DJ Yessonia set for a big year
BY Martha Nangombe
2022 proved to be a breakout year for DJ Yessonia who rose to prominence and dominated a number of regional and international awards ceremonies.
Born Sonia Shalukeni, DJ Yessonia flew the Namibian flag high last year on the international stage where she won the Best African DJ, Best Female DJ and Best Female Artiste in South Africa to name just a few.
To date, Yessonia has won three International Awards and holds 11 nominations under her belt.
She also performed alongside internationally recorgnised artistes in Koffi Olomide in Windhoek and Rick Ross in Zimbabwe.
Speaking to Confidente, DJ Yessonia said 2022 had been a fulfilling year where her hard work paid off and 2023 would be her year to dance with the stars.
“In a short period of time, I have seen my hard working paying off whereby I managed of perform with some of the biggest stars in the world. I managed to record and put my music out there and it is motivating to see that my efforts are being rewarded.
I have such a short career but already have done major gigs with well-known artists,” she said.
“Now that I am settled, music lovers should look forward to greater than before events where my brand will fly high.
If I managed 10 Award nominations in my first year, then my second year will bring more achievements,” she said.
DJ Yessonia’s hard work does not end in the studio as she also focuses on gender-based violence initiatives and empowering vulnerable women to start up small businesses.
“We also have a lot of children who have been abandoned or at orphanages, so I spend a portion of my time seeing how I can make a change-one child at a time,” she said.
DJ Yessonia is booked to perform on the first Amapiano Luxury Cruise in March, where she will rub shoulders with South Africa’s big entertainment names such as Cassper Nyovest, Somizi, Boohle and Murumba Pitch.
Producer and owner of TNA Music Entertainment Shimbayu Chivuyo who is DJ Yessonias’s manager expressed his pride in her and said she had been busy working on releasing her album.
“You can expect a lot more projects from Yessonia, she will be dropping her first album this year and also has two Extended Play (EP) are ready. She will also be doing some Brand Ambassadorship and is currently working on a documentary as well as some animation,” he said.
Meanwhile, TNA Music Entertainment is working on setting up a DJ school in Windhoek.
“The team is renovating a warehouse and has ordered the equipment for the school to set up a large studio for scouting new talent and grooming upcoming DJs in Namibia,” said DJ Yessonia, who is one of the founders.