Bulawayo’s Rising Star: DJ Phantom Serge

Bulawayo’s DJ Phantom Serge, born Brandon Thabuya Ndlovu, is emerging as one of Zimbabwe’s most promising talents in the Afro House scene. His journey from childhood curiosity to professional DJ highlights a blend of passion, mentorship, and academic excellence.

Phantom Serge first discovered his love for DJing in primary school. “I loved listening to mixtapes and was always intrigued by how it all worked. I felt like I would really love to explore it. As time went on, I learned how to use Virtual DJ from a classmate, and I never looked back,” he recalled.

In 2023, he made the leap into professional DJing with guidance from DJ Feel G of House in CBD. “He taught me how to use industry-standard equipment and booked me for gigs once I was ready,” Phantom Serge said.

His talent quickly attracted the attention of top Afro House DJs, including Nitefreak, DJ Ash T, Kotwane Hikwa, Bryce DJ Klasiq, and Slim T. Their mentorship opened doors to high-profile events such as Souls of Culture, Garden of House, and other major festivals leading into the 2025 festive season.

Phantom Serge is set to release his mixtape, “Sounds of Kenilworth,” this Friday. He sees it as a milestone for his career and for Afro House in Zimbabwe. “I hope this mixtape will showcase fresh music and shine a light on Afro-House producers that people are not familiar with. I’m hoping it helps me reach new audiences and signal a new direction in the genre,” he said.

At 27, Phantom Serge balances his musical career with academic achievements. He holds two degrees in Journalism and Media Studies, graduating top of his class in 2022 with a BSc. He earned multiple accolades, including the Zimpapers Best Student Award, Vice Chancellor’s Award, and Best Graduating Student Award. He completed a Master’s degree in Journalism in 2024, again receiving recognition for excellence.

With a growing presence in Zimbabwe’s Afro House scene, a soon-to-be-released mixtape, and a strong academic foundation, Phantom Serge is a talent to watch. His rise reflects both the potential of Zimbabwean DJs and the evolving Afro House movement in the country.