R&B DJ Lady P is steadily carving out her space in South Africa’s soul scene.
Her journey began during the Covid-19 lockdown in 2021 — a time of uncertainty for most, but one that sparked a powerful creative path for this rising talent.
“My journey started in 2021 during Covid-19 when I joined the Laidback team,” she said. “This is that moment for me was when I played for Black Coffee and his mom. That’s when I saw I’m going somewhere with this journey.”
It was more than just a performance; it was a moment that shaped her identity not just as a DJ but as an artist.
“I always loved listening to soul music and fusion. My dad was a music lover,” she said. “Milara’s One Man Woman, Randy Crawford’s Shine and Gladys Knight & the Pips’ Midnight Train to Georgia, those were my favourites growing up.”
For Lady P, R&B isn’t just a genre, it’s a feeling.
“R&B speaks to the heart, speaks to the soul. You fall in love over and over again.”
Her style blends old-school classics with timeless R&B. She's unapologetic about her sound, often steering clear of mainstream, newer R&B to stay true to what her audience enjoys most.
“I don’t normally play the new R&B. My supporters enjoy the genre I play and I believe people still love old music. I’m optimistic about where this sound is going.”
Crafting the perfect set is all about the vibe.
“You check the mood and the groove of the patrons. That’s how you connect.”
But being a woman in the DJ industry comes with its set of challenges.
“There are a lot of female DJs,” she notes, “but we’re crafting our genres differently. There’s always room for improvement.”
And Lady P is just getting started. She hinted at projects on the horizon. “It’s still in the pipeline, something is cooking,” she teased.
You can catch her live every first and last Sunday of the month at NewsCafe Emperors Palace with the Laidback Sessions team. On Saturday, August 10, she’ll be playing at Sdumza's Lounge, Butcher 2.0. Details for September gigs will drop on her socials soon.
Her inspirations are rooted locally and globally. “Locally, I look up to Lesego DM. Internationally, it’s Aretha Franklin’s greatest hits that keep me grounded. But the one song that always hits me deeply? Gladys Knight’s Licence to Kill.”
If she wasn’t behind the decks? “I’d definitely be a gospel or R&B singer.”
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