In her apartment tucked away in the heart of Johannesburg, Rarri answers the phone, her voice filled with a mix of passion and determination as she recounts her journey from Cape Town to the vibrant music scene of South Africa’s largest city. She doesn’t want to be considered as a DJ; Rarri is a force of creativity, a pioneer pushing boundaries and challenging stereotypes. “There’s much more to me than just being a DJ. I consider myself a multifaceted creative.” 

It all began before the world was gripped by the pandemic, when Rarri stepped onto the scene with her inaugural set at Crayon’s, a company synonymous with groundbreakingevents in Cape Town. It was here that Rarri first felt the electrifying connection between music and audience, a connection that would drive her forward in her quest to redefine the industry. 

“My first official gig was right before Covid. I was the first person in the line-up. I still remember that I didn’t even get paid for it. I remember when I was playing people were still setting up the event. As I was playing the event organiser was staring at me. I could see that he was into it but he didn’t say anything. That just gave me confirmation that something was going to happen for me.”

Reflecting on her transition from Cape Town to Johannesburg, Rarri’s story takes a more serious turn. Leaving behind the comfort of her hometown was a necessary sacrifice to propel her career forward. Johannesburg welcomed her with open arms, introducing her to pivotal figures like Nalu, who is from Cape Town and Money Badoo, who would become instrumental in shaping her trajectory. “Moving to Johannesburg meant leaving a lot behind, but it was essential for my career growth,” Rarri shares. 

However, Rarri’s journey was not without its challenges. As a woman in a male-dominated industry, she encountered firsthand the entrenched biases and misconceptions that pervaded the scene. Determined to challenge the status quo, she embarked on a mission to carve out a space for herself and others like her.

Before she dove headfirst into DJing, Rarri noticed a glaring absence—there were virtually no female DJs at the events she attended. This realization sparked a fire within her, igniting a vow to become the change she wished to see. “This one day, I overheard some DJ in the club saying that he would play something so that the girls could start grinding on the men, basically saying that he would play for the girls. In his head he really thought that this was happening but in reality it didn’t happen. I used to get so annoyed by this. I am just really a girls’ girl. I push female independence. To hear someone say that they want to do something to get a certain reaction and have it not work was really eye opening.”

Her passion for empowering women and reshaping the industry’s landscape spurred her to establish GSPT, a platform aimed at dismantling barriers and providing opportunities for women of colour in the music and events industry. “GSPT challenges existing industry structures by providing access to equipment and industry knowledge.”

Rarri’s creative prowess extends far beyond the DJ booth. She is the architect of the Rarri brand, a testament to her business acumen and entrepreneurial spirit. Leveraging her background in business and economics, Rarri strategically built her brand, leveraging platforms like SoundCloud to showcase her talent and release innovative mixes.

Amidst the chaos of the pandemic, Rarri’s resolve only intensified. Her first official gig marked a pivotal moment—a validation of her journey thus far. Despite the challenges posed by Covid-19, Rarri’s passion for music and her unwavering commitment to her craft remained unshakable.

As Rarri’s journey unfolds, it becomes evident that she is not merely a DJ; she is a trailblazer, a visionary, and a beacon of empowerment. Through her work with GSPT and her relentless pursuit of creative expression, Rarri is rewriting the narrative of the music industry, one electrifying set at a time. She challenges conventions, inspires change, and leaves an indelible mark on the hearts and minds of all who have the privilege of experiencing her artistry.