The winter chill that gripped Mbabane on Friday night was no match for the warmth created inside 23:28 Lounge,
where deep house enthusiasts gathered for another successful edition of Rhythm & Groove, an intimate music session headlined by celebrated South African DJ and producer Dustinho.
Hosted by NewLife Entertainment, the event attracted a healthy turnout of music lovers who braved the cold to enjoy an evening dedicated to soulful deep house music.
The venue was transformed into a cosy entertainment space, with patrons filling every available seat as they immersed themselves in carefully curated sets from some of Eswatini’s leading DJs before the headline act took over.
The event reaffirmed Rhythm & Groove’s growing reputation as one of Mbabane’s premier platforms for lovers of authentic deep house music, blending local talent with internationally recognised performers. 
Long before the headline performance, local DJs ensured that the atmosphere remained lively throughout the evening.
The line-up featured DJ Cup, Mixmash, Fantacy, DJ Cybos, Keisy and Slotta, each delivering soulful and uplifting sets that kept the audience entertained and dancing despite the freezing temperatures outside.
As the evening progressed, anticipation steadily built for the arrival of Dustinho, who stepped behind the decks at exactly 11 pm.
The South African selector immediately connected with the audience, taking them on a musical journey through smooth basslines, soulful melodies and rhythmic grooves that have become synonymous with his performances.
For nearly an hour, patrons responded enthusiastically as Dustinho blended deep house classics with contemporary productions, creating an immersive musical experience that had revellers dancing, singing and swaying to every beat.
His set was widely regarded as one of the defining moments of the evening, complementing the solid foundation laid by the local DJs earlier in the night.
Speaking after the event, NewLife Entertainment representative DJ Cup, expressed satisfaction with both the turnout and the atmosphere throughout the night.
“It went well. The seats were full, and it was great. It was a cosy session, although it was cold.
We are happy with how everything came together, and having Dustinho take over the decks at 11 pm was definitely one of the highlights of the night,” he said.
He noted that the objective of Rhythm & Groove has always been to provide music lovers with a quality, intimate entertainment experience where deep house takes centre stage. Friday night’s event, he said, achieved exactly that.
Unlike larger music festivals that often focus on spectacle, Rhythm & Groove prides itself on creating a relaxed environment where patrons can appreciate carefully selected music while socialising in a comfortable setting.
The intimate layout of 23:28 Lounge contributed significantly to the evening’s success, with guests seated close to the performance area, allowing for greater interaction between the DJs and the audience.
Born Tshepang Ntsala, the South African artist has established himself as one of the country’s respected deep house DJs, producers and songwriters through years of dedication to the genre.
A self-taught musician, Dustinho began his DJ career at the age of 14, developing a distinctive soulful style that would later earn him recognition from one of South Africa’s house music pioneers, Vinny Da Vinci.
His career received a significant boost after Vinny Da Vinci began featuring Dustinho’s remixes during his performances,
introducing the young producer’s work to wider audiences across the country.
Since then, Dustinho has steadily built an impressive catalogue of original productions and collaborative projects.
Among his notable releases are For The Time Being EP, Once Every Blue Moon and Keep It Healthy,
projects that have helped cement his reputation within the Southern African deep house community.
Throughout his career, he has collaborated with respected artists including Chymamusique,
Tebza De SouL and Brian Temba, further strengthening his standing as one of the genre’s consistent performers.
