He is one of the radio's fan favorites on Y FM. TV presenter, music producer, and DJ Supta, real name Siyabulela Sithole, also recently bagged a deal with a massive partnership with a car brand after he was involved in a car crash. This year, he celebrates 10 years at Y FM and looks back at how he almost gave up on his dream.
He has worked on the country's biggest hits, such as co-producing the multi-award-winning single Gugulethu with Prince Kaybee. DJ Supta has also worked with the likes of Lady Zamar, DJ Tira, Thabsie, the Afro Brothers, and Ndlovukazi. This year, he marks 10 years at Y FM and says his success is long overdue. He is ready to position himself as a global brand and artist.
It's been a rocky one, but also fulfilling. Finding myself and my identity within the industry. It took him time to find his brand and his positioning. "I tried so many ways, but it always comes back to me believing in myself and trusting myself." For many years, he was the underdog, working behind the scenes and not getting his shine. "It took time to blow up and be recognized, but I am so grateful for the slow progress. It has taught me a lot, and I have built networks and relationships. It's taught me to be consistent. It really took a while, but it was really worth it." There's been times when he wanted to give up and things were tough. "There were plenty of times when I thought I wouldn't make it, and maybe I should go back to my comfort zone in Bloemfontein and do radio there, as I had established myself there. Of course, I almost gave up," he said. But he persisted and chose patience. In 2019, when Prince Kaybee released Gugulethu, which he co-produced, things changed. "That was the game-changer for me. It put my name out there; people started seeing the name Supta and taking me seriously as an artist, and it changed my music career."
This year, he celebrates 10 years at Y FM. He started his radio journey at Takalani Community Radio station back home in Aliwal North before moving to Kofifi FM and Motheo FM in Bloemfontein while he was studying for his degree in corporate marketing and communications at the University of the Free State. He then left and worked at YFM after graduating, where he has been thriving since. "Celebrating 10 years is a milestone?"an entire decade of entertaining listeners. I feel like this is just the beginning."
MAKING MUSIC
He is currently promoting his single, Kuzolunga, which is topping the chart and in the top 10 of most searched songs on Shazam, leading up to his album that he will be releasing at the end of the year. "It was done amazingly well and is one of the biggest songs currently in the country."
