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She recently played for the first time at the Cape Town International Jazz Festival in front of thousands of people.
And her performance began with Whitney Houston’s 1986 hit Greatest Love of All, echoing the iconic opening lyrics ‘I believe the children are our future. Teach them well and let them lead the way’. The song choice was fitting because she herself is a child.
Sophia Petersen better known as DJ Sophia from Athlone in Cape Town, tells YOU the Cape Town International Jazz Festival was an “exciting” experience, and she loved the energy of the crowd.
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Sophia was six years old the last time YOU spoke to her, and since then she’s performed at birthday parties and government, corporate and school events.
The Grade 5 pupil says school comes first, but you can always find her on the decks during weekends.
“I like to play for an hour at gigs, but my longest was five hours at a birthday party and I enjoyed it,” says the shy tween.
But her shyness quickly takes a back seat as soon as she starts her mixes.
Sophia is the youngest DJ in Cape Town and holds a resident slot on The Good Vibez Show alongside DJ Ready D on Good Hope FM.
Earlier this year she started So’Fire Nights, a regular event that gives local DJs the opportunity to showcase their skills.
“Her first one was four months ago and the second, So’Fire Night was two weeks ago, which had over 200 people in attendance,” says her proud dad, Ian.
“As young as she is, we're trying to build her brand, but in doing so. we want to create a platform for others too.”
Sophia says her dad Ian (40) and mom Sharna (39), are her biggest supporters.
Ian is also her manager, and Sharna, a financial manager, deals with all things money related for Sophia.
Ian used to be a DJ but has since retired to focus on helping his daughter achieve her goals. Watching his daughter play at gigs can be sometimes be a surreal experience, he says.
“My wife and I still get goosebumps when we watch her play. Especially when we see people’s reactions – last week she was playing in Oudtshoorn and people got emotional. As parents, it’s humbling. After her set, people went to pray for her.”
As she becomes more popular and her bookings increase, her parents still want her to be a child and enjoy life.
They're teaching her to be humble and to give back, which is why she will be holding her annual blanket drive on 1 June, collecting blankets to donate to the less fortunate.
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“We're very proud of Sofia and we also try to be good role models. We work very hard so she can work hard. We can only give her the necessary tools for her to prepare for a bright future,” Sharna says.
The mom acknowledges Sophia’s mentors, DJ Eazy and DJ Ready D, who are always teaching, motivating and guiding her through the industry. “We are so grateful to them”.
While music is in her veins, Sophia also plays netball for her school and has recently started Muay Thai classes.
Her mixes always include Tyla, Chris Brown and Mary J Blige because she loves their music.
And when it comes to future plans, she has two career paths she wants to pursue.
She wants to be a makeup artist – a passion she discovered while watching makeup tutorials – and a professional international DJ.
“I love music so much,” she says.
“And I’d love to travel the world while playing for people.”
