DJ makes himself at home – Grocott's Mail

Scores of students and Grahamstown residents lined up outside one of the city's most happening hotspots, Equilibrium, to be dazzled by one of Mzansi's finest young and upcoming DJs last Friday night.

And when Lulo Cafe eventually arrived – fashionably late – the crowd was on and off the dance floor, hypnotised by his electrifying house jams. On the night, the 2010 Metrofm Award winner for the best compilation album rocked the crowd with his sets that varied from down-tempo lounge music to deep grooves and funky selections.

Talked up as "one of the most promising new talents in the business" by well-known South African DJ, Vinni Da Vinci, Sikhululo so Lulo was born in the Eastern Cape ku Tsolo in the former Transkei. While living in Bloemfontein in the late 90s, he began exploring the clubbing scene, inspired by DJ legends Glen Lewis, Vinny Da Vinci, Christos, Fresh and Ganyani.

After a friend showed him the ropes, he moved to Joburg and slowly introduced himself to the music scene and joined SoulCandi. The last time Lulo did Grahamstown was during the Trivarsity 2009 and he jumped at the opportunity to return. "I love the unity among students of different races. I went to the Rat and Parrot for dinner and was amazed at how everyone just hangs out together," he said.

And Lulo Cafe believes house fits right in with this ethos. "It's the genre that unites peeps with different tastes in music," he says. "A lot of talent is emerging. In five years, South Africa will be the official capital of house," he predicts.

Following Deep House Chronicles 2 -What About Soul? and What About House Soul 1, he's hard at work in the studio again, working on new material which he hopes will be out in June1. The good news for house animals is that Lulo Cafe's back in town tonight at The Great Field Party, from 5pm to midnight, at the Rhodes Great Field.