We can’t sit still during the weekend, waiting for the phone call. Waves even got a second-hand Nokia 3310 to make things easier for DJ Casino when he makes contact. The call eventually comes through on Saturday evening, after we closed up the container.
The cellphone rings, and Waves picks it up. “Hello, yes, this is he. Oh, hey DJ Casino. Yes, I can hear you. Gadaffi is here with me. Ok, here he is.”
Waves hands me the phone. “Khuluma!”
I speak. “Hello, DJ Casino. Yes, we can make it to Kinross tomorrow morning. No worries, please send the address. Thanks, see you tomorrow.”
I hang up in excitement. “Waves, Waves! We’ve been invited to breakfast and lunch tomorrow at DJ Casino’s house in Kinross.”
Waves nods. “Gadaffi, this is the big league. Let’s grab the bull by the horns. Tomorrow we dress our finest and be on our best behaviour!”
We fist bump, then go our separate ways.
By sunrise, I am up, ready to take on the challenge of the day. I wear my finest green Dickies two-piece: a T-shirt and chinos, plus my black and white All-Star sneakers. Waves is wearing a red shirt, a navy-blue cardigan, and red slacks.
We go to work at the container and wait for Mr. Mahlangu to leave for church. When he’s gone, we catch a Siyaya to town. From there, we hitchhike to Kinross.
We arrive at DJ Casino’s house and are taken aback by the beauty. It’s a big-ass villa with a garden out front, a water fountain with live fish, and six cars—BMWs and Porsches—parked outside.
A butler opens the door and greets us. We walk in. There’s a nice, warm, modern feeling to the inside of the villa. There are fancy wooden floors, wooden furniture, stunning art hanging on the walls, sculptures, and a bronze statue of DJ Casino holding a record.
We follow the scent, only to find DJ Casino cooking in the kitchen.
“Oh, hey gents. I am grateful you’re here. And just in time for my famous chicken Bolognese!” he exclaims.
After the most delicious chicken I’ve ever tasted, we sit on the balcony with fruity cocktails in our hands, going through our contracts.
DJ Casino speaks. “As you boys can see for yourselves, these are standard contracts. And as your manager, we are looking to make millions. Gadaffi, I will make you gents rich and famous. We start recording as soon as the contracts are signed—na vandag nog!”
I am surprised. “Today? That sounds too good to be true.”
DJ Casino shakes his head and places a pen on top of the contract. “Give me the chance to prove you wrong.”
Waves and I don’t hesitate. We sign the three-year contracts.
“Okay, now let’s head to the studio!” DJ Casino exclaims.
We climb into a black SUV with tinted windows and drive downtown to Kali Studios.
DJ Casino turns to me. “Gadaffi, are you ready to bring your dreams into existence?”
“I was born ready!”
I record two tracks at Kali Studios: the lead single Gadaffi Phume ‘Rova and Utshwala in under an hour. I know my music. I live my music.
Gifties, the producer, gives thanks. “Gadaffi, you’re fire, bro. I hope to work with you in the near future. You’re amazing—a true kasi artist. Ntjaka!”
DJ Casino drives us back to ‘Rova around 5:30 pm. “Gents, you did me proud vandag. For real, both of you.”
We arrive at the container and find Mr. Mahlangu sitting in his car, fuming like a number seven coal stove. After he sees us stepping out of the SUV, he confronts us.
“I don’t want to hear your stories. You’re both fired. Now, gimme my goddamn keys!”
Tell Us: How do you usually prepare for big opportunities or important moments in your life?