Based: Cape Town
Born in the mother city- Cape Town, His roots hometown Bonteheuwel. DJ Ashton Abels is one of SA’s most naturally gifted DJs and producers. The Capetonian is a music scholar who’s established himself as one of the true leaders of the South African music industry. His passion for music traces back to when he was only 7 years old experimenting with cassette players and turntables and his unmatched level of skill eventually earned him the reputation of being a ‘technical genius behind the decks’ and has made him one of the most sought- after DJs in the country.
Back in 1998 Ashton Abels flipped the script and earned a spot on on-campus community radio ( UCT RADIO 104.5fm ) playing radio slots around the clock from the graveyard to afternoon drive which got him into his own Saturday afternoon dance radio show. With this show, he flipped the standard of just being a normal radio DJ to add DJ skill behind the production of his show. This show gave many local artists and deejays in and around the Cape Town platform.
With this show setting a unique trend in radio Ashton Abels was spotted by many other commercial radio station DJs and nightclubs around South Africa to play slots.
Back in 2010, his talent caught the attention of the legendary Tiesto, who invited him to be the opening act for his SA tour – an achievement many a DJ can only dream of, while some of the other big names Abels has shared the stage with include Steve Silk Hurley, Cut Creator and hip-hop icon Snoop Dogg.
The ‘technical genius’ is the co-founder of Prestige Radio – an internal radio station initially created for factory workers of the TFG (The Foschini Group), the station is currently being made accessible to the company’s call-center employees and eventually to all its stores nationwide.
Ashton is a regular DJ on the popular Good Hope FM Saturdays, 5fm popular vinyl mix on Sunday nights, and Metro FM monthly urban beat vinyl mix, entertaining listeners with world-class mixes. He’s also a resident DJ at Strolla in Cape Town -a stylish sundowner spot, ideally located on Sea Point’s wind-free Platinum Mile and Manga on Mouille Point setting the mood with an ocean breeze. Jamming to the corporate sundowners at Slug & Lettuce Century City on Fridays. Back to the soul vibes at The Protea Fire & Ice Hotel by Marriott Cape Town.
In May 2020 Ashton joined an online radio in the UK – London – Injectionradio.com with two rocking shows on Thursdays and Sundays. He then furthers his craft to another UK-based online radio station called HOUSE FUSION RADIO dropping all the disco funk beats.
Despite all his success, the acclaimed DJ realizes the importance of giving back, hence he’s founded SomethingGoodSundays, a non-profit charity organization that hosts events to feed the needy.
These take place in Cape Town and Johannesburg to give up-and-coming musicians a platform to promote their work, while the money generated from these events is used to feed the less advantaged.
Brands Associated With:
Reebok SA (Brand Ambassador) 2012 – 2013
Deep Settle (Brand Ambassador) 2013
Canterbury SA (Brand Ambassador) 2010 – 2011
Hi-tec SA (Brand Ambassador) 2016 to date
Sync (Brand Ambassador) 2009 – 2013
Audi Technica\Numark (Brand Ambassador) 2016 to date
Akai Pro DJ (Brand Ambassador) 2016 to date
Denon Pro DJ (Brand Ambassador_ 2016 to date
Erke SA (Brand Ambassador) 2012 – 2014
Swagg SA (Brand Ambassador) 2016 to date
= Duca Del Cosma Africa – Brand Ambassador
To name a few Career Highlights
Playing at the Smirnoff Global Experience in 2010
Being selected by the Legendry Tiesto to open for him during his SA tour in 2010
Being the headlining DJ at 2010/2011/2012/2013 J&B
Being part of 5FM’s Ultimix at 6 with the legendary DJ Fresh 5 times in 2009
Doing the Metro FM “Weekend lock downmix” from 2009 to Date
Headlining Good Hope FM Events from 2009 – 2013
– Opening act for Snoop Dogg SA tour – Cape Town concert
