When mentioning some of the top DJs produced in the Eastern Cape, the name of DJ Natz EFX will probably never make it onto the list of most music enthusiasts.
But some of his music videos, mostly covers of songs by other artists, have gone viral on social networks.
He boasts 87,000 followers on Facebook, 19,000 on Instagram and 24,000 on TikTok.
The Mthatha-born DJ and producer has shared the stage and performed with some of the country’s top acts like Grammy-award winning DJ Black Coffee, NaakMusiq, Sun-EL and Msaki, with whom he recorded and released a song in 2020.
Born Phumelele Mbenenge about 33 years ago, Natz EFX is something of a hot property at corporate events.
He has been invited to perform at events in Namibia and Swaziland as well as jazz events on cruise ships.
But what sets him apart from his peers in the game is his ability to incorporate and serenade music lovers with his saxophone.
Not only has he mastered the instrument, he has made it his signature weapon during performances.
“I just wanted to be different from other DJs,” he told the Dispatch.
“I have been a DJ since 2005 but I only introduced the saxophone in 2014.
“I love music and I felt it [instrument] would help me take it to the next level.”
He comes from a business-orientated family. His father owned a sound equipment hiring company while his mother is involved in the accommodation business.
His older sister is an accountant while his youngest sister is studying towards a public relations qualification. His uncle is Eastern Cape judge president Selby Mbenenge.
In addition to mesmerising the crowds with his saxophone, Natz EFX runs his own company called Ovation Concepts specialising in websites, running CCTV cameras, network solutions, broadcasting and live streaming.
Ovation Concepts also runs a sound company. He said he became a DJ by accident when one of his father’s DJs failed to show up for a wedding gig.
A young Natz EFX volunteered to fill in and as they say, the rest is history.
“I had my own playlist and I did amazingly. But I only became a DJ in earnest around 2005 after finishing school.”
Later he moved to East London to pursue his dream.
Initially he tried to play trumpet which did not fit with what he had wanted to incorporate into his own sound.
He also tried teaching himself guitar. He had one at home given to him by a friend. Unfortunately one of the strings broke.
He said learning to play the saxophone had come by chance.
His mother had asked if he was interested in learning an instrument and he settled for the saxophone.
He said he was inspired by Cape Town band Goldfish which creates dance music with elements of house, pop, jazz and African music.
Internationally, he was inspired by legendary saxophonists like Dave Koz and Kenny G.
“My taste in music is mainstream. I do popular songs and dance songs. I re-work a lot of songs and make them suit the sound that I like.
“I do RnB, jazz, hip hop, deep house and even amapiano.”
He can play the soprano, tenor and alto saxophones. His first song My Surroundings made it onto DJ Black Coffee as well as DJ Euphoniks’ compilations while he also recorded a song with Msaki, Urban Child about three years ago.
Despite running successful businesses, he believes the stage is where his true calling lies.
“I am not really a boardroom type of person. The stage gives me so much joy. It gives me more passion,” he said.
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