From the vibrant streets of Heideveld to the airwaves of GoodHope FM, DJ Masoodah is rapidly cementing her place as one of the Mother City’s most formidable creative forces.
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A self-taught DJ who only stepped behind the decks in 2022, Masoodah has spent the last few years turning a lifelong passion for music into a multi-hyphenate career spanning major stage performances, radio broadcasting, and digital content creation. Host of The Groove Shift on GoodHope FM, she represents a rising generation of female talent asserting their dominance in historically male-dominated spaces while honouring the rich, eclectic heritage of the Cape Flats.
Rooted in the Cape Flats: A signature style
For Masoodah, music wasn’t just a passion; it was the backdrop of everyday life. Growing up surrounded by the rich sounds of her community, her transition from listener to curator felt natural.
With three words to define the vibe, Masoodah describes her signature sound as versatile, nostalgic, and energetic. She refuses to be boxed into a single genre; her sets seamlessly weave together R&B, Yaadt, hip-hop, commercial hits, house, and amapiano.
“In Cape Town, music is so deeply connected to our everyday lives,” Masoodah explains to BONA, highlighting how the city’s sharp, particular audiences have refined her ability to read a room and deliver unexpected, nostalgic anthems.
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DJ Masoodah breaks barriers in male-dominated spaces
Stepping into the nightlife and broadcast industries required resilience and unwavering focus. Rather than letting industry imbalances slow her down, Masoodah channelled her energy into mastering her craft, maintaining professionalism, and leveraging digital platforms.
- The digital footprint: By posting mixes, creating original content, and sharing her personality online, she built a loyal audience across South Africa that eventually opened doors to major bookings and radio slots.
- Shift in perception: While recognising a positive shift in how venue bookers and audiences receive female artists, Masoodah remains candid about ongoing structural challenges.
- Industry challenges: Issues around line-up tokenism, pay parity, and physical safety in nightlife environments remain critical conversations for female talent in Cape Town.
“I decided early on that I didn’t want to spend too much time worrying about whether people thought I belonged. I focused on becoming good at what I do, being professional, showing up and consistently putting myself out there,” she tells BONA.
From the club floor to the airwaves
Transitioning from crowded dance floors to the studio for The Groove Shift brought a new dimension to her craft. While club DJing relies on immediate visual energy and real-time crowd responses, radio demands an intimate, storytelling approach that connects with listeners in their homes and cars.
Beyond her own career milestones, Harris is deeply committed to community and mentorship. She advocates for greater collaboration among female artists and actively encourages young women from the Cape Flats to step into creative fields without hesitation.
“If my journey can make another girl from the Cape Flats believe that these spaces are accessible to her too, then that’s something I’m proud of,” says Masoodah.
Her message to the next generation is simple: don’t wait for permission to start.
Looking ahead: Growth and ownership
As the festive season approaches, Harris is shifting her focus toward greater creative ownership. Beyond event bookings and radio broadcasts, she is actively developing her own event concepts, content series, and collaborative projects.
Her vision for the future remains clear: driving expansion, taking on bigger platforms, and staying unapologetic about where she started.
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