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PERHAPS local house DJ, Victor Bravo is probably one of Bulawayo’s best kept secrets. With a career spanning three decades, the 51-year-old has had the opportunity of playing alongside Africa’s finest artistes, such as South Africa’s DJ Zinhle, DJ Fresh, Liquideep, Beatenberg and Black Coffee.
Sunday Leisure Correspondent Mbongeni Msimanga (MM) had a brief chat with the rather eccentric house music DJ (VB).
MM: You have a colourful career in the showbiz industry and have played alongside Africa’s best. How long have you been in the game and what has kept you this long?
VB: I love entertainment because it just runs in my blood. It’s something I have been doing ever since I was young and my brother Joe introduced me to it. I have been doing it for 30 years now, but I do not do it professionally anymore because of family commitments and the fact that I run a business as well. I have done shows alongside DJs such as Zinhle, Fresh, Liquideep, and Beatenburg. There are so many people that have been along with me, maybe that’s the reason why I have been in the entertainment industry for long, and in particular the faithful party people that turned up weekend after weekend when I was still young to listen and dance to what I was doing from the 80s. But I think if you are asking me about who has influenced me and kept me in the industry for so long and made me the DJ that I am, there are a handful of people.
MM: Interesting. Are you going to make a fulltime comeback to the industry?
VB: I believe my time has passed and for me to be in the entertainment industry full time is impossible, as I have a family. I only do big shows now and mainly concentrate on my business. I believe entertainment is tough in Bulawayo because the numbers are limited and it’s not the kind of atmosphere that is in Harare, where there is more spending power. So entertainment is a hobby for me and will always be a passion too.
MM: Who inspired you to venture into showbiz?
VB: Firstly, my older brother whose ear for the funk/disco sound had so much to do with the way I grew up listening to music.
The second person is an old school friend of mine, who partnered up with me and we would play absolutely at any chance we got. The third person and probably the one that has had the most to do with where I am as a DJ, especially on the technical side is Kimble Rogers (ZiFM). I am basically inspired by a British DJ who works for BBC Radio 1, DJ Peter “Pete” Tong.
MM: Have you ever had any international gigs during the span of your career?
VB: I have not yet really done any major international acts, although I have played in Portugal and South Africa. This year I managed to play at Neverland gig in Harare and Barry Weber helped me get that gig and has helped me raise my forgotten profile in the showbiz.
MM: Do you have any album or music that you have produced so far?
VB: I have music that I have produced but I have not yet released it.
MM: You keep talking about running a business. Please enlighten us about it. And also being away from the entertainment limelight?
VB: Well I will say this again. I love entertainment and it’s something close to my heart. I have been running Belmont Meat supplies since 2009 and I believe we are doing well.
MM: Great stuff! Seeing that the entertainment industry is struggling in Bulawayo are there any youngsters you are mentoring?
VB: Yes the likes of DJ Liz, Scooby, and Skaiva are some of the young upcoming DJs whom I have worked with.
I believe there is still room for them to grow.
MM: Thank you for your time.
Online Reporter