Dj C-live

DJ C-Live was born born in Durban North in 1981 (aka Clive Shabalala) moved to Jozi in the early `90s where he matriculated at Athlone Boys High, South Africa. It was at school where he first embraced the philosophy and music of hip hop culture-“I vividly remember the day when hip hop made sense to me..it was beautiful and liberating”. Starting as a B-Boy at dance sessions, and establishing the city’s first B-Boy crew (Static B-Boys), he gravitated towards spinning the decks under the guidance of Le Club`s resident DJ`s, Bionic and Blaze and soon developed a growing reputation for slamming beats and rocking the crowds in Joburg`s emerging hip hop culture.

Since then his considerable skills as a DJ have been in hot demand throughout Gauteng and beyond with stints at The Edgars Music Series, The Black Eyed Peas Benefit Concert, Carfax, The Hilton Hotel ,and the House On Fire show in Swaziland. In recognition of his talents DJ C-Live was also invited to attend the African Leaders Council Conference held in Addis Ababa Ethiopia.

In 2003 DJC-Live broadened his horizons by joining Gauteng`s hottest youth station, YFM, as the resident DJ on “The Joint Remix” alongside A.K and Lee Kasumba. This was followed by his own stand alone weekday show, sponsored by FUBU, and the influential Hot Nine Nine Hip Hop Countdown. In 2010 he joined South Africa`s coolest national radio brand, 5FM, where he hosts the “Power Nights of Hip Hop” slot (Mondays 10pm). This show has attracted a global audience which has lead to a partnership with The Omen Agency and Dj Southernbred & Black Nicholson, (collectively known as“@WhatitbeWorld”) to produce a highly popular 10-minute feature on his show called “This Week In Hip Hop”. 

DJ C-Live has been featured heavily on TV including O-Boma (Channel O), Go-Zone (DSTV) and the Phat Joe Show (E-TV) to mention just a few, as well as on countless radio shows and profiles in hip magazines. He has also lent his talents to recording with cameo appearances on tracks by Optical Illusion, Amu and Fortune Abom` Rapper. He has also released an album called “The TasteMaker Volume 1” as well as mix tapes with artists like Sprite and Kwesta. As a pioneer of South African hip hop and artist empowerment , DJ C-Live is also widely known as C-Live The Tastemaker. 

C-live hosted the most listened-to hip hop show in South Africa on 5FM every Monday at 10pm with the hippest, coolest hip hop.