He is a South African DJ, record producer, and Durban kwaito artist. DJ Tira is also a founder of a record label called Afrotainment. The DJ discovered the music genre Gqom.
A household name in all of Msanzi, DJ Tira knows all about music. Founder of the Afrotainment record label, Kwaito artist, and a Gqom pioneer, he's come a long way since he started as a DJ in 1996. Here's his biography.
DJ Tira was born Mthokozi Khathi in KwaHlabisa Village, located in KwaZulu-Natal on 24th August 1976. While still a young boy he moved from the village to Durban in 1979. DJ Tira’s age is now 45.
Described as a delightful and quiet young boy, Mthokozi enjoyed cycling and video games. He grew up very close to his mother, Abigail. DJ Tira was also crazy about soccer as a young boy, and along with friends, he'd often disregard the curfew his mother gave them. According to him, that was the exact time the game got exciting.
Yes, Mthokozi completed his high school education at Mlokothwa High School, where he was a boarder. It was at this time that he discovered his love for music. Tira then pursued a Bachelor's in Social Science degree at the University of Natal (now the University of KwaZulu-Natal), and by his second year, he was already a DJ at the Durban Youth Radio (DYR). Radio listeners already knew him very well.
In school, he bought music cassettes to stay entertained and was a huge fan of the band, Boys To Men. HDJ Tira developed an interest in deejaying in 1996, while he was still in university. He did gigs for small events, university parties, and weddings. This was when he established M1 Entertainment.
In 2001, he released his first record named Real Makoya, which is a compilation album in collaboration with the late DJ Khabzela. Around that time, he also won the Smirnoff South Africa DJ Competition.
In 2005, he formed the group Tzozo En Professor and was signed by Oskido's Kalawa Jazzmee. He managed to release three compilations. He (Oskido) was also very involved in the entertainment section at school too. He organized weekend movie nights and dance music for the school's fun evenings.
He then formed Durban's Finest together with Sox, also under Kalawa Jazzme Records.
Dj Tira and Oskido have a long history together. He was the one who signed him in his first music contract, and Dj Tira has become a star since then. Tira later established Ezase Afro, which fell under Kalawa but soon afterwards, he went solo. Tira and Sox also worked together a lot and together released a series of albums under Durban's Finest.
DJ is well-known for having an eye for talent. In 2019, he took the Qwabe twins under his wings. After witnessing their dramatic exit from Idols SA, DJ Tira asked them to join him at his studio, and that's when the magic began, and although he didn't sign the twins under Afrotainment, they produced amazing music together.
In 2007, DJ Tira launched his very own recording studio Afrotainment and DJ Cndo was signed as the first DJ under his label. That same year DJ Tira signed kwaito group Big Nuz after relocating from Johannesburg to their origin, Durban.
In 2008, DJ Tira released his first project under his record label Ezase AfroVol:1. The album has guest appearances from the likes of Big Nuz, Bricks, Daddy and Joocy of Afrosoul. The album was a hit and sold over 20,000 copies.
DJ Tira released his fourth studio album, 21 Years of DJ Tira on 24th August 2020. The Recording Industry of South Africa (RISA) certified the album platinum. Less than a year later, in June 2021, he released his fifth studio album titled Rockstar Forever. The album features a host of musicians, including the Q Twins, Mampintsha, Joocy, Makhadzi, Western Boyz, Jumbo, Prince Bulo, Biza Wethu, Worst Behavior, and a whole lot more. It ranked first on the iTunes SA charts.
Some popular DJ Tira songs that have been ruling the charts include:
Nguwe: From his 2020 album 21 Years of DJ Tira, this is one of DJ Tira’s latest songs that also features Nomcebo Zikode, Joocy, and Prince Bolo.
Thank You Mr DJ: This 2019 release from the album IKhenani features a guest appearance by Joocy and was produced under the EzaseAfro label.
The Q twins and DJ Tira Hamba: This is a QTwins special from their album Gift of Love, 2020. DJ Tira makes a significant appearance in this one.
Uthando: This hit from the 2019 album Ikhenani features Joocy, Duncan, Beast, and Kwesta.
DJ Tira's wife is Gugu Khathi. The two tied the knot in an Umabo ceremony in October 2016 at the DJ's home in KwaZulu-Natal. DJ Tira and Gugu Khathi have three children - two boys, Junior and Chase, and one daughter named Gigi.
