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Biography
Ashley Kholofelo Raphala (26) was born in Tembisa, Ekurhuleni and grew the love of music from his early days as a child. He debuted onto the house music scene as a DJ in 2003 and went on to win the Red Square DJ competition in 2006, which got him recognised as a force in the house music arena. He then went on to win the South African Music Conference’s DJ Spin offs Competition and the national VO Bertrams “The Next Big Thing”.
The highlight of his career came when he won the Gauteng DJ Challenge in 2010. Winning this competition gave him much needed exposure and startup equipment. He went on to establish and host the prestigious annual “Dj Shimzas One Man Show” and play in the country’s big concerts including the Spring Fiesta Spring Explosion, Oh Ship and YFM gigs alongside big names like Fresh, Black Coffee and Oskido.
DJ Shimza has released two CD compilations “SA House Charts,” “The Next Big Thing” and was featured on the Soul Candi Sessions 10 Album, their 10th year anniversary pack that included the likes of Euphonik, Whiskey, Lulo Café, Harael, Dj Fresh, thereby joining other big names in the industry which were all dominant in clubs, dance floors and social events. He travelled several countries including Mexico, Angola, United States of America, France and the UK. In all these countries and major cities, his music was regarded as world-class and among the very best. Shimza later developed entrepreneurial skills as he was being exposed the music industry and his involvement with Soul Candi Music as a student and later an employee for several months further sharpened his skills hence the birth of his production company.
Dj Shimza was also a mix dj on YFM every Friday evening at 6pm labeled YTKO, he is currently on Metro FM encoring a show with Oskido and is a VJ on Channel O. He currently works as a freelance mix resident DJ in Oskido’s iBelieve show on Saturday afternoon between 3 and 6pm. The show has a listenership of approx 6 million people. His latest album SHIMUZIC earned him a Metro FM Award 2015 for his hit single “Akulalwa” featuring Dr Malinga.
It is without a doubt that Dj Shimza is golden talent, and he still believes in reaching greater heights.