Motswana DJ makes it in New York
WeekendLife
By Dave Baaitse
When he left Botswana in 2005 to further his studies in the United States of America, Ketshephamang Kgalemang never thought he would one day be New York’s most wanted Disc Jockey (DJ). After his arrival in the US, he spent 13 years without visiting home and used the years establishing himself as an Afro- Tech and Electro house music DJ. His sacrifice has since paid off and he is now a household name.
Known as DJ Spax- Vybz , he is one of Africa’s shining lights and an incredibly talented DJ. DJ Spax- Vybz was born in Botswana, Serowe and grew up in Gaborone, before moving to New York to study Music Production at Scratch Academy. After spending his formative teen years soaking up the music and culture of the clubs in Gaborone, he decided in 2005 to relocate across the world to the heart of the music scene to pursue his lifelong musical dreams.
WeekendLife first met with DJ Spax in December when he played at Inhaca Island, a subtropical island of Mozambique off the East African coast. He rocked his trademark shaved head and a chunky ostentatious chain around his neck that earned him the nickname ‘Sebaga’. The Drum King Spax- Vybz occasionally plays his sets along with Kafele Bandele who compliments the sound with a live trumpet free styling all the way.
In 2007 he began to make a name for himself as an up and coming DJ playing at different venues and events all across Manhattan, Queens, Brooklyn and Bronx. He carried the same raw energy and enthusiasm of music all the way from back home in Botswana to the streets of NYC and the crowds loved it. In 2008 Spax put together his own fleet of DJs and music production experts. He gathered them into a team which he named Let’em entertainment. Let’em entertainment was derived from his surname, Baleseng.
The company quickly became very well known in the New York City area by hosting parties for an array of different venues and events. His company also offered state of the art, professional sound equipment for rental as well as CD production capabilities. This combination made Let’em entertainment unstoppable. Throughout years of experience and market recognition, LET'EM entertainment, Inc. provides its clients in USA with reliable and creative services for their Southern African & global events and brand image.
DJ Spax- Vybz has released two long- plays; The Gathering feat Brown Sugar (2015) with remixes from Dj Nastor (South Africa) Sheldon So Goode (USA) and Kafele’s trumpet touch mix under CYBERJAMZ Records in USA. The Gathering has been positively reviewed in both his home country as well as neighbouring South Africa. The track has scooped number 1 on Botswana’s #BWTOP10AT10 on Gabz FM Groove Cartell Nights.
His second Release BE MY LOVER feat Fearless Boys &Kafele (2015) dropped under one of the New York independent label by Anané Vega “NULU MUSIC” , from this track DJ SPAX-VYBZ’ still showcasing his talent for creating Afro, deep, soulful stripped- back, melodic, house track. Be My Lover, one of the mixes has been released on CD compilation of Nulu Movement ADE’s renowned festival.
He has worked and always works with the likes of Black Coffee ( South Africa), Culoe De Song ( South Africa), Deejay Kinetic P (Botswana / UK), DjShimza( South Africa),Dj Fresca (South Africa), DjMpiloz ( South Africa), DjMngadi (South Africa), Miss PRU (South Africa), Groove Cartell( Botswana), DjBoggie Sid (Botswana), MsKels DJ (Botswana), Heavy K (South Africa), Dj Lesoul (South Africa) ,DjFinzo (South Africa) , Zeus ( Botswana) , Monique Bingham (USA) , DJ Angelo (Greece).
In 2016, he launched New FM Radio Show Dedicated to House Music: Exclusive "ORIGINS” which runs every Thursday early morning (3am-6am) on New York's WHCR 90.3 FM. According to DJ Spax, house music from Southern Africa has quite a definitive quality that can be solemnly contributed to its location, the spirit of the people, and the history. “I don't think house music is ready for my live sets. For now I want to experiment with it on the radio and see what people think,” he concluded.
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DJ Sway, the daring and ambitious on-air presenter of Yarona FM, played a crucial role in saving the radio station’s music awards, known as the YAMAs. The event was initially dry and disorganized, but DJ Sway, who co-hosted with Pearl Thusi, injected life into the show. However, things took a turn for the worse when Pearl Thusi abruptly left the stage, leaving DJ Sway to carry on alone. Despite the unexpected setback, DJ Sway rose to the occasion and captivated the audience, effectively putting an end to the drama caused by Pearl Thusi.
