Shimza & Co | The Art of Technical DJing and Global DJ Innovation
July 10, 2026
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Discover Shimza & Co and explore how technical mastery, creativity, and preparation shaped a global Afro House ambassador.
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Shimza & Co
The Art of Technical DJing
Shimza & Co
The Art of Technical DJing and Global DJ Innovation
Few artists represent South African electronic music like Shimza. Shimza & Co celebrates the dedication, discipline, and creativity behind his remarkable career. Shimza & Co highlights how years of practice, experimentation, and international touring shaped one of South Africa’s most respected electronic music ambassadors.
Adapted from an original interview by Ryan Keeling for AlphaTheta Bridge, this story explores the experiences, equipment, and philosophy behind Shimza’s distinctive performances. From humble beginnings in Tembisa to performing at legendary venues like Pacha Ibiza and leading the internationally acclaimed Kunye movement, Shimza continues inspiring audiences worldwide.
Learning the Hard Way
Before digital controllers became standard, Shimza developed his skills using belt-driven turntables and basic analogue mixers. Instead of viewing these limitations as obstacles, he embraced every challenge.
Daily practice alongside fellow DJs strengthened his beatmatching, timing, and technical precision. The equipment demanded constant adjustment, which built discipline and adaptability. Shimza believes these experiences created stronger DJs who could confidently perform on almost any setup.
That solid foundation continues influencing every performance today.
A Culture Built on Competition
Shimza believes South Africa has produced some of the world’s most technically accomplished DJs.
The local electronic music scene encourages healthy competition. DJs constantly improve their mixing, music selection, and creative performance skills. They build musical journeys, understand audiences, and develop distinctive styles.
According to Shimza, this competitive environment prepared South African artists for international success while preserving their unique musical identity.
Finding a Global Balance
International touring expanded Shimza’s understanding of audiences worldwide.
His performances remain deeply rooted in Afro House and African rhythms. However, travelling taught him to balance those influences with sounds that resonate globally. Rather than abandoning his roots, he refined his musical approach by blending African percussion with melodic and tech-inspired elements.
This evolution helped Afro House grow from a regional genre into an internationally recognised movement.
The DJM-V10: Built for Creativity
Shimza remains a passionate advocate of the AlphaTheta DJM-V10.
He values the mixer’s flexibility, dual reverb options, and intuitive effects section. These features provide the creative freedom he depends on during performances. Unlike DJs who use effects sparingly, Shimza constantly experiments with them.
Years of exploring every function on a CDJ and mixer allowed him to discover new transition techniques and creative performance methods.
That curiosity continues defining his performances.
Performance Through Preparation
Preparation remains central to Shimza’s success.
He carefully organises his music library using rekordbox. Instead of sorting tracks by genre, he creates playlists for specific events. This approach helps him recall tracks that worked well at particular venues and festivals.
Hot Cues, loops, acapellas, and custom cue points also support his workflow. These tools create seamless transitions and creative layering without interrupting the flow of a performance.
Even after decades behind the decks, Shimza continues refining these techniques before every show.
Building Energy Beyond the Music
Another essential part of Shimza’s setup is the RMX-1000.
He discovered its creative possibilities while watching house legend Louie Vega perform during Miami Music Week. Inspired by that performance, Shimza incorporated snare rolls, build-ups, and dynamic effects into his own sets.
Combined with three CDJs, carefully positioned acapellas, and precise effects control, these elements transform every performance into a compelling musical story.
Never Stop Learning
Shimza’s journey delivers one clear message.
He never stops learning.
Despite achieving global recognition, Shimza continues experimenting with effects, testing new performance techniques, and learning from DJs worldwide. He believes standing still is never an option because innovation constantly drives the industry forward.
Every performance becomes another opportunity to evolve.
As South African electronic music continues rising internationally, Shimza remains one of its strongest ambassadors. He combines technical mastery, musical authenticity, and continuous learning to inspire DJs across the globe.
This article is adapted from the original interview by Ryan Keeling, published on the AlphaTheta Bridge website.
Visit Proaudio today to read more about Shimza & Co and discover the latest stories, artist interviews, and innovations shaping the world of professional DJing and electronic music.
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