A DJ, short for Disc Jockey, is a live performer who mixes recorded music and plays for an audience at clubs, events or radio. The Nigerian music industry boasts several talented DJs, both male and female, but many of these DJs have taken to recording and releasing their own music, much like international DJs such as Calvin Harris, David Guetta, DJ Khaled, Mark Ronson and Avicii who all found immense success as recording artists and curators. Here are 8 successful Nigerian DJs who are also recording artists:
DJ Kaywise
The official DJ for Soundcity Nigeria, Ayorinde Kehinde Okiki or DJ Kaywise as he is popularly known started his DJ career in 2010. He has over 10,000 CD mixtapes and over 50 online mixtapes. DJ Kaywise became a recording artist in 2014 when he recorded his first song, “Feel Alryt” ft. Ice Prince, Mugeez and Patoranking. He has worked with stars like Tiwa Savage, Olamide, Zlatan, Naira Marley and Mayorkun among others. His latest single, “Highway” ft. Phyno topped music charts nationwide and gained the DJ more recognition in the Nigerian music scene.
DJ Cuppy
Florence Ifeoluwa Otedola is one of the few high profile female DJs in the Nigerian music industry, with a large following both at home and abroad. She was the resident DJ at the MTV African Music Awards in Durban in 2014 and was later named the official DJ for the 2015 Oil Barons Charity in Dubai. The talented DJ established Red Velvet Music Group, a music management and content production business in London in 2015. DJ Cuppy released her first studio single, “Green Light” ft. Tekno in 2017 and her debut album Original Copy in 2020. She has teamed up with several prominent artists like Sarkodie, Efya, Kwesi Arthur, L.A.X, Zlatan and Rema, to name a few.
DJ Spinall
Popular for his signature cap and dress sense, Oluseye Desmond Sodamola is a DJ that came to the fore in 2004 during his time as a radio DJ at Raypower FM. He was the official DJ to Wande Coal when Wande was signed to Mavin Records. DJ Spinall swerved towards recording his own music in 2014 when he founded the record label The CAPMusic and released his first hit single “Gba Gbe E” ft. Burna Boy. His preferred music genre ranges from afropop, hip-Hop and R&B to EDM (Electronic Dance Music). The stellar DJ released his debut album, My Story in 2015 and his second album, TEN featuring top Nigerian artists like Davido, Mr Eazi and Sauti Sol in 2016. He has released 3 more albums to date and has collaborated with artists such as Wizkid, Fireboy, Tiwa Savage and Omah Lay.
DJ Neptune
DJ Neptune, real name Imohiosen Patrick is one of the most recognisable names and faces in the Nigerian music scene. The multi-award-winning DJ and self-proclaimed “Music Messiah” started recording his own music as early as 2009 when he released “123” ft. M.I Abaga and a remix with Naeto C and Dagrin in 2010. DJ Neptune is predominantly a hip-hop, R&B, dancehall and afrobeat artist. His hit single, “Nobody” ft. Mr Eazi and Joeboy from his album Greatness ??: The Sounds of Neptune, won The Headies Award for Best Pop Single and Song of the Year and was the number 1 on the TurnTable Charts’ End of Year chart for 2020.
DJ Enimoney
The official DJ for YBNL Nation, Eniola Olamilekan Adedeji, is a disc jockey and recording artist who gained prominence as a recording artist in 2016 after releasing his debut single “Oya Dab” ft. Olamide, who also happens to be his older brother. In 2018, his single with Tiwa Savage and Slimcase, “Diet”, won the City People Music Award for “Best Collaboration of the Year”. He released his hit single, “Sugar Daddy” ft. Olamide in 2021.
DJ Jimmy Jatt
Popular for his “Jimmy Jump Off” concert among other things, Oluwaforijimi Adewale Amu is a DJ and recording artist with 3 albums and numerous mixtapes to his name. The outstanding DJ actually began his music career as a rapper, switched to DJ-ing but went back to recording music once he’d found his place in the industry. He has collaborated with the likes of Burna Boy, Wizkid, Davido, Flavour, CDQ, Olamide, Lil Kesh, Mr. Eazi, Skales, 2Face and Buju.
DJ Big N
Nonso Temisan Ajufo is a recording artist and official DJ to Mavin Records. As a DJ, he released several mixtapes including the popular Mavin All Stars mixtape. He has worked with prominent artists such as Reekado Banks, Iyanya, Rema, Don Jazzy, Mr Eazi and Kizz Daniel on his singles as a recording artist. In 2017, DJ Big N featured Dr Sid and Wizkid in his hit single, “Erima”. His latest single, “Aje” was released in May 2021 and features a newcomer to the scene, Remy Crown.
DJ Xclusive
Nigerian Entertainment’s “World’s Best DJ 2010”, Rotimi Alakija, popularly known as DJ Xclusive is a recording artist and one time official DJ for Cool FM. He was once the official DJ to Wizkid during his time at Empire Mates Entertainment (EME). He gained popularity as a recording artist in 2013 after releasing the single titled “Ibebe” ft. Olamide. He recently jumped on the “Cut Soap” trend and released a single featuring Rulerboy. Today, DJ Xclusive has amassed a large social media following of more than 2 million people.
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