MBABANE – South African sensation DJ Young headlined the Soul and R&B Picnic at Manzini Club on December 29.
Following weeks of mounting hype, the Pretoria-born maestro Moloko Manganyi, known as DJ Young, lived up to his reputation as a fired-up old-school specialist. Performing to a sea of fans adhering to the ‘White Tops and Blue Jeans’ dress code, DJ Young took the stage at exactly 9pm and curated a set that balanced timeless classics with the sophisticated house-infused soul that has become his signature.
He played several timeless R&B songs released as early as 2004, including ‘Best Thing I Never Had’, ‘Still’ and ‘The Weakness In Me’.
Despite the inclement weather, fans arrived in large numbers to witness DJ Young play old-school hits on stage.
This performance marked DJ Young’s second appearance in Eswatini this year, a return prompted by overwhelming public demand after his previous visit.
“His fans wanted more, and bringing him back for the festive season was the only way to close out the year properly,” said Sbu De Drum DJ, the event organiser said.
The set list was a meticulous journey through the golden eras of R&B and Soul, interspersed with the rhythmic depth that reflects his upbringing in the mid-2000s house scene.
Having shared stages with icons like Zonke, Ringo Madlingozi and Lamiez Holworthy, his technical precision and ability to read the crowd were evident from the first transition.
The event, which began at 10am, was designed as a multi-generational family-friendly affair.
While the music catered to the connoisseurs, the atmosphere was one of community and relaxation. The event featured a relaxed daytime energy that transitioned into a high-octane evening celebration.
DJ Young was supported by a star-studded line-up of local artists including Cybos, Uncle Karly, Chester, DJ MBO, Master P, Mixmash, Zulu D, Tibza and Crooks, who performed before the main set.
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