In an exclusive interview after the YAMAs, DJ Sway revealed the behind-the-scenes chaos that unfolded during the event. He acknowledged the script editors, Phalana and Hope, who worked tirelessly to reedit the script and adapt it to a one-host format. Despite the last-minute changes, DJ Sway remained composed and focused, thanks to the support of his colleagues, such as Owen Rampha, Katlego Rakola, Tshepang Motsisi (DJ Easy), and LB.
When asked about his initial reaction to the unexpected turn of events, DJ Sway admitted to feeling saddened by how things ended. However, he credited Pearl Thusi for giving him a much-needed confidence boost during his moment of doubt. She reminded him that he was destined for greatness and that he didn’t need big stars to succeed. With her words of encouragement, DJ Sway regained his composure and approached the rest of the show with the same professionalism and charisma he displays on the radio.
To overcome the challenges he faced, DJ Sway relied on his radio skills and calm personality. He engaged with the audience as if he were speaking to a single person, pointing out individuals in the crowd to create a more intimate connection. He also expressed gratitude for his backstage team, who provided support and ensured the smooth running of the show.
DJ Sway expressed satisfaction in being seen as the saving grace of the YAMAs. He believed that he fulfilled his role as a host and brought joy to the Yarona FM board, his family, and his fans. Despite his success, DJ Sway’s journey has not been without hardships. He has experienced the loss of his mother and sister, which has left a lasting impact on him. While he continues to grieve, he seeks solace in therapy sessions and relies on his father for emotional support.
DJ Sway’s dedication to his craft and ability to overcome adversity make him a remarkable figure in the radio industry. His vibrant personality and deep knowledge of music have made him a perfect fit for Yarona FM. Despite the challenges he has faced, DJ Sway remains determined to make a positive impact and bring joy to his listeners. With his talent and resilience, there is no doubt that DJ Sway will continue to thrive in his career and leave a lasting legacy in the world of radio.

Chef Gustos, the renowned hitmaker, recently experienced what can only be described as a walk of shame at the 8th edition of the Yarona FM Music Awards (YAMAs). Despite being nominated a whopping seven times, he failed to secure a single win. Ouch!
The night was filled with surprises, drama, and controversy, but the biggest winner of the evening was Han C, who walked away with three awards, including Best Pop and Best Male Single for his hit song, “Sebinki.” Han C graciously announced that he would be donating P10,000 from his winnings to his fellow nominees, promoting a spirit of togetherness among artists. What a noble gesture!
Meanwhile, Chef Gustos found himself on the losing end of several categories, including People’s Choice Artist of the Year, which he had won in the past. He seemed unfazed by the loss, stating, “People know that ‘Away’ was big, but they won’t stop me.” It’s clear that Chef Gustos is determined to continue making music, regardless of the awards he receives.
However, he did express his frustration with the outcome, suggesting that the awards may be corrupt. He declined to comment further, citing the need to protect his brand and maintain good relationships with corporate clients. It’s understandable that he wants to avoid any potential damage to his future prospects.
In fact, Chef Gustos went so far as to request that Yarona FM not nominate him for future YAMAs. It seems he wants to distance himself from the disappointment and focus on his music without the pressure of awards. Perhaps this decision will allow him to create freely and without the burden of expectations.
While Chef Gustos may have experienced a walk of shame at the YAMAs, it’s important to remember that awards do not define an artist’s talent or success. His fans still appreciate his music, and he continues to have gigs with corporate clients. So, despite the disappointment, Chef Gustos remains optimistic about his future in the industry.
In the end, the YAMAs may have been a letdown for Chef Gustos, but he’s determined to keep moving forward. He won’t let a lack of awards dampen his spirits or hinder his creativity. And who knows, maybe next time he’ll come back stronger and prove that he’s deserving of recognition. After all, the true measure of an artist’s success lies in the hearts of their fans, not in shiny trophies.