Langelihle Dube, [email protected]
FOR years, Ashton Gumbo, popularly known as DJ Ash T, has carved out a place in Bulawayo’s entertainment scene through music, events and experiences that bring house music lovers together.
Through Bulawayo Exclusive Events and the popular Garden of House events, he has established himself as both a DJ and event organiser. Now, with the upcoming release of his Ngomane EP, Ash T is ready to reveal another dimension of his artistry: music production and storytelling through sound.
The Bulawayo-based creative is taking a significant step in his musical journey with the project, scheduled for release on October 23, 2026. More than an extension of his work behind the decks, the EP is a personal expression of his identity, cultural heritage and evolution as a house music artiste.
“Ngomane is my totem, and to me, it represents my identity, my roots, and who I am,” he said.
“I wanted this EP to be a true reflection of who I am, both as an individual and as an artist. Naming it Ngomane felt natural because this project is deeply personal. It’s more than just music; it’s a piece of my identity, my heritage, and my story told through sound.”
The title establishes the foundation of a project anchored in personal identity, with his cultural heritage informing the music and providing a deeper meaning to his creative expression.
For Ash T, the release also presents an opportunity to challenge the perception of him as primarily a DJ and events organiser, demonstrating that his relationship with music extends beyond selecting tracks and entertaining audiences.
His journey began in 2009 when he and his friends would challenge one another to discover new music. What started as an informal exchange of tracks gradually developed into a passion for DJing, culminating in his first gig at Bulawayo’s Club 40Forty in 2012.
Years of performing for diverse audiences have since sharpened his understanding of music, its rhythms and its ability to bring people together. He is now drawing on that experience to develop a sound that reflects his own artistic vision.
“With Ngomane, I wanted to go beyond just playing music and show people my creative side,” he said.
“Most people know me as Ash T the DJ, but this project introduces them to Ash T the producer.”
The EP emerged from his desire to express himself beyond live performances, evolving from experiments with different sounds into a project that captures his artistic growth and enduring passion for house music.
While his experience behind the decks has influenced his approach to production, Ash T has also given himself the freedom to explore new creative possibilities without being confined by audience expectations.
His challenge has been to strike a balance between producing music that resonates on the dance floor and remaining authentic to his identity as an artiste.
Beyond personal expression, Ash T hopes the project will help raise the international profile of Zimbabwean house music, demonstrating that local artistes can create sounds that appeal to global audiences while retaining their cultural identity.
“I believe Zimbabwe has incredible talent, and our house music deserves to be heard on a global stage,” he said.
“With Ngomane, my intention was to create music that can connect with people anywhere in the world without losing my identity.”
The ambition builds on his contribution to Bulawayo’s entertainment industry, where he has helped create platforms for music lovers and local talent through Bulawayo Exclusive Events and Garden of House.
Launched in 2022, Garden of House has grown into one of Bulawayo’s prominent house music and lifestyle events, further strengthening Ash T’s reputation as an event curator and contributor to the city’s entertainment landscape.
However, venturing into music production while maintaining his responsibilities as a DJ and event organiser has required careful management of competing demands on his time.
“One of the biggest challenges with Ngomane was balancing music production with my responsibilities as a DJ and event curator,” he said.
“But that journey pushed me creatively and reminded me why I fell in love with house music in the first place.”
Having spent years playing and promoting other artistes’ music, Ash T is now seeking to make his own contribution to the genre, establishing himself as a producer with a distinct creative identity.
“I’ve spent years playing and promoting house music, and now it’s time to contribute my own sound to the industry,” he said.
“This is just the beginning, and there’s a lot more music to come.”
