21 Questions for Lee Downs

At 20 he was the youngest breakfast jock on South African radio. He’s worked for Capital 604, Good Hope FM, P4 Cape Town and now he enjoys work at the newly launched Heart 104.9. It’s safe to say that Lee Downs has enjoyed a prolific and successful career as a radio DJ. It’s been over sixteen years since he got his first break into this competitive industry and he shows no sign of quitting any time soon.
Originally from Durban and now based in Cape Town, this talented DJ and host of “The Down-Lo” drive time show between 15:00 and 18:00 weekdays, took time out from the job he loves to answer a few questions.

First things first – biographical details:

Full Names : Lee Allister Downs
Nicknames : None now but was called Lee “Doggie” Downs before.
Date of birth : 21 January 1972

1. Where were you born and raised?
Sydenham and New Dawn Park, Durban.

2. Which schools did you attend?
Hillview High in Newlands East.

3. How would you describe your personality?
By nature I’m an introvert but professionally I’m an extrovert.

4. What were your ambitions / career goals while you were growing up?
Believe it or not I didn’t have any career goals when I was young. I just wanted to be a success.

5. Briefly describe your road to fame. How did you get your first break and end up at one of the biggest radio stations in Cape Town?
At 17, while I was in matric, I entered a competition “Give It A Go” on Capital 604. I worked at this station for a few years before moving to Cape Town. I did a stint at Good Hope FM before moving to P4. People I knew had been telling me that I had a good voice and should audition. And I did. Out of 5 000 entrants I won the competition.

6. What has been the defining moment in your career?
I wouldn’t say that there has been a specific defining moment in my life. Things have been pretty constant. I just try to be professional and stay a notch above the rest.

7. What was it like moving from Durban to Cape Town and how quickly did you adapt to the change?
When I first moved here I knew no one. I had one suitcase and a few Rand in my pocket. But I was lonely for only two days. I adapted immediately, plus there were lots of other new young DJs.

8. How do you get around town?
I drive a Mercedes Kompressor.

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9. What would you say was the most daring thing that you have ever done?
Professionally, I wouldn’t say I’ve done anything daring, though I always try to find the cusp between decency and trouble. The most physically daring thing I’ve done is go bungee jumping. That was definitely very daring for me.

10. What is the biggest high you get from your job, and what do you dislike about it the most?
The biggest high is being able to do what I enjoy everyday. There isn’t anything I dislike about my job – except that people assume they know you because you’re a radio DJ. A profession doesn’t define you. It’s what you do and not who you are.

11. Are there any local or international DJs that you would like to emulate?
This industry has really changed, and initially there were several DJs I admired: Oscar Renzi, Boogie Harry, Kevin Savage and of course, Alex Jay. Now radio has become a lot “younger” and urban.

12. Getting into the industry must be difficult. What advice do you have for up-and-coming local DJs who want to pursue this as a career?
The advice I would give is simple: Be yourself and create.

13. What can you tell us about the radio industry in South Africa?
I think the standard has dropped over the years. People see radio as the road to fame and fortune, so they get into this industry for the wrong reasons. They forget the number one rule of being a radio DJ: elocution; articulation is extremely important.

14. When you’re not working, what do you enjoy doing?
I used to enjoy the club scene – I owned two, Wazup? and Icon, so I’d spend time there, but I now prefer more laidback places. Lounges and bars rather than clubs

15. Which are your favourite places to hang out?
I enjoy Havana Bar. A friend of mine owns it. I also enjoy hanging out at Galaxy.

16. Where exactly in Cape Town are you based?
I live in Rondebosch.

17. As a DJ, what is your opinion of South African music as a whole, and what do you think is the biggest problem facing artists?
I think the music industry is growing in heaps and bounds. There is an amazing diversity of artists and musical talent. The problem doesn’t lie with the artists, as there isn’t a shortage of talent. It lies with the record companies who can’t seem to cope with or handle the variety of music in this country.

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18. Is you career going according to plan, is it beyond your wildest dreams or are there still things that you would like to accomplish?
The thing is I’m not a planner, things just happened. I’ve been blessed to have done what I have and enjoyed it too. I’m extremely happy with the way things have turned out, but then I always knew what my abilities were. I feel I’ve accomplished what I wanted to, and not by setting any specific goals for myself, just taking things as they come.

19. What are the perks of being a radio DJ?
There are many. This is a grand lifestyle – what with the free entrance to clubs, free music, meeting and interviewing talented musicians, I would definitely say that there are many perks.

20. What was the last CD you bought?
I haven’t bought any very recently. The last two were Al Green and The Cypress Hill greatest hits album.

21. And finally, what do you think of Bruinou.com – apart from asking you too many questions?
I think it’s brilliant. It’s a great forum for people who’ve been marginalized for so many years.