The couple is known to be very close and strong and even have their fashion game on point. They are always decked out at any event, be it formal or casual.
DJ Tira is quite the family man who goes above and beyond for his kids. He spends his free time with his family and makes sure they are close-knit. He even encourages and supports their interest in deejaying, even though he admits that the industry is cruel.
DJ isn't just a musician. The man has a good eye for business. He decided to venture into the chicken business during the country’s lockdown as the gigs he got were less and less which means he only had a little source of income.
DJ Tira’s car collection is quite impressive. He has been seen driving a very expensive Porsche convertible. He added an R2 million Range Rover SVR Sport to his collection. He also owns a silver BMW.
DJ Tira’s Instagram account contains a few pictures of the artist's swanky house and massive yard where he keeps fit during the lockdown. There are videos of him jogging around his property, and it's obvious that it is a multi-million Rand dwelling.
With his hit songs, successful record label, and memorable legacy in the music industry, DJ Tira has made a fortune over the decades. He is said to be worth about $2.2 million as of 2021.
Some awards & recognitions garnered by DJ Tira are:
2020: Won Special Achievement Award at the 1st KZN Entertainment Awards.
2019: Won GQ Best Dressed Award.
2018: Nominated for Best Live Act at the Dance Music Awards South Africa.
2004: Durban Finest Vol:1 wins Best Compilation Album at the AMFMA.
2010: Umlilo Big Nuz feat. Tira was nominated for the South African Music Award Song of the Year.
2010: Party 101 Teargas feat. Tira was nominated under Channel O Video of the Year Award
2010: South African Music Award Song of the Year
2008: Mzansi Star Best Club Dj Award
How much is DJ Tira net worth?
As of 2021, DJ Tira is said to be worth about $2.2 million, owing to his record label and hit songs.
Is DJ Tira educated?
Yes, DJ Tira has a Bachelor’s in Social Science degree from the University of Natal.
Where is DJ Tira originally from?
DJ Tira was born in KwaHlabisa Village, Kwa-Zulu Natal, SA. He later moved to Durban as a young boy and grew up there.
Who is DJ Tira’s wife?
Gugu Khathi is DJ Tira’s wife.
He is a South African DJ, record producer, and Durban kwaito artist. DJ Tira is also a founder of a record label called Afrotainment. The DJ discovered the music genre Gqom.
A household name in all of Msanzi, DJ Tira knows all about music. Founder of the Afrotainment record label, Kwaito artist, and a Gqom pioneer, he's come a long way since he started as a DJ in 1996. Here's his biography.
DJ Tira was born Mthokozi Khathi in KwaHlabisa Village, located in KwaZulu-Natal on 24th August 1976. While still a young boy he moved from the village to Durban in 1979. DJ Tira’s age is now 45.
Described as a delightful and quiet young boy, Mthokozi enjoyed cycling and video games. He grew up very close to his mother, Abigail. DJ Tira was also crazy about soccer as a young boy, and along with friends, he'd often disregard the curfew his mother gave them. According to him, that was the exact time the game got exciting.
Yes, Mthokozi completed his high school education at Mlokothwa High School, where he was a boarder. It was at this time that he discovered his love for music. Tira then pursued a Bachelor's in Social Science degree at the University of Natal (now the University of KwaZulu-Natal), and by his second year, he was already a DJ at the Durban Youth Radio (DYR). Radio listeners already knew him very well.
In school, he bought music cassettes to stay entertained and was a huge fan of the band, Boys To Men. HDJ Tira developed an interest in deejaying in 1996, while he was still in university. He did gigs for small events, university parties, and weddings. This was when he established M1 Entertainment.
In 2001, he released his first record named Real Makoya, which is a compilation album in collaboration with the late DJ Khabzela. Around that time, he also won the Smirnoff South Africa DJ Competition.
In 2005, he formed the group Tzozo En Professor and was signed by Oskido's Kalawa Jazzmee. He managed to release three compilations. He (Oskido) was also very involved in the entertainment section at school too. He organized weekend movie nights and dance music for the school's fun evenings.
He then formed Durban's Finest together with Sox, also under Kalawa Jazzme Records.
Dj Tira and Oskido have a long history together. He was the one who signed him in his first music contract, and Dj Tira has become a star since then. Tira later established Ezase Afro, which fell under Kalawa but soon afterwards, he went solo. Tira and Sox also worked together a lot and together released a series of albums under Durban's Finest.
