Online Reporter
BULAWAYO-born DJ Dooley Ibrahim, whose real name is Abdul Ibrahim Zimba, has spent nearly two decades shaping and sharing deep soulful house music, a journey that began in his family living room surrounded by his father’s cherished collection of vinyl records and cassette tapes.
Raised in Nketa, Ibrahim says music was never something he consciously discovered, but rather something that naturally became part of his life. Long before professional turntables, club residencies and packed dancefloors, his earliest lessons came from FM radio broadcasts, stacks of vinyl records and an innate curiosity that would later define his career.
“I grew up around my father’s vinyl and cassette collection. It gave me a deep appreciation for music. It exposed me to different genres and inspired my passion for DJing from an early age,” he said.
By the time he reached high school, Ibrahim was already experimenting with sound, “mixing” music using two DVD players — a modest yet crucial stage in his development that sharpened his understanding of timing, rhythm and musical flow.
“Mixing on two DVD players taught me timing, song selection, and creativity. It showed me that understanding music is more important than having expensive equipment,” he said.
A defining moment in his journey came in 2006 when he performed at a family gathering without proper DJ equipment, an experience that fundamentally changed his understanding of what it means to be a DJ.
“That experience revealed that DJing is about reading the crowd and creating an atmosphere, not just the gear you use,” he said.
His transition into the professional scene was further accelerated through his collaboration with renowned industry figure Bongani Dube, popularly known as Deeper Mr Stripes, whom Ibrahim credits with opening important doors and helping shape his professional discipline.
“Working with Deeper Mr Stripes opened doors into the professional scene. I learnt discipline, networking, music knowledge, and the importance of respecting the culture. We also taught each other to mix on vinyl,” he said.
In 2014, Ibrahim co-founded Chronicles Of House Nation, a platform established to unite Bulawayo’s underground house music community while providing emerging talent with opportunities to showcase their abilities.
“The underground house scene was passionate, but lacked consistent platforms. We created Chronicles Of House Nation to unite artistes, grow the community, showcase quality deep house music, and give unrecognised talent a chance to showcase their skills,” he said.
Over the years, Ibrahim has held several residencies and performed at major events across Bulawayo, witnessing first-hand the evolution and growth of the city’s house music culture.
“The scene has grown significantly, with more talented DJs, producers, events, and appreciation for underground sounds than when I started in 2007,” he said.
He added that Bulawayo’s expanding house music culture has been driven by influential movements and platforms such as House in the CBD, Garden of House and Marvel House Marketplace, among others.
Beyond the club scene, Ibrahim has also built a reputation as a custodian of deep house culture through The Underclub Sessions.
, a platform dedicated to rare vinyl selections and immersive late-night musical storytelling.
“I wanted a space where music could be appreciated without commercial pressures. The Underclub Sessions help preserve timeless music and introduce listeners to rare gems,” he said.
From recording songs off FM radio as a youngster to reaching international audiences through platforms such as YouTube, Hearthis.at and Apple Podcasts, Ibrahim says technology has transformed the way DJs connect with listeners.
“Technology has made it easier to reach global audiences. What once stayed local can now be shared instantly with listeners anywhere in the world. The good numbers on my Hearthis.at platform is a clear testimony,” he said.
For Ibrahim, DJing is far more than entertainment — it is a form of cultural preservation and storytelling that connects people through shared musical experiences.
“DJs are cultural storytellers. We connect people through music, preserve musical heritage, and create experiences that bring communities together,” he said.
Looking to the future, Ibrahim hopes his journey from the streets of Nketa to international digital audiences will inspire a new generation of DJs to remain authentic, dedicated and passionate about their craft.
“I hope to inspire the next generation to stay authentic, value the craft, and believe that talent and dedication can take them from places like Nketa to the world,” he said.
