WINDHOEK– When I first heard of Titus Shikolele better known as Tie-Tie, the 19- year- old who has won himself admirers and followers by being a DJ, I was very much impressed with this young man.
The most interesting thing about Tie-Tie is, after he failed his Grade 10 and couldn’t go back to school, he did not sit around and wait for money to fall from the sky but rather started putting his hobby to work by mixing music and playing DJ at family and friends’ events. “When I saw my Grade 10 results, I was shocked and I was disappointed in myself. I felt I let my family down. But at the same time that waked me up and got me thinking about what I can do to build myself up and that’s when my love for being a DJ popped up. I started playing virtual DJ at home and my people close to me would usually call me to DJ for them,” he says.
Tie-Tie might not be a familiar name to many but he has been an underground DJ for more than three years, starting at 16 years and has proved his capabilities at more than 15 occasions. “I got so much knowledge about music. I just know what people like and I always make sure every request is granted. I remember when I first DJ, people were happy and enjoying my choice of music. You should have seen the smile on my face. People started taking my number and that’s how I really started to put my all in this,” says Tie-Tie.
As a result of his age people always tend to underestimate him but he always end up changing their perception of him. While most at his age would have responded to criticism in a hostile way, Tie-Tie always take a very humble and mature attitude to his responses and fully acknowledges that his age was a disadvantage for him. Despite his age, Tie-Tie says music is his passion, and becoming a DJ is the best transformation in his life. “Criticism will always be there but letting words make you doubt yourself will never take you anywhere. So, whenever you feel people are breaking you down, think of the reason why you started doing what you love, the reason behind it will motivate you,” says Tie-Tie.
Hearing someone so passionate about their hobby had me questioning why many young people out there can’t turn their hobbies into something useful.
Tie-Tie does not have a full set of equipment’s to be a DJ but the few items he has, which include his Laptop and Speakers, are enough to entertain more than a thousand people. He charges as little as N$600 per event depending on the hours. Tie-Tie might not be the most experienced but he is worth a second look. He is also a part time engineering student at the Centre for Training and Project Development (CTPD). If you would like Tie-Tie to spin up your venue, contact him on 0817961794.