ThabisoNdwandwe known to audiences as Obsession has built a career that bridges the classroom and the dancefloor.
The 31-year-old is the second of five siblings. He spent most of his childhood in Tshaneni where his parents worked.
He later moved to Buhleni his hometown for high school and is now based in Mbabane. His stage name grew from a deep love of music that has guided every step of his journey.
Music sat at the centre of family life. His father was a musician and the young Thabiso absorbed the sounds around him from primary school onwards.
By the time he reached his first year at the University of Eswatini in 2017 he had begun teaching himself to DJ. The move from listener to performer felt natural yet it demanded discipline and late nights of practice.
His first public appearance came at a Campus DJs competition on the university grounds. Standing in front of a crowd he felt the familiar rush of nerves. He wondered whether the dancers would respond to the music he had chosen. The night passed and the experience left its mark.
Composure
Another early memory stays with him for different reasons. While still using a DJ controller linked to a laptop the machine shut down mid-set. He had to restart the entire setup under the eyes of the room. The moment tested his composure and taught him to prepare for the unexpected.
Early bookings clustered around Manzini. Ekhayeni Chillaz and Solanis became regular venues when those spots still drew lively crowds. The gigs helped him refine his approach. As a three-step DJ he selects tracks that share a clear sonic direction.
Percussion-driven songs mixed with acapellas give him room to shape each set with creativity rather than pure volume.
Mancoba Msibi of The Lion King Studios played a major part in lifting the Obsession brand.
Steady support from people who believed in the project helped turn local recognition into something more solid. Building that foundation has not been simple.
Establishing a recognisable name both at home and abroad remains his greatest challenge. The international market is difficult to enter and securing bookings outside Eswatini requires persistence and patience.
His sound sits firmly in Afro-House with a focus on the three-step subgenre. The style rewards careful selection and live interpretation. Recent international attention means a great deal to him.
He knows how hard it is to break through beyond national borders so every overseas opportunity feels like proof that the work is registering.
Away from the booth he keeps life quiet. He is not especially outgoing. When he is not performing he stays indoors watching television. Comedies and podcasts fill the hours and help him switch off.
He is in a relationship and values the support his partner offers. Balancing public work with private time is never easy.
Weekends disappear into gigs and travel yet the relationship has remained steady.
Few people realise that Obsession is also a qualified high school teacher. The dual identity gives him a grounded perspective. Teaching demands structure and patience while DJing rewards instinct and energy. He carries lessons from both worlds into every set.
Looking ahead he holds clear ambitions. Tomorrow land sits at the top of his festival wish list. He would welcome the chance to collaborate with Jazzworld and Thukuthela. Among Swati artists he currently favours Sarnilo.
When the night needs a closing track he reaches for Dlala Thukzin and Zaba’s ‘Iplan’. The advice he carries closest is simple: Keep the circle small and focus on yourself.
Had the decks never called he believes he would have pursued football. He played soccer seriously in earlier years and still feels the pull of the game. Music won out yet the competitive edge remains.
Refine
From Tshaneni childhood days to Mbabane studios and stages across the region Obsession continues to refine his craft.
The path has included technical failures nervous first sets and the slow work of brand building. It has also included loyal support international recognition and a steady partner who understands the demands of the calendar. At 31, he stands at a point where local roots and wider ambition meet. The three-step grooves keep moving forward and so does he.
