MJ Sings Blends Soulful Vocals and DJing to Redefine His Live Performance
Multi-award-winning Afro-Soul musician MJ Sings is taking his career in a fresh direction by combining his signature soulful vocals with DJing, creating a hybrid performance style that is expanding his creative range. The Zimbabwean artist has developed a live concept that allows him to move between singing and DJing during the same performance, giving audiences a different experience from a conventional vocal set. The approach has gained traction internationally, particularly in Europe where Afro House and electronic music continue to attract strong audiences. For MJ Sings, the move is not about abandoning his Afro-Soul foundation but about finding another way to express his musical identity. His DJ-vocalist concept is already receiving attention at local events and could eventually help him reach new audiences beyond Zimbabwe.
The idea places MJ Sings among a growing group of African and international musicians who have explored the space between vocalist and DJ. Artists such as Black Coffee collaborator Shota and Grammy Award-winning musician Zakes Bantwini have demonstrated how live vocals and electronic performance can coexist within one artistic presentation. International performers including Koven, Porter Robinson and Kaleena Zanders have also explored combinations of electronic production, DJing and live vocals. MJ Sings is now developing his own interpretation of the format, drawing on his experience as a vocalist while building the technical skills required behind the decks. His approach gives him an opportunity to control more elements of his performances and create sets that move between recorded music, live mixing and vocal expression.
The decision to learn DJing was deliberate and came from MJ Sings’ desire to challenge himself creatively. Rather than relying solely on the skills that had already established him as a successful Afro-Soul musician, he chose to become a student again and learn an entirely different aspect of performance. To prepare for the transition, he enrolled at Nizhe De Soul DJs Academy, where he spent two months studying the fundamentals of DJing under acclaimed DJ Nizhe De Soul. The training gave him a structured introduction to the technical side of DJ performance while allowing him to build on the musical knowledge he already possessed. According to MJ Sings, his existing background in music helped him understand some concepts, while his teacher played an important role in breaking down the process and guiding his development.
MJ Sings has described the transition from vocalist to DJ as a demanding adjustment because it required him to approach music from a different perspective. As a performer who was already comfortable on stage, he had to put aside the confidence that came with years of vocal performance and return to the basics. He said the process required him to leave his musical ego outside the door and become willing to learn from scratch. His two months at NDS Academy therefore involved more than learning how to operate equipment, as it also required patience, discipline and a willingness to recognise areas where he needed improvement. The mentorship of Nizhe De Soul helped him identify his strengths and weaknesses while gradually preparing him to incorporate DJing into his professional performances.
Returning to the role of a student was one of the biggest personal challenges for the musician. MJ Sings admitted that there were days when he felt discouraged because he was no longer accustomed to starting from the beginning after establishing himself as a successful artist. However, he continued attending training throughout the two-month period because he remained committed to developing the new skill. His willingness to keep learning has also continued beyond the initial training period, with the musician saying he still visits the academy from time to time. That continued engagement reflects his belief that developing as an artist requires ongoing learning rather than reaching a point where there is nothing left to improve. It also demonstrates that his move into DJing is a serious part of his career development rather than a temporary experiment.
The training has already translated into practical opportunities, with MJ Sings introducing his DJ-vocalist concept at a number of events. He has showcased the format at Suk Festival, Nizhe De Soul and Friends, Skyz Metro FM and The Mix and The Menu, allowing different audiences to experience his new approach. These performances have given him an opportunity to test the balance between live singing and DJing in real event environments. They have also allowed him to refine how he moves between the two roles while maintaining the energy and connection expected from a live performer. Each performance provides another opportunity to understand what audiences respond to and how the concept can develop into a more polished and recognisable part of his brand.
The next stage of the concept will see MJ Sings take it to Roots Zw in Harare, where he is scheduled to perform alongside Afro House artists JNR SA, Tefo Foxx, Ryan Synth and Samuel Cosmic. The event provides an important platform because the Afro House environment naturally creates space for electronic music, DJ performances and live vocal elements. Performing alongside established Afro House acts could also expose MJ Sings to listeners who may know him primarily for his soulful music. His hybrid format gives him an opportunity to demonstrate that his vocal abilities can complement a DJ-led performance without losing the emotional qualities that have shaped his career. The event could therefore become another significant step in establishing the DJ-vocalist concept within his growing repertoire.
The response to the new performance style has reportedly been encouraging, both from music lovers and fellow DJs. MJ Sings believes audiences appreciate the combination because it provides more than a conventional DJ set or a traditional vocal performance. The live singing introduces an emotional and human element while the DJing gives him greater control over the flow, rhythm and energy of the set. This combination can allow him to move between different musical moods while maintaining a direct connection with the audience. For a performer with an established Afro-Soul identity, the format also creates opportunities to introduce soulful vocals into genres and environments where audiences may not traditionally expect them.
MJ Sings views DJing as a natural extension of his musicianship rather than a complete change of direction. He has compared the DJ decks to another musical instrument, describing them as an additional tool through which he can express his creativity. This perspective is important because it shows that his move into DJing is rooted in his broader understanding of music rather than simply a desire to follow a trend. His soulful identity remains central to the way he approaches new genres, allowing him to bring the same emotional quality to different musical settings. By incorporating live singing into his DJ sets, he aims to give audiences a balance between the technical energy of DJ performance and the intimacy associated with live vocals.
The new direction is also opening possibilities for MJ Sings beyond the local market, with Europe emerging as one of his key targets. He revealed that enquiries about potential European tours have already started coming in, although he recognises that international touring requires careful planning and professional representation. He said his team is working to secure an agent because the European market operates through established processes that require artists to have the right structures in place. That approach could help ensure that any future international performances are properly organised and sustainable. Europe also represents a potentially strong market for his hybrid sound because Afro House, electronic music and African-influenced dance music have developed significant international audiences.
Despite expanding into DJing and electronic music, MJ Sings remains clear about where his artistic identity begins. The musician has emphasised that soulful live music will always be his home, even as he explores different genres and performance formats. He carries his soulful approach into every style he touches, using live vocals to retain the emotional connection that has defined his work. His decision to include singing within his DJ sets ensures that the new format does not completely separate him from the sound that established his reputation. Instead, the hybrid concept allows him to bring his existing musical identity into a new performance environment.
MJ Sings’ evolution into a DJ-vocalist highlights the changing nature of live music and the growing willingness of artists to move across traditional creative boundaries. His journey shows that established musicians can still challenge themselves by becoming beginners in a new discipline and developing skills outside their familiar areas. Through his training at Nizhe De Soul DJs Academy, performances at major local events and plans to explore international opportunities, he is steadily turning the concept into a meaningful part of his career. The combination of DJing and soulful live vocals gives him another way to engage audiences while expanding the range of music he can perform. As MJ Sings continues refining the format, his ability to combine technical DJ skills with authentic live singing could become one of the defining features of his next chapter.
