Meet the Whistle Man

You’ve probably seen DJ Castro somewhere, spinning the decks, blowing his whistle in tune to the rhythm and shamelessly having the time of his life.

The young music maker who hails from Otjiwarongo is slowly growing a reputation for creating a vibe like no other, and it might have a little to do with the fact that he’s basically a walking party.

If DJ Castro is on the line-up, you want to dust off your dancing shoes, keep yourself hydrated and prepare for a night of thrills, spills and sounds carefully curated by the ‘whistle man’.

He’s just entered the industry but already admits it can, at times, be dirty and display a lack unity. This hasn’t stopped him from solidifying his place at the centre of the celebration, though.

The self-proclaimed “only DJ with a nose ring” has played at events like BoxxThrive, Kasi Vibe Festival and the Battle of the DJs competition in Angola – which he won – and fans’ appreciation for him just keeps growing.

He says he’s always been an entertainer, but it was only when he started doodling on the DJ decks that he knew exactly which path he wanted to take. He was a dancer before he started spinning, which lends to his unforgettable stage presence that often sees him dancing for his audiences in between mixing, tweaking and scratching the turn tables.

The 22-year-old, real name Uakengeza Seth Castro Ngoimue, started DJing underground in 2012 as part of a duo called ‘Since the 90s’. However, his first big gig was the inaugural Bush Party in 2016.

So far, he has collaborated with big names such as DJ Maphorisa, DJ Zinhle, KFC DJs, DJ Ambizzy, DJ What What and others as he grows his craft. He also hosted his own event, the Let’s Unite Concert in his hometown.

Though he is new to the game, he is already loving the perks of being an in-demand music mixer. DJ Castro says he loves getting to travel, meeting new people, eating different food and taking hot showers, which he doesn’t always get to do back home.

What inspires him is his father, who was once a guitarist for the late, great Jackson Kaujeua.

His creative process is affected by a force he says he cannot quite explain. It’s almost as if someone else takes over and vibes with the spectators.

“I don’t practice. Before I go on stage, I meditate and pray. It’s important to connect with the crowd. I am an introvert, but on stage I am an extrovert. My motto is that you cannot be afraid of what people will say, you just have to do it.”

This is why he is able to forgive himself for any mistakes he makes, and believes mistakes are a normal part of life.

This rings true as he recalls his past, which saw him leading a life of crime, even spending some time behind bars. He pleads for the forgiveness of his peers, so that he can move forward with his life.

“I was young, man, one of those kids who would steal phones from cabs. But God has forgiven me now, and I have forgiven myself.”

He hopes others following that path realise that it isn’t worth it and that audiences can see and hear him for who he is right now, and appreciate the music he is trying to make.

On his sound, DJ Castro tries his best to always be different from other musicians.

“I have to introduce you to something new. I’m not a one-genre DJ.”

As for the future, the 2018 Simply You Magazine Lifestyle and Fashion Awards favourite DJ nominee is hopeful that the Namibian Annual Music Awards will give more recognition to DJs. He is currently working on an album to be released in September, so his fingers are crossed.

For anyone keen to DJ, he suggests they learn to socialise and communicate with the crowd. And to “always believe that you are a superstar, while still remaining humble”.

Follow him on Twitter @DJCastro_Nam and Instagram @DJ_Castro_Nam.

– @MissAnneDastood on Twitter and Instagram

In an age of information overload, Sunrise is The Namibian’s morning briefing, delivered at 6h00 from Monday to Friday. It offers a curated rundown of the most important stories from the past 24 hours – occasionally with a light, witty touch. It’s an essential way to stay informed. Subscribe and join our newsletter community.