For South African DJ, performer, and entrepreneur Doowap, music wasn’t just a dream—it was destiny. Raised in a household where creativity thrived, she was surrounded by the sounds of iconic Kwaito acts and the energy of 90s nightlife, thanks to her parents’ ownership of legendary Johannesburg nightclubs like Morgan’s and Insomnia.

“I’ve had such a magical life already—it’s like a movie,” she says, reflecting on her early exposure to artists like Boom Shaka and TKZee. That passion for music, however, took a few detours before becoming her full-time path. Initially a springboard diver representing South Africa, Doowap later moved to Canada and the UK, where she immersed herself in underground music scenes. It was during this time that she discovered Academy of Sound Engineering (ASE) and started studying sound engineering —a decision that would prove pivotal.

“ASE stood out because their team had such a big footprint in the industry,” she explains. “They weren’t just teaching—many of them were working professionals. That meant real-world exposure, which is so important.”