For Legendary Crisp (@legendarycrisp), music is more than a craft—it’s a calling. Hailing from Westbury, Johannesburg, this South African DJ, curator, and culture-shifter has carved a unique space in the vibrant world of Amapiano, a genre she championed long before it became a global phenomenon.
Known offstage for her sharp intellect and soulful musicality, her journey is one of instinct, intention, and an unwavering commitment to uplifting new talent. With her platform as a resident DJ at YFM, Legendary Crisp is not just spinning tracks; she’s offering a refreshing, thoughtful perspective on what it means to be a tastemaker in South Africa’s dynamic music scene.
Where It All Began: A Spark from Soul and Stories
Long before the festival stages and radio airwaves, Legendary Crisp’s love for music was shaped by the sounds and stories of her youth. Growing up in Westbury, she found inspiration in the eclectic deep house compilations of Soul Candii’s session CDs.
“The variety of deep house sounds on the different sessions really shaped my musical taste and pushed me into looking for more soulful and deep house,” she recalls. R&B and soul also played a pivotal role, laying the foundation for her affinity for emotive, groove-heavy music.
The radio was her gateway to a world she hadn’t yet explored. “I only started grooving later in life, so the radio really helped deepen my passion,” she says. “The music and stories told by the presenters would fuel my imagination on what grooving would be like.” These early influences weren’t just sounds—they were invitations to dream, create, and eventually step behind the decks herself.
Studying Law, Mastering Music: A Mind for Both Worlds
Before becoming Legendary Crisp, she pursued studies in law—a field often viewed as far removed from the creative chaos of the music industry. But her legal education has become a valuable asset in unexpected ways.
“Studying law gave me a foundational understanding of the legalities around releasing music and improved my negotiation skills,” she explains. This knowledge empowers her to move through the music industry with both creativity and clarity.
Yet, her analytical mindset can be a double-edged sword. “I think everything through logically, which can be a good and bad thing,” she admits. That careful consideration, paired with her artistic flair, gives her a unique edge in an industry that often runs on impulse. It’s this balance of logic and soul that defines her sound and her strategy.
Spotting Amapiano’s Potential: A Vision Ahead of the Curve
Long before Amapiano became South Africa’s signature sound of the 2020s, Legendary Crisp recognized its potential. “Amapiano just sounded exciting and fresh with some familiarity to it,” she says. The genre’s blend of jazz, lounge, and deep house resonated deeply, but it was the culture surrounding it that truly drew her in.
“Artists my age backing themselves and sharing their own musical imagination with us truly just pulled me deeper into the sound,” she reflects.
Convincing YFM to embrace Amapiano wasn’t easy in its early days, but her passion and foresight proved persuasive. As a tastemaker, she helped introduce the station’s audience to this emerging sound—helping to propel a grassroots movement into mainstream culture.
YFM: The Platform That Sharpened a Tastemaker
As a resident DJ at YFM, one of South Africa’s most influential youth radio stations, Legendary Crisp has been able to hone her instincts both as an artist and curator.
“Being a resident DJ at YFM taught me how to be a tastemaker,” she says. “People listen to music on different platforms for different reasons, and I was able to learn how to be someone who introduces people to different artists and sounds on that platform.”
Her role offers a front-row seat to the evolving tastes of South African audiences. Her sets don’t just deliver bangers—they’re carefully curated experiences that invite listeners on a journey, blending familiarity with discovery.
Championing the Underdog: A Mission to Uplift New Talent
One of Legendary Crisp’s core values is her commitment to spotlighting emerging producers and underground sounds. “New talent moves the needle and sound forward,” she emphasizes.
“The entertainment industry is very saturated, and a lot of talent use whichever opportunity to fuel that passion, so if I can help keep them in the space in some way or form, I try to do that.”
Her platform at YFM has become a launchpad for rising stars. She blends veteran acts with fresh voices in her sets, helping to shape careers while cultivating a forward-thinking musical landscape. “The legacy I aim to build is one of good music and great talent,” she says. “I’ve always supported emerging talents—many of whom went on to do great things—and I hope to continue providing a platform that makes a difference in artists’ journeys.”
Shattering Myths: Women Behind the Decks
As a female DJ in a historically male-dominated industry, Legendary Crisp is deeply aware of the double standards that exist. “Women are just as good, if not better at times, as DJs as men,” she asserts. “There shouldn’t be an expectation of women to entertain in a manner that men aren’t expected nor required to do behind the decks.”
Her presence is more than representation—it’s a statement. Through skill, precision, and professionalism, she’s redefining what a top-tier DJ looks like—and sounds like. For the next generation, her journey serves as living proof that gender is not a limitation, but a strength.
A Dream Night with Legendary Crisp: A Global Sonic Journey
If given full creative control for one night on YFM, Legendary Crisp would curate a boundary-breaking experience. “The night would be a discovery of good music and not necessarily commercially popular music,” she says.
From soulful deep house to genre-blending Amapiano, her set would be a celebration of global sounds—carefully selected to spark curiosity and deepen appreciation.
“It’s about introducing listeners to something new, something that moves them, something that stays with them,” she says. It’s not just music—it’s a mission.
The Moment That’s Still to Come
Despite her impressive journey, Legendary Crisp believes her most pivotal moment is still on the horizon. “Honestly speaking, I believe that moment is still to come,” she says.
Whether it’s a career-defining performance, a cultural milestone, or a deeply personal victory, she’s not rushing it. She’s preparing for it—with heart, hustle, and humility.
Redefining Success: The Rise of Female DJs in South Africa
Legendary Crisp is part of a powerful wave of female DJs reshaping South African music culture. “I think female DJs truly did elevate the standard of imaging in the DJing space,” she observes.
“Based off their rollouts to market, we saw more investment in the brand and image by DJs in the space.”
Still, she notes that the industry’s benchmarks for success remain largely unchanged. “Though there are artists carving out their own lane of success, industry stock standard is still in full swing.”
She sees herself not as a finished product, but as a work in progress—constantly evolving, constantly building. “I see myself as someone working towards her success and who still has a lot in store for herself and the scene.”
Fuel for the Future: A Legacy in the Making
When asked what drives her, Legendary Crisp’s answer is simple yet profound:
“The legacy I am to build is one of good music and great talent.”
She’s not chasing virality. She’s cultivating something timeless—a sound, a platform, and a standard that will echo long after the spotlight shifts. Her focus on discovery, quality, and empowerment cements her role as a powerful culture-shifter in South African music.
Conclusion: The Sound of a Culture-Shifter
Legendary Crisp is more than just a DJ—she’s a curator, a mentor, and a visionary. Every set she plays, every artist she champions, and every boundary she pushes is a step toward a legacy that’s as enduring as it is impactful.
Whether she’s igniting YFM’s airwaves or introducing audiences to the next big sound, one thing is certain: when you hear Legendary Crisp, you’re hearing the future of South African music.
Follow Legendary Crisp online:
https://www.instagram.com/legendarycrisp
