soul Candi Institute of music by a DJ friend after seeing the music skills I had. And that's where it all started, 2008."
Soul Candi Institute of Music - http://idmmag.com
DJ Linc has been working professionally since she graduated and she credits technology as being pivotal to her success because she has been able to make useful contacts through social media.
"Through speaking to like-minded people on Facebook, I was then introduced to Mlue Records, which I now co-own, with two 'bedroom studios,'" DJ Linc says laughing.
On what inspires her, Linc added, "Mostly my music is inspired by the experiences I've shared with people, hence its very afrocentric and partly because I can't sing in English, lol. I can write peoples' songs in English...but just not for me."
Initially, Mlue Records gave Linc the opportunity to manage Kwabatsha, a Zimbabwe based afro dance group.
DJ Linc said, "This led to the release of their hit song, 'Zvangu Zvamuka,' which was recorded in our studios.
"The group toured the world launching this single, which had been playing in all major house loving countries in Africa."
Kwabatsha - Zvangu Zvamuka (Mash.O Remix)
Following her success, DJ Linc was then introduced to DJ Aero Manyelo of Herbal 3 Records, and that's when she did the collaboration with singer Oluhle when she was in South Africa.
"The first single I did, titled Apology was remixed and compiled by Aero on his 2011 album.
"The second single was licensed by a UK producer and compiled on his album. The third was the hit I did with Oluhle. My latest single is currently on 3 major commercial radio stations airplays and numerous house or dance clubs," said DJ Linc.
Oluhle & Ncediwe - Imihlolo (Smartology Mix) South African House 2012
"I got an international nomination in 2014 for best mobile female DJ and best DJ mix by DYMEJAYS (USA).
"Its a Female award/recognition internationally, looking at the work female DJs do, submitting mix-tapes and radio-play of the mix-tapes. Gigs etc."
Amongst other highlights in her career, DJ Linc counts the collaboration with Oluhle as one of the most memorable.
"I never dreamed I'd ever be in the same room with her, let alone do a song together when I used to be at Soul Candi listening to 'Zvinochiririsa' or 'Pfugama Unamathe.'
"I used to like these songs 'cause somehow, even though I didn't (and still don't) hear what the lyrics were about, these two songs used to comfort me somehow.
"If I'm in Johannesburg listening to one of them, I'd miss home immediately, and vice versa."
DJ Qness feat. Oluhle - Fugama Unamathe
Despite her current success, DJ Linc, has faced some challenges and she told OneVybe, "Mostly the industry is still men dominated and a lot of them especially the ones that I'd say [are] kingpins don't wanna give women a chance.
"Not really sure whether they feel threatened or they just wanna keep it small and the fact that there's too much exploitation of women in the industry.
"You find a lot of "bedroom interviews" and we as women aren't just expected to be perfect on our skills only.
"And lastly, most club owners or promoters still don't trust women skills, they don't have enough faith in us, we still are not featured in all the most powerful events like the Spring Fiesta, OpiKopi etc.
"I mean we do have some of the finest female DJ's that have proved they deserve to be given the chance at these events but still we not featured 'cause its a man's world out there so they just, for some reason rule us out."
Fortunately, these challenges have not stopped DJ Linc from going for her dream and she said: "In all these, I don't let myself be the victim, I always work harder everyday to make them finally recognise me for my skills and passion.
"In most cases, we as females compete but when it comes to issues like this, we are united."
The only challenge for female DJs, according to Linc, is that they lack clear leadership to tackle these matters.
DJ Linc - Photo supplied
Regardless, DJ Linc has a lot in store for the future and told OneVybe, "I have toured SADC so far, and will be back in Swaziland end of this month. My contacts in the UK are in talks for me to start touring Europe next year, with Aero Manyelo and Oluhle. But that's still under negotiations
"I had planned DJ Linc birthday tour, which I do every year for the month of Nov (my birthday month) and the last one is the Swaziland gig on the 29th. At City by Night."
"I'll also be doing a colab with a mystery artist, amazingly from my home town in Eastern Cape. The guy can write and sing in more than six African languages including Swahili! So watch out for that."
For more information please visit:
http://www.djlinc.wozaonline.co.za/home
https://www.facebook.com/ncediwe.linc
Email: djlinc337@gmail.com
Email: mluerecords@gmail.com
Tel: +27784765372
Tel: +27787175434
- OneVybe
DJ Linc, born Ncediwe Ndamase, who now co-owns a recording company has carved out an impressive career and she gave OneVybe a glimpse of her journey so far.
