Some artists chase the moment. Major League DJz builds movements. Identical twins Bandile and Banele Mbele from South Africa have spent the past decade reshaping the sound and visibility of African dance music, not by following trends, but by feeling, instinct and trusting each other. Their now-iconic Balcony Mixes transform intimate sessions into global touchstones, providing a backdrop of not only the music but also the sunlight, cityscapes, joy, and community woven into every beat.
The core of their work is deeper than performance and recognition. It’s about telling stories, being disciplined, and creating space on stage, in clubs, and in the industry itself for African artists to succeed in their own ways. Looking to the future, Major League DJs are less interested in fitting into the existing system than in expanding upon it and building a platform where hope, belief and consistency can transform possibility into legacy.
Collaboration is at the heart of our sound. From working with world-famous figures to forming national movements, how do you decide who to collaborate with?
For us, collaboration really means “emotion.” It’s never about who’s trending or what’s hot right now. It’s about connection. Someone who we feel would be a good fit for the studio, understands our sound and is happy to grow with us. Coming from Africa, it’s not always easy to build your sound, so you gravitate toward people who truly believe in what you’re doing. It’s about trust, chemistry, and sharing energy. If it were about trends, we’d probably be chasing the big names nonstop, but that’s not how meaningful music is made.
More than collaborators, you are identical twins. What does it mean to experience this journey together?
We often get this question: What is it like to be twins? To be honest, we don’t know any other way. This is normal for us. We’ve been doing everything together since we were kids, so it feels natural for us to work together. Two minds are always better than one. Of course we fight, and we’re brothers, but it’s never about ego. Goals always come first. After all, it’s easier to build something meaningful with people who truly understand you.
When you’re on stage together, what do you want the audience to feel when they experience your music live?
We want people to feel the journey. Our music tells a story. It’s not just a sound, it’s an experience. African dance music is steeped in history, emotion, and healing. Melodies, drums, percussion, these elements mean everything about African culture. Traditionally, drums have been used to communicate, heal and unite people. So when people listen to our music, we want them to feel a sense of their memories, their past, and where they’re going from here. For Africans, music has always been used to create hope and remind themselves that things will get better.
Your Balcony Mix has become a worldwide phenomenon. What inspired you to turn such an intimate moment into a global experience?
Balcony Mix was really just us telling our story and having fun. We’ve always had mixes, but nothing visual to show the environment or the emotion behind the music. The balcony gave context to the music. It gave it texture, character, and humanity. A lot of dance music exists without a face or story attached to it. Thanks to Balcony Mix, people can finally see what kind of vibe we have in our music. It exploded during lockdown, but then we realized people were looking for more than just sound. They wanted an experience.
Non-stop tours can be confusing. How do you stay grounded when you’re always on the move?
It’s not easy. Self-care has become really important to us. Things like running, going to the gym, and listening to music can help you maintain balance. But beyond that, it’s important to take care of yourself mentally and emotionally. This life can quickly become overwhelming. You have to know your goals and connect with yourself beyond music. That’s what keeps us stable.
Looking ahead, what sounds are you excited to explore next?
We will go deeper into the world of dance. It’s not just dance music for Europeans, it’s also dance music for Africans. We want to create a space where Africans can feel like they belong in the global dance conversation outside of Afrobeats and Amapiano. Other regions have established themselves and now it is Africa’s turn. We want to build that market and give it a place.
What does success look like to you now? What are your big goals?
We want to be in the top five, top three. But more than that, we want to build a space for Africa’s superstar DJs. Black coffee has opened so many doors that we want to expand on it. Billboard hits, millions of streams, collaborations with the biggest artists, those things matter. But the most important thing is building the infrastructure. We create opportunities for DJs so they don’t have to start from scratch every time. We want to keep doors open, not close them behind us.
You also focus on giving back to up-and-coming DJs. Why is that so important to you?
Because youth is everything. It’s more difficult than ever to succeed as an artist today. Giving people a platform, visibility and room to grow is essential. Through contests, collaborations, showcases, and more, we want to help create pathways. If we build markets together, everyone wins.
What advice would you give to young DJs who look up to you?
Believe in your own stupidity. Your background does not determine your future. The tools are already in your hands, especially your mobile phone. You can connect, create, promote, and build anything from there. Please be disciplined. Be consistent. Keep going even if it doesn’t make sense to the people around you. Once momentum starts, everything changes.
Finally, what do you hope your legacy represents to South African and global music culture?
hope and faith. We want people to know that tomorrow will be better. Not probably, but definitely. No matter where you come from or how privileged you are, you can change your story. It’s bigger than music. And discipline is a big part of that. Discipline creates freedom. Talent is important, but consistency will take you further. If we can leave behind those lessons: hope, faith, and discipline, then we have done our job.
