Star Of The Month: DJ Calenda

Star Of The Month: DJ Calenda 

D J Calenda is an amazing creative who is exceptionally thriving as he's been in the industry for years and is still massively booked. He's someone who has the passion and heart for the art. An independent creative who never stops shining. 

This is our chat with him, here's what went down as we talked about his new music, empowering the masses and his personal growth. 

Welcome to Mzansi Avenue

Thank you for joining us.

How are you?

Calenda: I am good thanks for asking.

McKing: So who is Calenda, what does he do?

Calenda: Dj Calenda is Jeremiah Dale Kgwedi (Mathebula) born in Bushbuckridge in a small village called Craigburn. He is a disc jockey, event planner, as well as a sound technician. I am also running an entertainment company known as a Stress 4 Yini entertainment (S4Y)

McKing: Amazing. How did you know that you are a Dj/Producer? When did the talent manifest?

Calenda: My musical career started at an early age of 12/14 whereby I used to dance at school functions. I got my breakthrough in 1999 all thanks to  my cousin who was a DJ and Sound supplier around Bushbuckridge. He discovered my passion for music at school where he was rendering a service. Ever since then my musical career started to have direction under his guidance. He is known as Sulaiman Shai, his stage name was DJ 2short from Hebron where I moved to when my late mother left Craigburn.

McKing: That's so awesome, how did you receive the stage name Calenda? Please tell us more about it.

Calenda: The Calenda stage name came in a form of mockery and dissing from guys around my hood who spent the whole year without doing anything with their lives and stuff.  I was calling such such people Calendar (meaning that they spend the whole year without doing anything like playing soccer or any activity in their living hood to achieve important life goals) 

Some would chase me around when I called them Calendar, then the name was given to me as I was the one who came up with it. That is how DJ Calenda name came to be. 

McKing: Interesting. What a twist.  what has it been like to work behind the scenes and on stage living the dream? 

Calenda: for the past years of my musical career I promised myself that quitting cannot be an option, I kept going whereby I shared stage with many big South African music icons such as Arthur Mafokate and Oskido just to mention a few. I became an event promoter in 2009 then decided to share my deejaying  skills with fellow boys and girls.  some are still doing music for a living. Some are radio presenters, producers, etc. 

McKing: Incredible stuff. what are some of the challenges you have come across early in your career and how have they helped you progress? 

Calenda: challenges are always a part of the game, so for me being strong enough to sustain the pressure helped me to learn more in this industry especially when you are a promoter. You can host an event, spend every cent you have but only to have less turn up of attendance. And some artists or DJs not showing up to your event can be really frustrating. However that has made me stronger at least now I can always leave room for disappointment when things go wrong of which I call it: to go back to the drawing board and reload. 

McKing: So true and on point. 5 things you cannot go a day without? 

Calenda: mmmm things I cannot go a day without.. 

1. I cannot go a day without checking the trends in the entertainment industry globally 

2. Brainstorming new ides that can help me and others to improve 

3. Listening to music is part of my daily routine .

4. Networking with other promoters 

5. A prayer is my keynote. So I do not go a day without thinking about God. It is a must do. 

McKing: what are you currently working on? 

Calenda: I am currently working on my long awaited EP known as GO'PIANOTECH.. people should lookout to tracks such as:

1. Mme obohlokwa (dedicated to my late mom) 

2. Thanks4dehate

3. Mangelengele (dedicated to my late brother) 

4. Vula (whereby I features my producer Croc SA.)

5. Khoma rhaku (xhibelani Amapiano dance song) and more 

Dropping date have not been chosen but we are planning to release anytime when we it is 100% ready. 

McKing: Cannot wait to hear it. you have contributed so much and are acclaimed by critics, industry, peers and fans. What would you like to say to them celebrating you? 

Calenda: for my fans out there I would like to tell them that I am so grateful for their support from day one till today without them I am nothing. I thank them for giving me the courage to stay true to myself till today. 

McKing: Word! what's your daily motivation? 

