The Engineering of a Groove: The Meteoric Rise of Deejay Nivaadh Singh

In the coastal city of Richards Bay, South Africa, a unique metamorphosis occurs every weekend. Nivaadh Jeeth Singh spends his weekdays navigating the high-stakes precision of the mechanical engineering sector, but when the sun sets, he steps behind a console to become Deejay Nivaadh Singh. He is no longer just a professional in a technical field; he is the conductor of a global orchestra that reaches over 71,000 followers across 60 countries.

His journey from a R40 second-hand mixer to international stages in Auckland represents a masterclass in resilience, faith, and the power of an unconventional dream.

The Cardboard Foundation

Every icon has a definitive starting point. For Nivaadh, that moment arrived in 2007. During a particularly trying season of his youth, he found sanctuary in faith and discovered a natural rhythm while attending drumming lessons at a local church. While he lacked the means to purchase a professional drum kit, he refused to let a lack of resources stifle his progress.

Nivaadh engineered his own solution by using cardboard boxes for drums and used pencils for sticks. He practiced until his hands knew the beats by heart, establishing a "MacGyver" spirit that would eventually define his entry into the world of DJing. His first setup was far from a high-end Pioneer rig. Instead, it consisted of two humble DVD players and a a modest second-hand mixer, all connected to a standard television.

This era was about more than just making do; it was the birth of a discipline. He learned to feel the music through the gear rather than relying on it. During these early years, his fascination with the energy of performance was truly ignited. He often traces this spark back to the moment he first heard Whitney Houston’s It’s Not Right, But It’s Okay, a song that revealed how music could fundamentally transform an atmosphere.

The Dual Identity: Engineering Precision Meets Musical Passion

What sets Nivaadh apart in a saturated market is the fascinating duality of his life. Holding heavy-duty certifications such as SAIW Welding Inspector and Process Plant Inspector, he thrives in a professional world defined by millimeters and structural integrity.

While some might see engineering and music as opposing forces, Nivaadh views them as complementary. He believes that one fuels his creativity while the other ensures his execution. This technical background has become the secret weapon behind his livestream success. He does not simply go live; he optimizes his environment. He troubleshoots complex audio-visual signal chains and designs custom studio environments with the same precision he applies to a process plant. In his world, a perfect transition between two tracks is as much a feat of engineering as it is a work of art.

#FTLOM: Bringing the Club to the Living Room

Long before livestreaming became a global necessity, Nivaadh recognized a significant gap in the entertainment market. He noticed that many supporters were excluded from the nightlife scene due to financial constraints, safety concerns, or family responsibilities. Driven by a desire to make music accessible, he launched #FTLOM (For The Love Of Music) on December 24, 2019.

When the pandemic forced the world into isolation months later, the rest of the industry scrambled to figure out digital performances, but Nivaadh was already miles ahead. Every Friday and Saturday night, he became a beacon of normalcy for families across the globe. The sheer scale of this impact is evident in his reach, having produced over 500 episodes to date. At peak moments, his streams have seen more than 8,000 devices connected simultaneously, translating to an estimated 30,000 viewers as entire families transform their lounges into private dance floors.

Today, #FTLOM has evolved into a comprehensive brand. It now includes #FTLOM Outreach, which supports orphanages and animal shelters, as well as #FTLOM On Air, a podcast dedicated to music education. The brand has even expanded into the competitive world of horse racing under DJ Nivaadh Singh Racing, alongside the launch of an official online merchandise store.

A Legacy in a Mashup: "Chandi Jaisa Rang X Stand By Me"

A deeply personal creative project saw Nivaadh bring his heritage into the modern world. In 1991, his father attended a Pankaj Udhas concert in Swaziland, and from that point forward, Udhas’ velvet voice became the soundtrack of the Singh home.

In a moment of instinctive creativity, Nivaadh decided to bridge his heritage with contemporary sounds. In a single day, he produced a mashup of Udhas’ Chandi Jaisa Rang and Ben E. King’s Stand By Me. It is a seamless fusion that vibrates with emotion, bringing the nostalgia of South African Indian households together with the universal comfort of an American classic. The accompanying visuals draw inspiration from vintage footage of Udhas, serving as a time machine that proves the soul of a melody is truly timeless.

The Team Behind the Tech

While Nivaadh leads the brand publicly, but he is quick to acknowledge the infrastructure that supports him. His wife, Fiona Khan, serves as the operational heartbeat of the brand. She oversees the operational precision behind every livestream and live event, ensuring consistency and excellence across the brand.

Supported by a dedicated administration team and high-profile sponsors like CFAO Mobility (VW Ballito & The Glen), Nivaadh has transformed a personal passion into a multi-disciplinary empire. At 38, he stands as proof that it does not matter if you start with cardboard or carbon fiber. As long as you have the resilience to keep playing, the world will eventually tune in.