Mkhuseli Sizani
Olwethu “Celeb Ozz” Jokana lived under a dark cloud because he couldn’t get an ID – but music became his silver lining.
Celeb Ozz from Govan Mbeki Township, Port Elizabeth, is taking the music world by storm after losing an opportunity to write his matric in 2018 because he didn’t have a birth certificate and ID.
But then the opportunity came his way when he appeared on Umhlobo Wenene’s popular breakfast show known as BEE. On Friday he will feature on the show for the fifth time.
Speaking to Scrolla.Africa on Wednesday he said he learnt to be a DJ in 2017. He started out at Themba’s Tavern which belonged to his late uncle when he asked the resident DJs to teach him how to spin discs.
“This helped me a lot. Drugs and alcohol abuse was too much in the area and I wanted to live a clean life. The same year I got my first gig in Marselle township.”
But after finishing grade 11 his life came to a standstill.
“In 2018 I couldn’t register for matric because I didn’t have a birth certificate. My mother also used a different surname because she was married to another man. I lost the year while she was battling to fix the problem,” he said.
Celeb Ozz waited until the end of the year to get an ID.
“In 2019 I approached DJ Pastor of the BEE and he gave me a slot after viewing my work. Since then I have been getting gigs all over the province including Western Cape, corporate events, interviews with community radio stations like NkqubelaFM and Bay TV.”
“Being on the popular BEE show has been the highlight of my career. It has opened many doors for me. I want to become one of the best music producers in the country and be a role model for the youth. But first, I must finish my matric.”
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