Calenda: my daily motivation: I am sending a message to young ones out there to stay away from drugs and alcohol. They should replace those with with working hard in school and their talents. That is why I came up with the movement -  Nyaope Must Fall Marathon x Knock down Nyaope Boxing (of which I am still looking for sponsorship to make this a reality) Nyaope is taking the future of our young generation so we should do something about it. 

McKing: Kudos to you for stepping up. if you were stuck in the elevator or an island which 5 songs would you have on your playlist? 

Calenda: hahaha songs 😜

1. In the name of love by Martin Garrix

2. Hope by Mandoza

3. Sebastian Ingrosso (any track) 

4. Mme obohlokwa 

5. Galeli (taken from our EP undisputed combo) 

McKing: Nice. what is it like to play for a live crowd? Can you describe the feeling? 

Calenda: playing for a large crowd is heavy since you will be playing for people with different taste of music, but you need to adjust as a professional.. 

McKing: Indeed. who would you like to work with locally, nationally, and internationally? 

Calenda: locally I would like to work with anyone who is passionate about working and und understanding the music industry. Nationally Arthur Mafokate, Dj Fresh, Argento Dust, Maphorisa. 

Internationally I would love to work with Martin Garrix, Tiesto, David Guetta, Green Velvet. 

McKing: Ooh those would be hot collaborations. what are some of your personal struggles and how did you manage to overcome them? 

Calenda: Problems are a part of our daily lives so as a person you need to adapt from every situation. So for me money becomes my main problem since I do not have sponsorship or any company backing my musical career. 

McKing: Being an independent artist isn't easy but worth it, you're a true example of that.  what is the best part about being Calenda personally and professionally? 

Calenda: Being Dj Calenda to me is a blessing since I am the only one in the whole world, even google can verify that hahaha (chuckles). Professionally I try to keep it clean no matter how the situation can be. 

McKing: Nothing like a good big reputation. who are your musical influences and why? 

Calenda: I am inspired by the best in the world, so big artists such as Tiesto, DJ Fresh, they help my morality to keep going because of their sustainability in the music industry. 

McKing: Where can people find you at the latest places where it's happening? 

Calenda: People should know me as Dj Calenda an entertainer who is now a resident dj at Teezers lifestyle operating at Nketse Nketse tavern at Brooklyn (also an event planner there) and working on my upcoming EP soon to be released this year. 

McKing: pick one from each:

David Guetta or Black Coffee? 

David Guetta 

Deep House or Tropical House? 

Tropical House

Remixes or The Original? 

The Original

Lengthy Mixes or an EP? 

An EP

Fashion or food?

Fashion

 

Passion or Power?

Passion  

McKing: where did you play for a live audience and had the best reception that gave you confirmation that you are born to do this? 

Calenda: one of my best moments was when I played in Midrand Khayalami Theater on a track where I was sharing the stage with the likes of Zama Jobe, the late Joe Mafela, Dj Fresh, and more. I was the only unknown DJ (there) but I made everyone move including shaking hands (with fellow performers) after my set. 

McKing: Must've been epic. What is your Mantra? 

Calenda: My mantra... Keep going no matter how hard it is. 

McKing: Would you rather meet the love of your life or become a billionaire? Why? 

Calenda: I rather become a billionaire because money is everything in our daily lives. 

McKing: You have been having back to back gigs, how do you keep the energy and ensure that you give your best at every show? 

Calenda: I take each gig as a new match so I prefer taking each show easy without being influenced by habits so that I can give them the best out of me. 

McKing: what does worker's month mean to you? 

Calenda: worker's month to me is just like any other month so I take it as it is. 

McKing: if you were a song which one would you be and why? 

Calenda: hmmm a song 😊 I was going to be Mama by Mandoza as I miss my late mom every day. 

McKing: where can people get hold of you? 

Calenda: people can get hold of me on this platforms:

Facebook : Dj Calenda

Instagram & Twitter : @deejay_calenda

YouTube: @djcalenda7968

Booking contacts : 082 255 1438/ 083 489 7550

Thank You For Joining Us. All The Best with Your Endeavors. Keep On Shining. DJ Calenda knows how to work play, inspire, dream big and make it happen. Something we love to see. Until Next Time.

Mzansi Avenue.