DJ is well-known for having an eye for talent. In 2019, he took the Qwabe twins under his wings. After witnessing their dramatic exit from Idols SA, DJ Tira asked them to join him at his studio, and that's when the magic began, and although he didn't sign the twins under Afrotainment, they produced amazing music together.
In 2007, DJ Tira launched his very own recording studio Afrotainment and DJ Cndo was signed as the first DJ under his label. That same year DJ Tira signed kwaito group Big Nuz after relocating from Johannesburg to their origin, Durban.
In 2008, DJ Tira released his first project under his record label Ezase AfroVol:1. The album has guest appearances from the likes of Big Nuz, Bricks, Daddy and Joocy of Afrosoul. The album was a hit and sold over 20,000 copies.
DJ Tira released his fourth studio album, 21 Years of DJ Tira on 24th August 2020. The Recording Industry of South Africa (RISA) certified the album platinum. Less than a year later, in June 2021, he released his fifth studio album titled Rockstar Forever. The album features a host of musicians, including the Q Twins, Mampintsha, Joocy, Makhadzi, Western Boyz, Jumbo, Prince Bulo, Biza Wethu, Worst Behavior, and a whole lot more. It ranked first on the iTunes SA charts.
Some popular DJ Tira songs that have been ruling the charts include:
Nguwe: From his 2020 album 21 Years of DJ Tira, this is one of DJ Tira’s latest songs that also features Nomcebo Zikode, Joocy, and Prince Bolo.
Thank You Mr DJ: This 2019 release from the album IKhenani features a guest appearance by Joocy and was produced under the EzaseAfro label.
The Q twins and DJ Tira Hamba: This is a QTwins special from their album Gift of Love, 2020. DJ Tira makes a significant appearance in this one.
Uthando: This hit from the 2019 album Ikhenani features Joocy, Duncan, Beast, and Kwesta.
DJ Tira's wife is Gugu Khathi. The two tied the knot in an Umabo ceremony in October 2016 at the DJ's home in KwaZulu-Natal. DJ Tira and Gugu Khathi have three children - two boys, Junior and Chase, and one daughter named Gigi.
The couple is known to be very close and strong and even have their fashion game on point. They are always decked out at any event, be it formal or casual.
DJ Tira is quite the family man who goes above and beyond for his kids. He spends his free time with his family and makes sure they are close-knit. He even encourages and supports their interest in deejaying, even though he admits that the industry is cruel.
DJ isn't just a musician. The man has a good eye for business. He decided to venture into the chicken business during the country’s lockdown as the gigs he got were less and less which means he only had a little source of income.
DJ Tira’s car collection is quite impressive. He has been seen driving a very expensive Porsche convertible. He added an R2 million Range Rover SVR Sport to his collection. He also owns a silver BMW.
DJ Tira’s Instagram account contains a few pictures of the artist's swanky house and massive yard where he keeps fit during the lockdown. There are videos of him jogging around his property, and it's obvious that it is a multi-million Rand dwelling.
With his hit songs, successful record label, and memorable legacy in the music industry, DJ Tira has made a fortune over the decades. He is said to be worth about $2.2 million as of 2021.
Some awards & recognitions garnered by DJ Tira are:
2020: Won Special Achievement Award at the 1st KZN Entertainment Awards.
2019: Won GQ Best Dressed Award.
2018: Nominated for Best Live Act at the Dance Music Awards South Africa.
2004: Durban Finest Vol:1 wins Best Compilation Album at the AMFMA.
2010: Umlilo Big Nuz feat. Tira was nominated for the South African Music Award Song of the Year.
2010: Party 101 Teargas feat. Tira was nominated under Channel O Video of the Year Award
2010: South African Music Award Song of the Year
2008: Mzansi Star Best Club Dj Award
How much is DJ Tira net worth?
As of 2021, DJ Tira is said to be worth about $2.2 million, owing to his record label and hit songs.
Is DJ Tira educated?
Yes, DJ Tira has a Bachelor’s in Social Science degree from the University of Natal.
Where is DJ Tira originally from?
DJ Tira was born in KwaHlabisa Village, Kwa-Zulu Natal, SA. He later moved to Durban as a young boy and grew up there.
Who is DJ Tira’s wife?
Gugu Khathi is DJ Tira’s wife.
