Meant to be a doctor, Local DJ chose the decks instead
'We couldn't stop you'. These words, spoken by his mom, echo the determination of DJ HFLY, who was once told to trade in his turntables for a stethoscope, but just couldn't do it.
The wait is over, and Harry Imoru, popularly known as DJ HFLY’s, fans are finally getting the new music they’ve been eagerly anticipating.
DJ HFLY, from Fourways, dropped his latest single: Ngamadla Revisit, which he says is a powerful anthem that showcases his growth as an artist, and his ability to craft infectious beats that get crowds moving and grooving.
He said Ngamadla Revisit is more than just a song; it’s a story of struggle, perseverance, and triumph that he tells to people listening to his music. DJ HFLY said he draws inspiration from his own life experiences, weaving them into the fabric of his music to create a narrative that’s both personal and relatable.
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His love for music started at a young age, and he’s been spinning tracks ever since. From his early days as a self-taught DJ to his current status as a rising star, DJ HFLY admits it has been a journey worth reflecting on.
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“My music journey started way back in high school,” he said. “My teacher, at the time, used to say to me: ‘Harry, you dress so fly.’ And the class and school started calling me ‘Harry Fly’ because of the way I dressed. I was the school DJ, MC, and dancer – my other name was even ‘MC Hammer,’ which is funny now. I was a self-taught DJ on the turntables and one of the youngest DJs and dancers allowed to perform in clubs. My drive was unbelievable. I was hanging around much older DJs, learning more techniques and getting groomed. I entered lots of DJ and dancing competitions.
“But that dream was stopped by my parents, who were against my lifestyle as a DJ and wanted me to finish school and become a doctor. I ended up studying sports science to please them and became a sports specialist and personal trainer. But it kept hurting me, until about 10 years ago, when I decided to go study pro DJing and music production, and my dreams were set on fire again. I remember my mom saying: ‘We couldn’t stop you, hey?’”
When it comes to collaborations, DJ HFLY looks for artists with a similar energy and drive. “If I’m feeling your energy, nothing will stop me from collaborating with you.” Some of his notable collaborations include working with Thato ‘DJ Fresh’ Sikwane, Fab G, Little Moore, KayMo Grillz, and Bless Dela Sol.
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DJ HFLY’s partnership with DJ Fresh is particularly special. The two met at the gym and became friends, and Fresh later mentored DJ HFLY on how to approach bigger platforms and techniques that can’t be learnt in school.
“My goal, and inspiration, for my music career is to collaborate with international artists, play in big name clubs around the world, and leave an unforgettable benchmark. I am experimenting with a few styles, under amapiano, which you can hear on my upcoming EP, dropping May 30.”
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