TXC are challenging traditional ideas of what a DJ should look like behind the decks, with the South African duo explaining how dancing has become an important part of their live identity.
Speaking with Dotty on Apple Music 1, TXC discussed the evolution of DJ culture and the way their performances combine music, movement and audience energy.
For the duo, the approach is particularly significant because they operate in a space that has historically been dominated by men.
Clairise explained that female DJs have had to find ways to establish their own identities and command attention in an industry where men have traditionally occupied much of the space.
“We’re already in a male-dominated space. So now, you need to claim it as your own,” she said.
For TXC, that has meant allowing their personalities and performance styles to become part of the experience rather than simply standing behind the decks.
The duo’s energetic performances have often featured Tarryn dancing while Clairise handles the decks, something that has occasionally led people online to assume that Tarryn is not actively DJing.
Tarryn pushed back against that perception during the interview, describing herself as “the dancing DJ” and explaining that DJing and dancing are essentially a 50-50 combination for her.
She also pointed out that social media clips can create an incomplete picture of what happens during their performances. Fans may see a short video of her dancing without seeing the moments leading up to it, including her work behind the decks.
Clairise agreed, noting that viewers often see only a few seconds of a much longer performance. The duo deliberately shares the most energetic moments online, which can make it appear as though the dancing is separate from the DJing.
For Tarryn, however, the two are directly connected. She explained that whenever she moves to the front of the stage to dance, it is because she has played the song that is currently driving that moment.
The approach reflects TXC’s wider philosophy that DJ performances should continue to evolve. Clairise believes the culture has changed significantly and that DJs are no longer expected to simply stand behind their equipment throughout an entire set.
Their success with records such as “Nakuoenda” has also allowed the duo to push that identity further, blending their skills as DJs and producers with the visual energy of their performances.
As TXC prepare for their next major project, they appear determined to keep expanding what their audience expects from them. With new music reportedly on the way and potential collaborations with Wizkid and Jorja Smith, the duo’s evolution is continuing both in the studio and on stage.
For TXC, the dancing is not a distraction from the DJing. It is part of how they perform, connect with their audience and claim their own space within a rapidly changing Amapiano scene.