From Durban to the world: DJ Cassie sets his sights on international stages

Rajiv Cassie, known professionally as DJ Cassie, is an open-format DJ who excels at blending diverse genres to cater to any audience. 

Born and raised in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, he has lived in the city his entire life and built a career grounded in both passion and discipline.

“Durban has always been home,” he said. “It is the place where I found my sound and my drive.”

Cassie’s love for music began in primary school. He remembers carrying a CD player to class so he could listen during breaks.

“I would do whatever it took to have music with me,” he recalled.

“Even a few minutes with my favourite tracks made the day better.” His fascination with DJing surfaced in high school when he discovered computer software that allowed him to blend two tracks.

“The first time I played two songs together, it felt like a door opened,” he said. “I could not stop experimenting.”

Influence came from family and local talent. Cassie’s older brother introduced him to the work of Ryan The DJ and Ameeth Shah, two respected DJs who demonstrated what high-level skill and dedication could achieve. “I followed their sets online and thought, if they can reach that standard, why not me?”

Determined to follow their example, Cassie made a deal with his parents: if he earned strong academic results, they would buy him his first DJ decks.

“That promise kept me focused in school,” he said. “When I finally got those decks, it felt like the real start.”

A pivotal moment arrived during his Grade 11 dance after-party when he watched Shah perform live.

“Seeing the crowd react to every beat he dropped showed me how powerful music can be,” Cassie said. “That night convinced me this was not just a hobby. I wanted to make people feel that kind of joy.”

Breaking into the DJ scene was not simple. The field was already competitive, with a high standard for technical ability and creativity. Cassie began uploading mixes online, which caught the attention of one of the DJs he admired.

“He told me, ‘You’re serious about this,’ and started taking me along to gigs,” Cassie said. “Those early connections were everything.”

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by 𝘿𝙅 𝘾𝙖𝙨𝙨𝙞𝙚 🇿🇦 (@djcassiesa)

One of his career highlights was the Red Bull 3Style DJ competition, an international event renowned for demanding originality and precision.

It was his first live contest, and placing in the top six nationally was a significant achievement. “That experience forced me to level up,” he explained.

“It pushed me to think differently about mixing and to take creative risks I might not have tried before.” He credits the competition with showing him how far a DJ can stretch sound and rhythm. “It taught me that music is unlimited if you keep exploring.” 

He later became the Durban DJ Champion, a title that required extensive preparation and relentless practice.

“There had not been a major competition here for years,” he said.

“I wanted to represent Durban at my best, so I practised every day.” The lessons learned from Red Bull 3Style played a major role in his success.

“Everything I picked up from that contest – timing, creativity, reading the crowd – I used it all.”

Cassie structures his days around music. Each morning begins with searching DJ websites for new tracks. 

“It is the first thing I do when I wake up,” he said. Regular practice remains essential because, as he puts it, “Music offers endless possibilities. The more you practice, the more new ideas you find.”

Networking is another crucial part of his work, helping him secure bookings across multiple venues every weekend. Marketing on social media adds another layer, requiring creative videos and engaging content to reach a wider audience.

“You never know how the public will react,” he said, “but you have to keep showing them what you can do.”

Editing music is a behind-the-scenes task that takes considerable time. Cassie customises tracks to ensure his performances are unique, a process that requires daily attention as new music is released.

“People do not see how many hours go into making a set stand out,” he noted.

He sees video content as the next step for expanding his brand, especially in the era of global social media reach. “Video is the new stage,” he said. “It is how you connect with audiences beyond your city or country.”

His performance style is built on energy and innovation. Wordplay, tone play and scratching are regular features of his sets. “I love the element of surprise,” he said.

“Switching genres in a creative way keeps people on their toes.”

While many DJs specialise in a single genre to define their brand, Cassie values the flexibility of crossing musical boundaries. “Being an open-format DJ means I can take the crowd anywhere. It is freedom.”

International performances have already given him a taste of the global stage, and he aims to build on those experiences. “The times I have performed overseas were unforgettable,” he said.

By sharing more video content, he hopes to reach audiences outside South Africa and book more shows abroad. “I want people everywhere to feel what we create here in Durban,” he added.

Cassie also invests time in mentoring. He teaches aspiring DJs, curates music for formal events and assists friends in the industry with event planning.

“I tell every new DJ, music is not linear,” he said. “The more skills you build, the more exciting your sets become.” He emphasised the importance of constant practice: “Hard work is everything. Talent only takes you so far.”

Outside of music, Cassie helps manage family-owned properties in Durban, but music remains central to his life.

From early experiments with a computer application to recognition in national competitions, his story reflects dedication, continuous learning and a deep commitment to the art of DJing. 

“Music is my life,” he said simply. “It is how I connect with people and how I keep challenging myself every day.”