Kaznova

Born with a natural ear for music, love for beats and passion for mixing, Kasmario Ike Fankis, also known as Kaznova, thrives in all things music. Coming from Welkom, a small town in the Free State, South Africa. Kaznova knew that music is what he needed to do. At the age of 16 he discovered a new love for House Music and started collecting enormous amounts of records. He was inspired by many South African House DJs such as DJ Kent and Black Coffee.

Kaznova surrounded himself by like-minded people and people who would inspire him. He would attend events which he wanted to play at and study what and how the DJs would play so that he could go home and perfect his craft.

His thirst for music had not been fully satisfied and he knew he wanted to learn more. In 2010 Kaznova attended the Soul Candi Institute of Music where he studied Advanced Music Production and Music Business. This helped him understand the production side of the music industry. While studying at the Soul Candi Institute of Music he met and became good friends with a fellow DJ and Producer – Marcelo Ortiz – sharing the same taste and goals in music it was a natural decision for them to start working together.

In 2012 Kaznova entered the Strongbow/YFM DJ Mega Star Search competition and came in at second place. Later that year he won the TUT Blackberry Dj Search, he then joined the QHradio.nl family, based in the Netherlands, where he co-hosted the Essential Groove Radio Show with his Sole Groove Records partner, Marcelo Ortiz. They used this platform to showcase the best in South African House music. When joining the radio station, Kaznova joined forces with some brilliant and well respected DJs and Producers such as, Denz Devarez, Ralf Gum, Rasmus Faber, Lars Behrenroth and Justin Imperial.

In 2014 Kaznova produced a song for The Layders called Puff The Jones which rose to the number one spot on YurbanTop40 on YFM. Later that year Kaznova was signed by Baainar Records and now collaborates, produces and remixes for some of the best DJ’s in the South African industry. He has played with the likes of DJ Fresh, Black Coffee, DJ Tira, DJ Kent, Liquideep, Lulo Café and Euphonik. He has also worked with Juan Fierro, Infinite Boys, Cuebur, Chymamusique, Bob-ezy, Justin Chalice, Thandi Draai and The Layders. Some of his mixes have been aired on 5FM, on The Ultimix Weekend Edition and has also been featured on the Ultimix@6. A song he produced with Sammy Sosa in 2015 called Nguwe was also featured on DJ Fresh’s show on 5FM.

When Kaznova isn’t mixing, producing or making music he does corporate television presenting and is a voice over artist. A kindred and happy soul, he has always set his heart out on doing charity work. He enjoys inspiring and motivating the youth by encouraging them to pursue their dreams and teaching them about music.

At the ripe age of 24 the sky is the limit for this young and talented DJ. His exposure and list of successes can only be justified by his hard work and love for music. This is just the beginning of an exciting and successful journey into the music industry for Kaznova.