THE DJS’ RENDEZVOUS: A SPOT LIGHT ON OUTSTANDING DISC JOCKEYS IN AKWA IBOM STATE

Who’s the fool having a party without a D J? Of course there isn’t. You can have a party without musicians, but without music, never. Ace Disc Jockeys argue the fact that the act of mixing music started way before rap. In their argument they explained how the DJ kept playing music at street parties and the audience gets bored at some point in time, they needed to do some hype, the hype man is the rapper who uses his or her lyrical prowess in the process, then they discovered that after listening to a whole lot of music...

they can take sides and kick freestyles-which is what we now know as rap.

However the case maybe, some 40 years ago, not many would have thought that one can make a living from playing music to entertain people. In Nigeria, the pioneer DJs like Jimmy Jatt, Grand Master Lee are renowned, making a fortune from what they love to do, and over the years, new DJs like Humility and others have added artistry to creativity.

According to DJ Jimmy Jatt; a DJ is someone who has acquired the skill of mixing music, and is able to read the mind of people to know what music they want at a particular time.

DJing is not a recent profession; it came into existence 40 years ago. Many years after, many have made a fortune from the profession, inspiring many others to join the train, whether rappers are doing better than DJs… I am yet to look into that.

In this part of Nigeria, (Uyo-Akwa Ibom state) there are quite a tangible number of Disc Jockeys who have carved a niche for themselves, and as an entertainment writer, in view of bringing about an overall development in all sectors of the entertainment industry like what is happening in music and movies, we turn the spotlight on to these set of people who dedicate their lives to music mixing, looking at what stands them out compared to the million fishes in the river of DJs in Akwa Ibom.  

DJ DOLLIE POPMAN

L-R: J Martins, DJ Dollie Popman & Timaya

Who’s the fool having a party without a D J? Of course there isn’t, and that is the inspiration behind his venture into the DJ world, when he began his career at age 19.

Years after, I don’t think he has ever regretted his choice of profession, he now flies first class to any country of his choice and he is the official man behind the sound you hear at all major Akwa Ibom state functions, who in this present administration has been upgraded to the level of a Personal Assistant on Protocol by recommendation from Aniepkeno Mkpanang-Director of Protocol to Akwa Ibom state government.

I welcome you to the digital world of His Royal Soulness, the CEO-Beatzone Inc., D J Dollie Popman, da Duke of da hardest jamz on radio in South-South Nigeria. For years now, he has been the anchor of the Hilltop Safari show every Thursday, 11am on AKBC 90.5FM, and now Personal Assistant on Protocol to the Governor of Akwa Ibom state.

DJ SUNNY BEN

DJ Sunny Ben’s experience on the wheels of steel has eventually paid off, keeping him on top of his game as the pioneer President of Akwa Ibom State DJ Association, he hails from Itam in Itu LGA. He started way back at the famous Dreams Nite Club in Port-Harcourt then over to Hero’s World here in Uyo, he has played for 8 outstanding clubs across Nigeria.

DJ Sunny Ben is an award winning DJ, he has to his credit Gold &Tones 2002 Road Show Award, Abuja, and in 2006 he won the south-south’s best DJ award. He is currently the charter & resident DJ at popular, exclusive, celebrity hang-out in Uyo-2^nd Baze.

DJ PEEJAY

He is a graduate of Economics from the University of Uyo and a showbiz entrepreneur, CEO Groove Theory Entertainment, DJs at Atlantic FM, he is Vice President of Akwa Ibom DJs association, as a rap act he is making history in the South-South by compiling tracks for his soon to be released album which features frontline artistes like L-Jesus, Zillions and Ill Rhymes amongst others.

A native of the oil city-Eket; Peace Johnson a.k.a DJ Pee Jay is one of the pioneer DJs and is outstanding amongst other DJs in Akwa Ibom for two simple reasons; in Uyo, he was the one that started mixing CDs for listening pleasure in cars, clubs and bars, also because he doubles as a rap act who has a world class video from Eddie Brendan’s Creative Nigerian Studios for his smashing hit single-Cheap Swagger.

DJ SPINDEEDS

DJ Spindeeds a.k.a Spinmatics believes that no hype is a waste, so he appreciates the love showed him from fans who listen to him play on Atlantic FMs House Party with Kabash every Wednesday.

He is the C.E.O Rhymes Entertainment Studios, Spindeeds has been spinning the wheels for 7 years, and he is a native of Afaha Affiong in Nsit Ibom, born on the 13^th of November, the current in house DJ at Ballaman Bar in Ikot Abasi.

His creativity won the heart of Kabash, on-air personality and presenter of House Party so he was selected amongst many to spin the wheels during the program which designed to get the party people dancing.