"I grew up loving music in general and when I came to Johannesburg, I was introduced to clubs by friends because I liked dancing too.
"So just by clubbing I would recognise a certain song even before the DJ would drop it and by doing that, a lot of DJs thought I was a DJ already.
"Then I was referred to Soul Candi Institute of music by a DJ friend after seeing the music skills I had. And that's where it all started, 2008."
Soul Candi Institute of Music - http://idmmag.com
DJ Linc has been working professionally since she graduated and she credits technology as being pivotal to her success because she has been able to make useful contacts through social media.
"Through speaking to like-minded people on Facebook, I was then introduced to Mlue Records, which I now co-own, with two 'bedroom studios,'" DJ Linc says laughing.
On what inspires her, Linc added, "Mostly my music is inspired by the experiences I've shared with people, hence its very afrocentric and partly because I can't sing in English, lol. I can write peoples' songs in English...but just not for me."
Initially, Mlue Records gave Linc the opportunity to manage Kwabatsha, a Zimbabwe based afro dance group.
DJ Linc said, "This led to the release of their hit song, 'Zvangu Zvamuka,' which was recorded in our studios.
"The group toured the world launching this single, which had been playing in all major house loving countries in Africa."
Kwabatsha - Zvangu Zvamuka (Mash.O Remix)
Following her success, DJ Linc was then introduced to DJ Aero Manyelo of Herbal 3 Records, and that's when she did the collaboration with singer Oluhle when she was in South Africa.
"The first single I did, titled Apology was remixed and compiled by Aero on his 2011 album.
"The second single was licensed by a UK producer and compiled on his album. The third was the hit I did with Oluhle. My latest single is currently on 3 major commercial radio stations airplays and numerous house or dance clubs," said DJ Linc.
Oluhle & Ncediwe - Imihlolo (Smartology Mix) South African House 2012
"I got an international nomination in 2014 for best mobile female DJ and best DJ mix by DYMEJAYS (USA).
"Its a Female award/recognition internationally, looking at the work female DJs do, submitting mix-tapes and radio-play of the mix-tapes. Gigs etc."
Amongst other highlights in her career, DJ Linc counts the collaboration with Oluhle as one of the most memorable.
"I never dreamed I'd ever be in the same room with her, let alone do a song together when I used to be at Soul Candi listening to 'Zvinochiririsa' or 'Pfugama Unamathe.'
"I used to like these songs 'cause somehow, even though I didn't (and still don't) hear what the lyrics were about, these two songs used to comfort me somehow.
"If I'm in Johannesburg listening to one of them, I'd miss home immediately, and vice versa."
DJ Qness feat. Oluhle - Fugama Unamathe
Despite her current success, DJ Linc, has faced some challenges and she told OneVybe, "Mostly the industry is still men dominated and a lot of them especially the ones that I'd say [are] kingpins don't wanna give women a chance.
"Not really sure whether they feel threatened or they just wanna keep it small and the fact that there's too much exploitation of women in the industry.
"You find a lot of "bedroom interviews" and we as women aren't just expected to be perfect on our skills only.
"And lastly, most club owners or promoters still don't trust women skills, they don't have enough faith in us, we still are not featured in all the most powerful events like the Spring Fiesta, OpiKopi etc.
"I mean we do have some of the finest female DJ's that have proved they deserve to be given the chance at these events but still we not featured 'cause its a man's world out there so they just, for some reason rule us out."
Fortunately, these challenges have not stopped DJ Linc from going for her dream and she said: "In all these, I don't let myself be the victim, I always work harder everyday to make them finally recognise me for my skills and passion.
"In most cases, we as females compete but when it comes to issues like this, we are united."
The only challenge for female DJs, according to Linc, is that they lack clear leadership to tackle these matters.
DJ Linc - Photo supplied
Regardless, DJ Linc has a lot in store for the future and told OneVybe, "I have toured SADC so far, and will be back in Swaziland end of this month. My contacts in the UK are in talks for me to start touring Europe next year, with Aero Manyelo and Oluhle. But that's still under negotiations
"I had planned DJ Linc birthday tour, which I do every year for the month of Nov (my birthday month) and the last one is the Swaziland gig on the 29th. At City by Night."
"I'll also be doing a colab with a mystery artist, amazingly from my home town in Eastern Cape. The guy can write and sing in more than six African languages including Swahili! So watch out for that."
For more information please visit:
http://www.djlinc.wozaonline.co.za/home
https://www.facebook.com/ncediwe.linc
Email: djlinc337@gmail.com
Email: mluerecords@gmail.com
Tel: +27784765372
Tel: +27787175434
- OneVybe
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