FEMALE DJ BECOMES AN AMBASSADOR OF UNDERGROUND SOUNDS

Written by Valencia Legodi

Lerato Legodi popularly known as AJ Lee was born (on July 14, 1993) and raised at Ga Mashashane in a small village called Ga Mapangula, she was raised by her mother Magdalene who passed away in 2012 and she is the only child of her parents. The model, DJ, and small business owner moved from Mnandi plots to Olievenhoubosch in 2019 to pursue her deejaying career.

After her matric she started hosting events (Black swag) at Upper-level media with Stemmer Kgole also known as Rabthibz, in 2018 she opened a boutique called MFB (Magdee fashion boutique) in remembrance of her late mother and she named it after her. She buys caps and t-shirts and Nathi does her embroidery, she is currently working on the AJ Lee brand and runs monthly competitions on her Facebook page.

Ntombezinhle Jiyane (DJ Zinhle) who is a DJ, producer, business women, and media personality, and Tshepo Monyaki also known as Sir Tonic who is a DJ and hustler inspired her deejaying career “Every time I saw her on the decks playing her amazing sets of music, I would go crazy and tell myself that one day it will be me. As for Sir Tonic, I used to be afraid of approaching him because he did not know me, I asked the Olive lounge manager to speak to him on my behalf and ask him to teach me how to play and he agreed” she said.

In 2018 she started practicing with Sir Tonic and learned all the necessary skills from him, she has played at local clubs namely Olive Lifestyle, Awethu, and Joe’s Place. Lerato has shared stages with DJ Zinhle, King Monada, Chada, Sir Tonic, Lahmow, and many more. The 27-year-old said that when she started deejaying she would be offered gigs to play before it got packed or later after 12 and she would receive no payment, instead she would be told that she was doing it for exposure and that it would help grow her brand.

The challenge now is that she does not have many gigs and she would like to get paying gigs as she is exhausted of being exploited in the name of exposure, during the lockdown she parted ways with the guy that embroidered her caps and t-shirts and she is currently looking for someone good in embroidery. A few years from now DJ AJ Lee sees herself as the most influential and entertaining DJ, she would also like to brand school bags, shoes, and stationery for disadvantaged children in public schools.

“Be passionate about music; push yourself because nobody will. Post your videos on social media to showcase your craft and socialize/network with relevant people in the industry of your choice. Whatever opportunity you get, use it wisely and give it your best shot. Small business owners advertise your business every day on all the social media platforms, don’t pay too much attention to the likes, and don’t be discouraged when the interaction is poor in the beginning, do it with passion, never lose hope and have faith” she concluded.

For more information on Lerato Legodi and Magdee fashion boutique follow her on Facebook @ Lerato AJ Legodi / Aj Lee Facebook page, on Twitter @LeratoLegodi6, and on Instagram @ aj_lee93