DJ Tira Biography: Age, Family, Education, Career, Awards, Wife, Controversy, Cars

DJ Tira, is a South African DJ, record producer, Durban kwaito artist and a founder of a record label called Afrotainment. DJ Tira is one of those who discovered Gqom music genre which became popular around 2017.

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In 1996 he developed the interest of Djing while he was still in varsity and started playing as a DJ. Around 2001 he released his first record named Real Makoya, which is a compilation album along with DJ Khabzela. 

Here's a look at the life of one of Mzansi's favourite DJs.

Mthokozi Khathi was born 24 August 1976 in KwaHlabisa Village located in KwaZulu-Natal. He moved from the village to Durban in 1979.

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Mthokozi was a delightful and quiet young boy who loved cycling and video games. His mother’s name is Abigail and the two had a very close relationship.
DJ Tira is quite the family man who would do anything for his kids. The time he gets off his busy schedule he spends it with his family as they are such a close knit family.

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Growing up, DJ Tira was also crazy about soccer. Him and his friends often disregarded the curfew his mother gave them in the afternoons saying that was the exact time their game got warmed up and exciting.

Mthokozi did his high school education at Mlokothwa High School, a boarding school in. It was at this time that his love for music became visible. He started buying music cassettes and was such a huge Boys To Men fan. At school, he was highly involved in the entertainment section organising movies that were watched over weekends and dance music for the school’s fun evenings. 

Tira then enrolled for a BSoc Science degree at the then-University of Natal (now the University of KwaZulu-Natal). At second year, he was already a DJ at Durban Youth Radio (DYR) and he was very popular with the radio listeners. 

DJ Tira in 1996 he developed the interest of Djing while he was still in varsity and started playing as a DJ. In 2001 he released his first record named Real Makoya, which is a compilation album along with DJ Khabzela.

In 2005 he was signed by Oskido's Kalawa Jazzmee. He performed under the group named Tzozo En Professor and later formed Durban's Finest together with Sox which also was under Kalawa Jazzme Records. Dj Tira has history with Oskido as he is the one who signed him in his first music contract, since then Dj Tira became a star. He established Ezase Afro which fell under Kalawa then he went solo later.

Tira and Sox together they released a series albums named under Durban's Finest. In 2007 DJ Tira launched his recording studio Afrotainment and signed DJ Cndo as the first artist under Afrotainment. Since he was working at his own production, he became a music producer. Later the same year DJ Tira signed kwaito group Big Nuz after relocating from Johannesburg to their origin, Durban.

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Well, known for signing artists he sees have got talent, 2019 saw DJ Tira take the Qwabe twins under his wings. After the twins' dramatic exit from Idols SA, DJ Tira made the call for the twins to join him in studio.

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Although he didn't sign the twins under Afrotainment, they produced fireworks together.

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2004: Durban Finest in Metro FM Best Compilation Album.
2005: Durban Finest in Metro FM Best Compilation Album.
2008: Mzansi Star Best Club Dj Award
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
2018: Nominated for Dance Music Awards South Africa Best Live Act

The DJ had worked so hard to get to where he is today and he's also got the recognition for it too. In 2019, he was won the award for the GQ Best Dressed and he couldn't be more grateful.

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The DJ is married to Gugu Khathi. The two had an Umabo ceremony in October 2016 at the DJ’s home in KwaZulu-Natal. DJ Tira and Gugu Khathi now have three children; two boys, Junior and Chase and one daughter, Gigi.

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The two love birds surely have their fashion game on point and they always look good at any event they got to. Be it formal or casual they never miss.

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Now who doesn't love a man in a suit? No doubt the DJ knows how to rock a suit and here's the proof.

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DJ Tira and Mampintsha had always been good friends from the time they were part of the same group 'Big Nuz'.  It was only up until they decided to go their separate ways and Mampintsha created the West Ink label. Their relationship was said to be on the rocks after the West Ink boss allegedly tweaked Babes Wodumo's booking fee when Tira requested her for a gig. However, DJ Tira later came out to clear the air and confirmed that the two were now on good terms.

When the news of Babes Wodumo's alleged abuse by Mampintsha, DJ Tira was accused by many for having done nothing about it. The DJ later explained that he was not aware of what was going, but he did later on try to lend a helping hand to Babes and Mampintsha. 

The DJ has been seen to drive some very expensive porsche cars and he added a R2 million Range Rover to his collection.

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From the look of things, the DJ seems to be doing well and whenever he goes into studio, he does not disappoint.


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Main image credit: Instagram/djtira