The Sound Cartel, a fast-rising DJ and live-performance duo from Limpopo, is earning attention for a style built on chemistry, discipline and a commitment to connecting with the crowd.
The pair — Mulisa Mukwevho, known as DJ Fermino, and Ronny Masinya, known as DJ Rhonza — met while working as resident DJs at Solly's Café and Carwash. "We met there and that was when we saw that we had this talent," they said. Their partnership grew naturally, fuelled by a shared passion for entertaining people. "We enjoyed watching people dancing and having fun. We loved specialising and making new friends," they explained.
The duo's performances stand out for their focus on audience energy. "When we played our set, we made sure we connected with the audience because when we played we did not play for ourselves but for our audience," they said. Their sets often blend DJ-ing with live electronic drums, a combination that has become a signature of their sound. Audiences respond with enthusiasm, "by cheering up and making us give them more of the music and the drums."
Preparation and practice are central to their approach. "We made sure that we practised before our set and made sure that our communication was perfect," they said. Earlier residencies helped them refine their craft. "Being around the crowd taught us about what people liked and what they needed from us. We did not ignore what we observed, and that is why we're here today," they noted.
Motivated by bringing happiness to others, they added, "Our lives were to see people happy." While breaking into the industry brought challenges, the duo maintain a positive outlook. Looking ahead, they hope to collaborate with Kyotic and Shebe, promising "more music and more fun coming up" in 2026.