Mamabearsteffs: 64 Year-old Dj Keeping Her Late Sons Memory Alive With Every Set

Its said that the strength of a mama bear is not measured in roars but in the quiet sacrifices made for her cubs.

Joy Steffens is the epitome of the aforementioned quote. Affectionately known as Mamabearsteffs, the 64 year-old took up the art of deejaying after the passing of her son, Dylan, who was an aspiring DJ and producer, to uniquely honour his desire and ambition for music.

The immense healing I found after his passing when I listened to music took away the pain in my heart as a mom, Mamabearsteffs told The Citizen .

Dylan was diagnosed with a very rare liver cancer and passed away at the age of 22 in 2016 before achieving his dreams in the music industry.

He hadnt started deejaying in front of crowds yet, but was just having fun and practicing with his friends who were deejays and when he was on his own at home (already diagnosed with cancer).

Dylan had taken up the moniker DJSteffs which Mamabearsteffs is derived from. This is why I call myself Mamabearsteffs I am the Mamabear and he was steffs.

Although her son hadnt reached the big time, the late 22 year-old was already carving out a name for himself in the disc jockeying space.

[He] did a mix on 5FM one night when Fix Moeti was still there.He didnt even tell me and when I turned around in bed I heard her say we have Djsteffs in the mix, Mamabearsteffs recalls laughing.

I sat up in bed, listened with all ears, and then called him and asked what I just heard. He laughed and said just a mix momhe was very humble, she said.

Mamabearsteffs has been an ardent music fan throughout her life but only went into deejaying after enrolling at the Pioneer Deejay School in 2018.

I think I just needed time to process what had happened and in 2018 I did my first mix. It was titled First time for Everything .

I literally have slept with 5FM in my ears my whole life and one day I heard a soccer fan (who was on the radio) do a mix. I thought it was so cool and I also want to learn how to do it, she shared.

A flood of emotions arrested her when she went into the institution.

I literally broke down in tears and thought if only Dylan could be here to see this, shared Mamabearsteffs.

I felt an incredible sense of belonging and when I got to the deejay school situated inside this huge complex I realised this is what I needed to do to keep Dylans dream alive.

The sense of belonging has remained, and her mixing skills have improved with time. Such is the sense of belonging that she has been embraced by renowned players in the industry, saying she now knows most if not all the DJs.

I have to say that I know almost every deejay in the industry as I always show my love for their talent on social media which I have always enjoyed, but dont let it rule my life, she said with the wisdom of a mother.

After she lost Dylan, Mamabearsteffs started doing mixes on various radio stations and this is when she got to know all the deejays.

I have met the most amazing deejays and producers and due to my age they have shown me the most incredible respect and love with hugs which has warmed my heart so much. I always joke to say my bank account is empty but my soul is full.

One of her favourite gigs in Shimzas Kunye and mentions the DJ from Tembisa as one of her darlings in how Shimza treated her at one of the Kunye shows.

He came to greet me and handed me a family band for access to the VIP area. Its so cute too when I bump into someone and they say oh my word, arent you gogo from Kunye? We love you.

Grammy award winning Black Coffee is someone thats also shown her love in the past.

My experience meeting Black Coffee for the first time was incredible and if my hands were ever trembling it was that day when he as deejaying in one of his stores, confessed Mamabearsteffs, who also met Euphonik the same day.

I have since met his mom when he deejayed at Fourways Mall. I just love going to support a DJ when they are playing at a festival or venue.

Chymasmusique is one of my favourite producers whom I met one evening at a listening session in Sandton with producer Jazzuelle.

Her enthusiasm for disc jockeying isnt a performative one, nor does is come off as a mid-life crisis. Its an actual appreciation of the music and th