DJY Spetla’s vision of legacy through sound and community

Born in August 1993 and raised in Palmridge, Katlehong, Nhlanhla Phiri was raised by his grandmother after his mother passed away when he was just 12 years old. His grandmother brought him to church, and this space is where his music and values were beginning to be shaped. “My grandmother introduced me to church, and that’s where everything started,” he says. “I joined the band and the choir and started learning instruments. That’s where my love for music came from.”

DJY Spetla’s passion evolved into a career and he went on to study Sound Engineering at City Varsity, expanding his skill set from casual Djing, into music production. Over time, he established Shukushukuma Entertainment, a record label, that initially began operating with nothing more than a sound system, while steadily building a fan base, hosting events and releasing music.

His growth in music since then has been consistent, driven by his commitment to continually equip himself with the skills and knowledge needed to develop personally and his sound. “I’ve changed a lot,” he reflects. “Music taught me a lot and I’ve honestly grown by attending music workshops and business workshops.”

Business and community

DJY Spetla also owns Spetla’s Eatery, a kasi restaurant that he started, and he is personally developing himself through formal studies. Currently, he is studying a leadership course at Optimum Learning and Technologies, while working and managing his businesses. “There’s a lot that I’m doing,” he says, “but I do it well by learning how to balance. And there are people who help me keep everything going.”

For DJY Spetla, being an artist does not mean being boxed into one frame. “It depends on who you are as a person,” he explains. “For me though, being versatile is important. I don’t like staying in one place. I like to learn and develop skills, even outside music. I want to grow.”

Community is at the heart of everything that DJY Spetla does. He believes music is a bridge between the artist and the audience, especially in township spaces. “Community is very important,” he says. “Music helps me connect with people because people love music. I make life music with a message, and that allows me to relate to people and get their support.”

Giving back is a key part of that relationship. Through school events and donation drives, DJY Spetla and his team support local communities by donating toiletries and creating platforms for young people to engage with music.

Reflection and vision

Having navigated the realities of South Africa’s entertainment industry, DJY Spetla is honest about its challenges. “The industry is not easy,” he says. “You have to be mentally tough.”

He encourages emerging artists and DJs to prioritise knowledge. “Some people only know how to sing, but not how the industry works, and that’s how they get taken advantage of,” he explains. “Learn about music, learn about business, work hard and pray.”

When asked about influence versus inspiration in an industry often associated with excess and pressure, DJY Spetla makes a clear distinction. “Some people push fame, others push vision,” he says. “Fame is short-lived. Vision has goals. Vision creates something that will last longer, something with a solid foundation.”

When he thinks about the peers he started with, but fell away over the years, he adds: “Many were chasing fame, not vision. But what I’m trying to create is a legacy that will inspire others in the future.”

Collaboration, recognition and the future

He cites artists like Kabza De Small as inspiration, noting their ability to operate at a large scale while staying true to their craft. He also finds motivation in upcoming township artists who draw inspiration from his own journey.

His work has earned him multiple awards and recognitions, something he attributes to consistency and self-belief. “Sometimes you think no one is watching, but they are,” he notes. And when describing the work he put in, he says, “I did research, learned social media, submitted my work to organisations, awards and radio stations, and encouraged my fans to support me.”

Right now, Nhlanhla is focused on expanding his music academy, which has been running for over five years and has already trained more than 20 DJs. His vision is to secure funding, establish a permanent site in the township, and formalise accreditation. “We teach both practical and theory,” he explains. “After a course is completed, students receive certificates, networking opportunities and guidance on their next steps.”

Though his journey has been filled with trials, DJ Spetla’s resilience and belief in his vision are driving him to be the artist that he knows he can be.

For more information about DJ Spetla’s academy (Shukushukuma Entertainment Music Academy), please email [email protected] / [email protected]