Giyani Brian “DJ Brian” Rikhotso (born 1 January 1980) is a South African Radio personality and broadcaster on Munghana Lonene FM, Club Dj and an entrepreneur. As of April 2015, Brian moved from hosting the Afternoon Drive show “Mphensa-Mphensa” and was paired with Sydney Baloyi to co-host the flagship morning drive show.
Brian was born in Soweto, South Africa. He later moved to Bolobedu next to Tzaneen, Limpopo. He attended Matshwi Primary School, Bolobedu and subsequently completed high school in Mokope Senior Secondary before training to be a Journalist at Technikon Pretoria (now Tshwane University of Technology). He began his broadcasting career with Munghana lonene FM in 2000 doing weekend shifts.
Dj Brian has presented different shows on Munghana Lonene FM. He first joined the station in 2000 as a stand-in presenter, mainly covering graveyards shifts while still finishing his studies. He later started presenting the African World Music Show “Mindhzumba ya Afrika”, this is the show that made a name for him. In 2003 he started presenting the afternoon drive show “Vaxumi”, swapping days with Conny “Conizer” Mashimbye. He subsequently earned a breakfast show slot in 2005, a programme he kept till his resignation in 2007.
In 2008 he rejoined the station and started co-hosting the breakfast show Phaphama with Sydney Baloyi. In 2009 the team was joined by Tebogo Jacko Magubane as the show’s producer, a move that saw the show reaching new heights. Resulting from “Phaphama’s” Success, Dj Brian was moved to the Afternoon Drive and paired with Thembzana Reloaded and Nyiko Sithole as the sports presenter until April 2015. In 2015 he was moved back to host Munghana Lonene FM’s breakfast show “Phaphama”. In 2018 DJ Brian moved to Host the Midday show “Dzumba na Mina”.
At 23, Dj Brian was the first presenter at the station to win an Award (Best presenter of the year) while only presenting two weekend programmes. He also exposed the listeners to a new blend of African music mainly from SADC countries. His distinct taste in music saw him being the first at the station to play artist such as Salala from Madagascar, Koffi Olomide, Fally Ipupa, Papa Wemba, Kanda Bongo Man, from Democratic Republic of the Congo (previously known Zaire) and a variety of musicians from Mozambique such as Zico, Tabassily and Mr Bow.
Dj Brian also has a huge following on social media, including a very impressive YouTube following. DJ Brian has released 3 albums under his name. In 2014, he made a mark when he featured Tsalanang-Inspector Mkhaba with his smash hit, “Bafikile”. This hit single was later compiled on DJ Cleo’s Eskhaleni 9. His music video was played on local and national TV stations in RSA and other neighbouring countries in Africa.
Dj Brian is a fan of Kaizer Chiefs F.C., and occasionally remarks on their fortunes during his show, a culture that was intensified during his time on “Phaphama” where he occasionally had Soccer debates with his co-host Sydney Baloyi who is a die-hard fan of the rival Orlando Pirates and a frequently mocked producer Tebogo Jacko Magubane who supports Pretoria based SuperSport United FC. DJ Brian got married in 2004 to Zanele Carol Rikhotso. He also prefers to keep his private life “Private”.
DJ Brian was arrested on February 9, 2007 and later the case was thrown out of court due to lack of evidence. In fact, it was later understood that there was nothing that linked Dj Brian to the case.
He also owns Bharule Communications, a multi-media communications company and DJ Brian Concepts, a communications company that drives DJ Brian the brand.
