Johannesburg - He may not yet have mastered the art of signing autographs but a 3-year-old DJ, known as “Arch Junior”, from Alexandra township, is ready to take the world by storm.
Oratilwe Arch Junior, who rose to stardom in December last year after a video of him mixing a popular house tune went viral, has been announced as the youngest entrant on reality TV show, SA’s Got Talent.
The competition is set to kick off in two weeks, and AJ will be unveiling his first single with popular house artists Black Motion during the event.
He may be only 3, but Arch Junior is no stranger to fame.
So the possibility of stage fright is of little concern to Arch and his parents, Glen and Refilwe Madumo.
“As parents we are so proud and can’t wait to see how he will perform since he is the youngest act,” said Glen.
“We are not really worried at all as we have nothing to lose. He loves what he does and we only entered him just to express his talent and obviously have fun while doing it.”
Glen admits his son loves playing for a crowd.
“He enjoys playing to a crowd (but) we don’t have any expectations whatsoever.
“As most people say, ‘what if he starts crying on stage?’
“He is 3 years old and little kids do cry now and again.
“It is common, so if he cries, it is fine.
“To us he will always be our superstar no matter how his performance goes. There is no pressure since he doesn’t understand how a competition works any way,” says Glen.
While his parents have no expectations of Arch, they have no doubt that he will turn heads at the competition.
“A lot of people seem to love and support Arch in everything he does, so I’m sure he will shake up the stage a little.
“We are going there to throw a party.”
Aside from becoming the youngest entrant on SA’s Got Talent, Arch has been making waves in the music world.
In May this year, the youngster played his first international gig at Botswana’s Annual Kid Festival.
“Botswana was amazing. People really loved him and couldn’t believe someone his age could actually do the things he does.
“Everyone was so welcoming and when he got on the stage he lit it up like he always does, so they want to have him there every year.
“They want him to be the face of the festival.”
According to Arch’s parents, Bow Wow, Keri Hilson, The Game and Missy Elliot are among the international superstars who have hailed their son for his star quality.
“What AJ has achieved and is still achieving makes me so proud, it is still so unbelievable.
“Everything happened so fast and we weren’t ready for this and didn’t see it coming. However, everyone at home is super proud of him.
“It feels great to have a mini-star in the family.”
The youngster can also be seen on several billboards in Joburg. He features in the new Jungle Oats advert.
“We know of two billboards that are up – one on the N1 highway just before the Malibongwe off-ramp heading to Sandton and the other in Soweto.
“I am sure there are more but I’m not sure where,” says Glen.
Two months ago, AJ recorded his first single with popular house artists Black Motion.
In the track set to be released soon, AJ played the drums – one of his many developing talents.
“The single is still under construction.
“The plan is hopefully to have him playing it on the SA’s Got Talent show, so we will give the exact date when everything is finalised.
“However, I must say it is hot.”
The hopeful dad adds that his son’s next high note could be to make it into the Guinness Book of World Records.
Saturday Star