Nicholas Pillay, a 32-year-old born and raised in Phoenix, northwest of Durban, exemplifies the transformative power of music. With a background in psychology, he has managed to blend his two passions: entertainment and mental health.
Pillay has come a long way since his early days, and his story is one of determination, creativity, and an unwavering love for music.
“I went to Eastview Primary School and Earlington Secondary School, respectively. I then went on to study Psychology, graduating with my Bachelor of Psychology degree (BPsych) at the Pearson Institute Of Higher Education in 2015.
"I got married in 2022, shortly after joining the SABC. And we just had our first child in December 2024,” he said.
Pillay's journey into the world of DJing began surprisingly during his first year at university. A neighbour noticed his newly acquired speakers and asked him to play music for a pre-wedding party.
“At that time, I knew nothing about DJing”, he recalls. Armed with just 20 songs on his laptop, Pillay took the plunge, and the next day, he was handed R200 for his work.
This seemingly insignificant moment marked the beginning of his music career. "Little did I know, I was heading into a whole new world of music and entertainment," he reflects.
From that moment, Pillay immersed himself in the local party scene, playing at backyard gatherings to earn extra income for his university expenses. With each event, he expanded his network, eventually discovering his passion for radio.
He began his broadcasting career at Megazone Radio in mid-2019, setting the stage for his current role at SABC's Lotus FM, where he is the radio jockey, DJ, and producer of the popular Friday night club show, 'IN DA MIX’.
Pillay's music style is as eclectic as South Africa itself.
“I have an eclectic style of music. SA is not only a rainbow nation in terms of race. But the music genres are just as colourful because of our variety of cultural and social groups.
"From mainstream to old school, Eastern to Western, and everything in between including amapiano and rock 'n’ roll, I listen to, and play them all," he explains. This versatility has allowed him to connect with diverse audiences.
Asked who and what influenced him growing up. Pillay says, “I wasn't one of the popular kids. Neither was I in the category of ‘good looking’. I had a good set of friends, though, who accepted me unconditionally.
"If there is anyone that has influenced me the most, it's my mother and father. Their sacrifices to bring my brother and me up were never-ending.
"We saw them go through the hardest of problems and still managed to provide us with everything we needed as growing boys, including our full education. Another person has to be Durban’s MC and DJ Trevor Williams.”
A memorable experience for Pillay was when he played at The Warehouse in central Durban alongside industry greats such as DJ Devan Singh and DJ Deon Chetty.
“I was so afraid of going up against them, I figured I had to do something to stand out. So, I took a huge bhangra dhol drum and played it on stage during the beat drop of the song. The crowd went wild! And on that night, everyone knew my name.”
2024 has been a significant year for Pillay, especially with the arrival of his daughter, Saanvi, born in December. "That has been the highlight of not just my summer, but my entire life," he says proudly.
With recent changes in his personal life, Pillay took a break from performing to focus on family, embracing his new role as a father.
With the new year here, Pillay has exciting plans in the pipeline. He will be collaborating with entrepreneur Lee Who to elevate the 'Bollyrave' franchise, drawing comparisons to renowned international festivals like Tomorrowland.
Furthermore, he aims to use his platform on Lotus FM to introduce new talent, ensuring that the future of South African music remains bright.
To the next generation of DJs, Pillay offers invaluable advice: "Practice makes perfect! Be original! Take the risk! Send that demo! Don’t let anyone use you in the name of exposure.” His motto encapsulates the essence of growth and progress in a competitive industry.
Though Pillay never envisioned a radio career initially, he has embraced it wholeheartedly. He cites numerous individuals as inspirations throughout his journey in the industry, emphasising the importance of mentorship in fostering growth.
He sees the radio’s evolution post-pandemic as an opportunity to present music in a new light, aiming to shift from a DJ-centric role to a more robust presence as a radio presenter.
Outside the DJ booth, Pillay is delving into the realm of psychology, focusing on abnormal behaviour and aspiring to introduce music therapy in SA.
“The plan for the next five years is to introduce music therapy to treat conditions like depression and anxiety,” he shares.