Oh Ship turns 15: DJ Fresh and Euphonik unveil epic anthem ‘Celebrate’ for South Africa’s ultimate party at sea

For over a decade, Oh Ship has been more than a music festival - it’s been a movement.

This December, the floating festival co-founded by DJ Fresh (Thato Sikwane), Euphonik (Themba Nkosi) and Tracey Marcus celebrates its 15th voyage, marking 15 years of music, friendship and unforgettable memories at the sea. 

What began as a casual idea among friends has become a national phenomenon.

More than 37,000 South Africans have boarded the ship over the years, joined by 240 DJs, 45 comedians and countless fans who return again and again for the unique mix of music, laughter and community.

Every voyage, including the sold-out 2025 edition, has filled its decks months before departure. 

The milestone year brings two major highlights: the release of Oh Ship’s first official anthem, “Celebrate”, produced by Fresh and Euphonik, and a 15-year retrospective honouring the artists, comedians and loyal fans who have turned an experiment into a legacy.

“The idea started as a joke between friends,” Fresh said. 

“We were talking about doing something different - taking the South African party experience somewhere no one had imagined. Someone said, ‘Oh sh*t, imagine a party on a ship,’ and that turned into ‘Oh Ship’. From there, it just took off.”

Euphonik recalled the first voyage as “a once-in-a-lifetime adventure.” None of them expected it to last beyond that first trip. 

“We thought, if we can pull this off once, that’ll be amazing,” he said. “But the energy onboard, the way people connected - it was lightning in a bottle. After that, we knew we had something special.”

Over the years, Oh Ship’s decks have featured South Africa’s most influential DJs and entertainers, from Sun-El Musician and Mo Flava to Ayanda MVP, Vinny Da Vinci and Dino Bravo.

The comedy line-up has been just as strong, with Skhumba Hlophe, Celeste Ntuli and Ndumiso Lindi turning the nights at the sea into sold-out laughter sessions.

Every voyage transforms MSC Cruises’ luxury liner into a 72-hour festival at sea - a blend of music, sunsets and shared energy. 

“Oh Ship is about the people,” said Marcus.

“The vibe, the sense of family, the freedom - that’s what keeps people coming back. Every trip feels like a reunion at the sea. You see old faces, meet new ones, and everyone’s there for the same reason: to celebrate life.”

For the founders, reaching 15 voyages is both a personal and professional milestone. 

“It’s been one of the most rewarding journeys of our lives,” said Fresh.

“We’ve seen this community grow from a few hundred friends to tens of thousands of loyal Oh Shippers who plan their year around it. It’s proof that when passion, creativity and consistency meet, magic happens.”

Running a festival at the sea is not without its challenges. 

“You’re building a world-class event on a moving venue in the middle of the ocean,” Euphonik explained.

“From artist scheduling and sound to customs and weather - everything requires precision. But after 15 voyages, we’ve got an incredible team and a strong partnership with MSC Cruises that lets us keep raising the bar.”

This year’s anthem, “Celebrate”, embodies that spirit. 

“We wanted to capture the essence of what Oh Ship stands for - joy, unity and the celebration of life,” said Fresh. 

“The song is uplifting and feel-good, just like the energy on board. It’s our way of saying thank you to everyone who’s been part of this story.”

As they prepare for the 15th voyage, the founders are focused not just on celebration but on legacy.

“We want Oh Ship to inspire future generations of artists and fans,” said Fresh.

“It’s proof that local ideas can have a global impact. The legacy we want to leave is one of connection - between artists, audiences and generations. That shared joy and energy, that’s the true spirit of Oh Ship.”