His father is a renowned radio jock, Thato "DJ Fresh" Sikwane with over two decades of broadcasting and DJing across the world. Now, Thato Sikwane Junior known as YBF is following in his dad's footsteps as a jock. Unlike DJ Fresh who is a House Music aficionado, YBF is led by his generation in the realm of amapiano music. "Amapiano is definitely where my heart and ears have been," YBF tells ZiMoja. "When I talk about amapiano I'm not talking about ?gong gong' club banger amapiano. I have gravitated towards mature, soulful amapiano that is gentle in the ears and soft on the heart!" he says. With this now highly competitive genre, he hopes to top the charts.

SELF-TAUGHT

He was born into music, with both parents having worked in the world of broadcasting for decades. "I've brought to my era of music just as my dad did with his era of music," YBF said. "I have always been exposed to and been around DJ equipment at home, but growing up I did not have the developed passion then that I do now." His passion throughout his early childhood was sports; tennis in particular. "So, I only started taking DJing seriously and actively working towards perfecting my craft since the 31st of March 2023." He learned how to DJ by watching YouTube videos and understanding the theory and technical aspects of DJ'ing before immersing himself in learning how to mix. "Once I became comfortable in my knowledge through self-teaching, my aunt, Thato Jele, had her nephew, Paballo teach me how to DJ and I kid you not, after a decent 10 minutes of being shown and practicing the basics of mixing I had already been able to produce decent transitions for a complete beginner."

PRIVILEGE

He said in reality, it was growing up learning and understanding what it is his father does and who he is in addition to all he has amassed through music that contributed to his love for it. "Being with him and seeing him perform whilst experiencing the thrill of hearing the screams of joy and excitement from an electrified crowd had further contributed to that love, also the joy of seeing how happy and so immersed he is whilst playing a set asserted that love as I now display the same enjoyment whilst playing too with similar mannerism."

PLEASING POPS

Although he is following his passion, he still wants to please his dad. "There has been nothing else that I had been working so hard towards other than to hear my dad tell me that he is proud," the YBF said. "When I was first established in the industry (2019) as a hip-hop rapper (YBF OFFICAL), I was still in school. As any parent would, my father requested I finish with school before I pursue my music career and only then will he give me his full support," YBF added. "Despite the lecture, I succumbed to the love and passion I have for music. I went on to release my first track (DREAM$$$) in October." Fast forward and he has matriculated and begun his pursuit in DJing. "When I told my dad that I had learned how to DJ and showed him a video, he watched with a smile, I finally heard him say, ?Well done, I'm proud of you' and since then he has been the happiest father on earth paving the way for his son."

WISDOM 

With fame, comes good and bad publicity, and DJ Fresh is no stranger to negative publicity and criticism. However, one thing his father has always reiterated to YBF is to always be resilient and never allow the outside noise to ruin his peace. "He always highlighted the reality of the industry being 'a dog eat dog' world and that I cannot be trusting of every person I shake hands and share smiles with," YBF said. "Also to be me, ?not everyone you know has to like you, but appreciate those that do because they're helping you make your dreams come true'. Those words have continued to make me the humble man I am," he says.