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Rising star Dee Baretoe is quickly carving out his niche as a DJ who blends deep house with the gritty soul of Kasi Flava. From his early beginnings in Bulawayo to commanding dance floors in Harare’s underground music spaces, Dee Baretoe’s journey is one of passion, perseverance, and a relentless pursuit of craft. For potential bookers and fans alike, his story offers an exciting glimpse into the creative force shaping Zimbabwe’s house music landscape.
Dee Baretoe’s relationship with music began at age 12, during his sixth-grade year in Bulawayo. Drawn to the pulsing beats of house music and the genre-bending artistry of DJs like Tiësto, Swedish House Mafia, and DJ Fresh, he quickly developed a sharp ear for what worked on the dance floor. “I can’t pinpoint exactly how it started,” he reflects, “but I found myself obsessively exploring what was popping in the music space.”
The real turning point came when he befriended two of his brother’s friends. Their eclectic music tastes ignited his passion, and he became known among peers for his knack for curating standout playlists. “They’d always tell me, ‘Your taste is different,’ and that made me think, maybe I’m onto something here,” he says. A chance encounter at a home studio introduced him to the art of DJing, setting the wheels in motion for what would soon become a promising career.
Dee Baretoe describes his sound as “expensive” – a deep, soulful house with a raw edge of Kasi Flava. It’s a vibe that melds underground energy with polished rhythms, capturing both the grit and elegance of his upbringing. While house music remains his primary focus, he doesn’t shy away from experimenting with hip-hop and Afrobeat when the moment calls for it. “Music is limitless,” he says, “and I’m always open to trying new things.”
Like many artists, Dee Baretoe can trace his career milestones to key performances that solidified his place in the industry. At just 13, he played at Club 747’s crossover event in Bulawayo, sharing the stage with established DJs in front of a packed crowd. “It was surreal,” he recalls. “I didn’t realize how big of a deal it was at the time, but looking back, it was the start of everything.”
More recently, performing at the Afrobeyond Anniversary Show marked a major turning point. Sharing the stage with seasoned DJs like Tapiwa and Ryan Synth was a moment of validation, but it was the crowd’s ecstatic response to his set that left an indelible mark. “They were fully in it,” he says. “It was one of those nights where everything clicked.”
Dee Baretoe’s creative process is rooted in relentless exploration. He spends hours consuming diverse genres, meticulously experimenting with mixes. “Even on bad days, I’ll push out at least five mixes,” he shares. His sets are a blend of exclusives and carefully selected tracks, often punctuated by a cappella breaks that draw the crowd in with nostalgia and energy.
Collaboration also fuels his artistry. Whether in the studio with fellow creatives like BabaTaks and Kudzi SSKD or working with collectives like Authorz Zw, Deebaretoe thrives in environments that inspire experimentation and growth.
Breaking into Zimbabwe’s DJ scene hasn’t been without its challenges. In Harare, the market often skews toward established names, making it tough for emerging artists to find gigs. But with the support of platforms like Sebenza Sound Systems and AfroBeyond, Dee Baretoe has managed to carve out opportunities. “It’s about proving yourself, set after set,” he says.
Convincing audiences to embrace new sounds has also been a learning curve. “Some event planners dictate what the crowd wants, which can be limiting,” he admits. But when given creative freedom, like at Solo’s events, Dee Baretoe shines, bringing an electrifying and authentic energy to the decks.
Dee Baretoe has ambitious plans to push his artistry even further. Original music is on the horizon, alongside fresh mixtapes on his YouTube channel. He’s also laying the groundwork for a Boiler Room-style solo event in Harare, with hopes of taking the show to his hometown of Bulawayo.
For potential bookers, a Dee Baretoe set promises more than just music; it’s an experience. “I want people to feel like they need my craft without realizing it,” he says. His sets are a masterclass in blending exclusivity with accessibility, creating a vibe that resonates long after the music fades.
As he continues to make waves, Dee Baretoe is not just a DJ – he’s a cultural movement, amplifying Zimbabwe’s house music story one beat at a time.
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