Like many musicians who fell in love with music early on, DJ Lace’s journey started with him teaching himself to play different instruments.
His passion eventually led him to the keyboard — now his main instrument — which he first played in church in 2007, where his musical foundation was built. What started as curiosity soon grew into something more intentional, as he began to explore how music could express his feelings and experiences.
That same passion later pushed him to delve into music production around 2012. For years, he experimented with sounds, beats, and arrangements, learning through trial and error until he felt confident enough to release his own music. By 2018, DJ Lace was ready to step into the industry officially.
DJ Lace | SUPPLIED
“I remember my friend’s song release, ‘Wobuya Baby’ featuring Lungelo, and its follow-up, ‘Uzongkhumbula’. Those are the songs that truly introduced me to the market. Since then, music has been my constant,” he shares.
Born Ntokozo Biyela, the producer admits that music was not his first dream. As a strong A-student, he initially imagined himself becoming a doctor. But music kept calling him back, especially during some of the most difficult moments in his life.
“Music was my escape. I expressed my emotions, my feelings and everything in between through music,” he says. “I was raised by a single mother who was not professionally employed, and that alone can bring about many challenges. I moved around a lot because of how my mom was trying to survive life. That caused instability and also made me very shy, contrary to what people see now. But that is the power that music has had in my life — being able to pull me out of those dark places.”
As music steadily became his chosen path — and, in many ways, his saving grace — DJ Lace began focusing more intentionally on building a career behind the boards, exploring the full spectrum of what it means to be a producer.
DJ Lace | SUPPLIED
Today, DJ Lace continues to grow into his producer identity. While he prides himself on being versatile, he makes it a point that his African roots are always present in his sound.
“Being exposed to varying artists has taught me a lot about different genres. In that way, I am able to incorporate different disciplines into my own music,” he explains. “When I produce, I start with the rhythm first. I like to find a beat that feels natural, something that moves your body, and then layer melodies and harmonies on top. I also spend a lot of time with artists in the studio, making sure they feel comfortable and that their voice fits the track, while keeping the production tight and balanced.”
Although he has released his own material, DJ Lace still primarily identifies as a producer rather than an artist. He is aware that producers are often overlooked for their contribution, but he remains unfazed, letting the work speak for itself.
He released his EP, This is Me, as a way to reintroduce himself to the public. The lead single, “Zindlela Zokukhanya”, is a mid-tempo Afro- house track with soulful keyboard lines that give it a reflective yet uplifting feel. The EP itself mixes danceable rhythms with softer, melodic moments, showing off both his technical skills and his emotional range.
DJ Lace | SUPPLIED
“I also dropped a studio camp EP compilation alongside Chief_SA, which consisted of six songs. One of those songs, ‘Hebe’, a collaboration with Sweet Guluva, really helped push my career forward. It’s energetic and vibrant, perfect for social media and live performances, but it also has subtle layers that reveal themselves over time,” he shares. “But I know these are the results of all the hard work I have been putting in behind the scenes.”
For DJ Lace, the journey continues. With a focus on producing music that blends African rhythms, soulful melodies, and contemporary beats, he is already looking ahead to future collaborations and projects. “I’m working on new EPs and features for next year, and I want to continue growing as a producer while helping other artists bring their visions to life,” he says. “There’s still so much to explore, and I want my music to speak for itself.”
