REMEMBERING DJ WARRAS
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- December 16, 2025
South Africa’s music and broadcasting fraternity is reeling after the tragic killing of Warrick Stock, popularly known as DJ Warras, a respected radio personality, television presenter, and cultural contributor whose voice helped shape urban music conversations for over a decade.
DJ Warras was fatally shot on Tuesday afternoon, 16 December, in Johannesburg’s Central Business District, opposite the Carlton Centre. According to police and multiple media reports, he had just parked his vehicle when he was approached by unknown suspects who opened fire before fleeing the scene on foot. Emergency responders arrived shortly thereafter, but he was declared deceased at the scene. The motive for the killing remains unknown, and the investigation is ongoing.
The daylight nature of the attack, in one of the busiest parts of the city, has sent shockwaves across the country, reigniting concerns around safety in public spaces and the increasing vulnerability of figures in the creative industries.
A Journey Rooted in Passion and Persistence
Born in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, DJ Warras was raised by his grandparents and his mother, a grounding that would later shape his humility and work ethic. As a teenager, he moved to Johannesburg, a turning point that would define his professional path.
His broadcasting career officially began at YFM in 2008, where he started on the graveyard shift. Through consistency, discipline, and undeniable on-air presence, he worked his way up to daytime radio, eventually co-hosting Prime Mode with Shady Lurker by 2010. It was here that audiences began to experience his sharp insights, infectious energy, and ability to connect music with broader cultural narratives.
In 2012, DJ Warras joined SABC1’s Live Amp, one of South Africa’s most influential music magazine shows. His role on television expanded his reach, allowing him to bridge radio, TV, and youth culture seamlessly. He later became part of The Man Cave on SABC3 in 2016, further cementing his versatility as a presenter.
His radio journey also included a stint at 5FM, after which he made a conscious decision to step back in 2016 to focus more on television work and his family. A devoted father to three sons, DJ Warras often spoke about fatherhood as one of his greatest motivations.
He Was More Than a DJ
DJ Warras was never just a selector of songs. He was a storyteller, a culture driver, and a bridge between mainstream broadcasting and underground movements. His work consistently amplified local talent, interrogated industry dynamics, and celebrated South African music in all its forms.
Colleagues and friends have described him as warm, compassionate, honest, and deeply committed to the people around him. He was known for speaking his mind, sometimes controversially, but always with conviction and authenticity.
Part of a Disturbing Pattern
DJ Warras’ killing adds to a deeply troubling trend that has haunted South Africa’s music industry over the past five years. A number of DJs and MCs have been shot, many fatally, in what police have often described as targeted attacks.
The murder of DJ Citi Lyts in Soweto in February 2022 marked one of the most painful losses. Weeks later, DJ Vintos was gunned down outside a nightclub, also in Soweto. In November 2022, the assassination of DJ Sumbody in Sandton sent shockwaves across the entertainment world, later becoming linked to other high-profile cases.
The violence continued into 2024 with the killing of Pretoria-based DJ Skinny Deep in Soshanguve, while fellow entertainer DJ Vetty survived a separate shooting in Tshwane. Veteran MC Peter Mashata Mabuse was also killed after a performance, once again in Soshanguve.
Artists, promoters, and broadcasters have repeatedly raised alarm about what appears to be a pattern, attacks carried out with chilling precision, leaving families, fans, and the industry searching for answers.
A Loss That Echoes Beyond Music
The passing of DJ Warras is not just the loss of a media personality; it is the loss of a voice, a mentor, and a connector in South Africa’s cultural ecosystem. His death underscores the urgent need for deeper conversations around safety, accountability, and the protection of creatives who contribute so profoundly to national identity and youth expression.
As investigations continue, what remains undeniable is the impact DJ Warras had, on airwaves, on screens, and in the lives of those who listened, watched, and learned from him.
At Yanos Plug, we honour DJ Warras for his contribution to South African music and broadcasting, and we extend our deepest condolences to his family, his children, his colleagues, and everyone whose life he touched.
His voice may be silenced, but his influence will continue to echo.
Rest in Power, DJ Warras.
