DJ Melzi takes Mzansi’s sound from China to Dubai as new music plans take shape
DJ and music producer DJ Melzi is taking his sound beyond familiar territory, having completed a month of back-to-back performances in China, with Dubai next on his international itinerary and new music planned for Easter 2027.
Born Tumelo Mphai, the DJ has been building his name through music, live performances and brand partnerships. His latest international run, which took him to Guangzhou and Shanghai, marks another step in his pursuit of opportunities beyond South Africa’s entertainment scene.
For the artist, international travel is about more than adding destinations to his schedule. It also creates opportunities to introduce his sound to different audiences, experience new environments and continue developing his identity as an entertainer.
A month of music in China
DJ Melzi spent a full month in China, performing across Guangzhou and Shanghai as part of a busy schedule of gigs.
The two cities offered him an opportunity to take his music to audiences in a different market while gaining further international performance experience.
China’s vast and diverse entertainment landscape presents opportunities for artists looking to grow beyond their home countries. For South African musicians and DJs, performing abroad can also help build connections with promoters, audiences and industry players in markets where local sounds are still finding new listeners.
His time in China also brought fashion into the picture, with the DJ showcasing his association with Vialli, the fashion brand for which he serves as a brand ambassador.
Music meets fashion
Beyond the DJ booth, Melzi’s association with Vialli reflects the connection between music, fashion and youth culture.
For many contemporary entertainers, personal style has become an important part of their public identity. From stage appearances to international travel, fashion can complement an artist’s sound and help communicate the image they want to project.
As a Vialli ambassador, Melzi continues to bring the brand into his world of performances and entertainment, positioning himself at the intersection of music and style.
His international appearances provide another platform for that relationship, allowing him to represent the brand while continuing to develop his profile as a South African entertainer.
Dubai is next on the itinerary
Having wrapped up his month in China, DJ Melzi is preparing to spend two weeks in Dubai, where club performances are expected to form part of his schedule.
The upcoming trip will give him another opportunity to connect with audiences outside South Africa and continue building his international performance portfolio.
Dubai has established itself as an international entertainment destination, attracting performers, DJs and music lovers from different parts of the world. For touring artists, the city’s club scene offers opportunities to reach diverse audiences and establish relationships within the entertainment industry.
For Melzi, the move from Guangzhou and Shanghai to Dubai keeps the momentum going as he balances international bookings with his longer-term musical ambitions.
Further details about his Dubai performances can be shared as arrangements are confirmed.
New music on the horizon
While international gigs remain a priority, DJ Melzi is also looking ahead to his next chapter in the studio.
The DJ and producer is planning to release new music around Easter 2027, giving fans something to anticipate as he continues to develop his catalogue.
Although details about the upcoming songs have not yet been announced, the planned releases will provide an opportunity for listeners to reconnect with his work beyond the dance floor.
Balancing performances with music production is an important part of an artist’s development. While live shows introduce an entertainer to new audiences, recorded music gives listeners something to return to long after the performance has ended.
For Melzi, the coming months present an opportunity to build on his international experiences while preparing fresh material for his supporters.
The journey continues
From performances in Guangzhou and Shanghai to an upcoming stint in Dubai, DJ Melzi is entering another period of movement in his career.
His international schedule, relationship with Vialli and plans for new music reflect an artist continuing to explore opportunities across entertainment, fashion and live performance.
As he prepares for his next destination, the focus remains on growing his reach, connecting with new audiences and developing the music that will define his next chapter.
For DJ Melzi, the world is becoming an increasingly important part of the journey – but the music remains at the centre of it.
ABOUT DJ MELZI
DJ Melzi, whose real name is Tumelo Mphai, is a South African DJ and music producer whose career spans recorded music, live performances and brand partnerships. He is a brand ambassador for Vialli and continues to pursue opportunities within South Africa and internationally.
10 MINUTES WITH DJ Melzi
DJ Melzi: Six questions and answers
1. You have just spent a month performing in Guangzhou and Shanghai. What was the biggest adjustment you had to make when taking your sound to audiences in China?
China was a great experience for me. Spending a whole month gave me the opportunity to experience a different environment and connect with people through music. Every crowd is different, so you have to understand the energy in the room and find a way to connect with the people in front of you. It was exciting to take my sound there and see how music brings people together, even when you come from different backgrounds.
2. When you are performing in a country where people may not know much about you, how do you approach winning them over?
For me, it starts with the music and the energy I bring when I get behind the decks. You cannot assume that every crowd will respond the same way, so you have to pay attention to the people and understand what works for them. One of the places I really enjoyed performing at was Aporro in China. Experiences like that remind me why I love what I do. You get to share your sound with people in a different part of the world and create a moment with them through music.
3. You are heading to Dubai for two weeks. What are you hoping to take away from this trip beyond the performances themselves?
I am looking forward to the experience and the opportunity to meet new people, perform for different audiences and continue growing internationally. Every country has its own entertainment culture, and I believe there is always something to learn when you put yourself in a new environment. For me, it is about building relationships, creating opportunities and making sure that wherever I go, I represent myself and South African music well. Dubai’s clubbing scene has grown into an international nightlife destination, known for its luxury clubs, rooftop and beach venues, high-energy dance floors and line-ups featuring international DJs across house, electronic and Afro-house music.iI hope to bring a taste off South Africa to Dubai.
4. You are also a Vialli brand ambassador. How important is fashion to the way you express yourself as DJ Melzi, and how do you balance that with your identity as a music producer?
Fashion is an important part of how I express myself because it allows people to see another side of who I am. Music is at the centre of what I do, but I also believe that your style says something about your personality and how you carry yourself. My relationship with Vialli is exciting because it brings together two things that are important in entertainment: music and fashion. I want everything associated with DJ Melzi to feel authentic to me, whether I am performing, producing music or representing a brand.
5. You are planning to release new music around Easter 2027. What can your fans expect from this next chapter, and has your international experience influenced the sound you want to explore?
My fans can definitely look forward to new music around Easter 2027. I am always thinking about what I want to create next and how I can continue developing my sound. Travelling and performing in different countries also gives you new experiences and exposes you to different environments. Those experiences can influence the way you think creatively. I do not want to give too much away just yet, but the plan is to bring my fans something fresh while continuing to grow as a DJ and producer.
6. When you look at how far you have come as Tumelo Mphai, the person behind DJ Melzi, what are you most proud of – and what would you still like to achieve?
I am proud of the journey and the opportunities I continue to get to do what I love. Being able to take my music beyond South Africa, perform in places like China and prepare for another trip to Dubai is something I appreciate. There is still so much I want to achieve, though. I want to keep growing my music, reach more people internationally and build a career that continues to open doors for me and the people I work with. I see this as another chapter, not the finish line. There is still a lot more I want to do.
